Steadfast and Loyal
Obama Exceeded His Authority
Under The Constitution
Under The Constitution
Allen West —As you all recall, back in 2008 then-Senator Obama stated “We are five days away from fundamentally transforming the United States” — and the crowd cheered. My, what a difference six years makes, but better late than never.There have been far too many lies, deceptions, scandals, and actions contrary to our established rule of law. There have been countless instances of “prosecutorial discretion” to explain the selective enforcement of laws, which are not in concert with the ideology of President Obama.
And finally Americans are concerned.
As reported by Fox News, “Majorities of American voters think President Barack Obama exceeded his authority with recent executive actions on immigration — and are worried he may be permanently altering the system of checks and balances established by the Constitution.”
“That’s according to a new Fox News poll released Wednesday. By an 8-point margin, more voters disapprove (51 percent) than approve (43 percent) of the specific policy changes Obama made that will, among other things, allow millions of illegal immigrants to remain temporarily in the United States to work. Meanwhile, nearly three quarters think this easing of immigration laws will encourage more people to enter the country illegally (74 percent). That includes 50 percent who believe Obama’s actions are “very likely” to result in more people illegally entering the U.S. Even more voters are unhappy with how Obama made these changes. By a 60-38 percent margin, voters disapprove of the president bypassing Congress to change how the government deals with illegal immigration.”
The Fox News poll was based on landline and cell phone interviews with 1,043 randomly chosen registered voters nationwide and was conducted under the joint direction of Democrat and Republican-leaning polling companies and included additional interviews (an oversample) of Hispanics. You can see the full results here.
While some subscribe to the Gwyneth Paltrow school of constitutional governance — just let the president do what he wants – most of this country is disturbed when it comes to a reckless and lawless executive branch. It actually has less to do with Obama but rather a future precedent being established.
This is a Republic with a representative democracy and the enumerated powers vested in the executive branch are minimal — almost non-existent. Based on the writings of Montesquieu in his work “The Spirit of the Laws” — our Constitution’s architect, James Madison, weaved into the fabric of our three coequal branches of government and a system of checks and balances to ensure that one did not overrun another. And of course coming from under a monarchial system, restraints a were placed on the executive to ensure the focus was on governing — not ruling.
Apparently Americans are waking up to the difference. The consent of the governed was evidenced this past midterm election — albeit an almost defiant and dismissive President Obama claimed to hear the two-thirds of Americans who did not vote.
“According to the survey, a 54-percent majority thinks Obama “exceeded his authority” under the Constitution by making the immigration changes unilaterally, while 38 percent say he “acted within his authority.” The poll goes on to ask what such actions mean for the country in the long term and finds more than two-thirds — 68 percent of voters — are concerned Obama’s use of executive orders and unilateral actions may be “permanently altering” our country’s system of checks and balances. That includes 42 percent of Democrats, 72 percent of independents and 93 percent of Republicans.”
It must be alarming — I would think it is — to the Obama administration that 42 percent of Democrats are now concerned about the “fundamental transformation” when it comes to our vaunted system of checks and balances. Even more so, in the arena of politics, the subsequent Democrat candidates for president have to be worried about such poll results. How will they maneuver the dangerous waters of distancing themselves from the rejected policies and actions of Barack Obama?
However, Hispanic voters, who are almost twice as likely as white voters to approve of the recent changes Obama made on immigration (66 percent vs. 34 percent), like how the president went about making the changes as well. Fifty-six percent of Hispanics approve of Obama bypassing Congress compared to 29 percent of whites. Even so, views among Hispanics are about evenly divided over Obama’s authority under the Constitution: 48 percent say he acted within his authority, while 44 percent say he exceeded it. By two-to-one, white voters say Obama exceeded his authority under the Constitution (62 percent-31 percent).
So have the progressive socialists achieved the goal of politics based on collective grouping enabling them to prosecute their agenda? Could be. If we get beyond the point where we seek the best policies to advance the growth, opportunity, and promise of Americans and that which we call the American Dream — will our Republic stand the test of time?
Sure, we want others to enjoy the blessings of liberty, but knock on the front door and abide by our rule of law. But if we have a president who doesn’t embrace the rule of law and seeks means by which he can circumvent our republican system (yes, that’s how its described since we are a Constitutional Republic), then what will our future be?
E Pluribus Unim is Latin for “Out of Many One.” Let us endeavor to prevent these great United States from being divided into collective groups resulting in the demise of our unity as Americans — the one.
A government that promises you everything can eventually take it away — and history proves it will. The greatest power is the individual and that essence of liberty. I believe we are seeing a resurgence in America, and are witnessing an awakening. We just need courageous, principled leaders and policies to restore our Republic, recommit to our fundamental constitutional values and principles, and reclaim the sense of American exceptionalism and pride.
All is not lost. Molon Labe!
About the AuthorALLEN WEST was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia in the same neighborhood where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once preached. He is the third of four generations of military servicemen in his family.
During his 22 year career in the United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel West served in several combat zones: in Operation Desert Storm, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was a Battalion Commander in the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, and later in Afghanistan. He received many honors including a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals and a Valorous Unit Award. In 1993 he was named the US Army ROTC Instructor of the Year.
In November of 2010, Allen was honored to continue his oath of service to his country when he was elected to the United States Congress, representing Florida’s 22nd District. » Read full bio
During his 22 year career in the United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel West served in several combat zones: in Operation Desert Storm, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was a Battalion Commander in the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, and later in Afghanistan. He received many honors including a Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals and a Valorous Unit Award. In 1993 he was named the US Army ROTC Instructor of the Year.
In November of 2010, Allen was honored to continue his oath of service to his country when he was elected to the United States Congress, representing Florida’s 22nd District. » Read full bio
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