Four House Democrats have finally stepped forward to denounce the Bush-like policies of President Obama, particularly his recent signing statement proclaiming that he is not bound by federal legislation. The letter was signed by Reps. David Obey of Wisconsin, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee; Barney Frank of Massachusetts, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee; and subcommittee chairs Reps. Nita Lowey and Gregory Meeks of New York. The letter breaks from the lockstep loyalty shown Obama despite his adoption of many of Bush’s most controversial positions.
The four democrats expressed how they were “surprised” and “chagrined” by Obama’s declaration in June that he does not have to comply with provisions in a war spending bill restricting $106 million aid provided to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
This signing statement followed a similar signing statement declaring that he was not bound by limitations in the $410 billion omnibus spending bill. The signing statement on that bill occurred two days after Obama promised to depart from the abuses of signing statements by Bush.
The House has voted to oppose Obama’s signing statements, here.
Just to keep a rough score, here is the top ten list of Obama’s rollback on civil liberties and constitutional principles:
1. Issued signing statements asserting that he is not subject to the limitations set by Congress (despite his campaign promises opposing such statements);
2. Opposed any investigation into the torture program (here) and alleged war crimes of the Bush Administration;
3. Opposed any investigation into the unlawful surveillance program;
4. Preserved the surveillance programs of the Bush Administration;
5. Withheld photographs of the abuse of detainees to prevent “embarrassment” to the nation as well as White House logs;
6. Promised CIA employees that they will not be investigated or prosecuted for any crimes that they allegedly committed as part of the torture and surveillance programs;
7. Asserted that, even if acquitted in court, he would retain the right to hold detainees indefinitely and will preserve the Bush tribunal system;
8. Delayed his own deadline for a report on the future for Guantanamo Bay and detainees and opposed the right of detainees to challenge their confinement;
9. Asserted executive privilege arguments in court that go beyond prior Bush claims; and
10. Secure the dismissal of dozens of civil liberties lawsuits designed to uncover unlawful conduct and deprivation of privacy rights.
In his morphing into Bush, Obama has even outdone Bush on references to Jesus — while expanding his faith-based initiatives.
Of course, most members were not so moved to confront Obama on his opposition to any investigation or prosecution for torture. It took his refusal to comply with their authority over appropriation that produced this “chagrined” response.
Many Democrats appear blind to the hypocrisy shown in the treatment of Obama and the media on civil liberties. When Bush took these positions, he was rightfully denounced. Yet, the opposition to Obama is far more muted and nuanced. I supported Obama. However, he has abandoned not only campaign promises but basic principles of human rights and civil liberties in these policies. Democrats are showing the same cult of personality that destroyed the Republicans in their blind loyalty to George Bush.
For the story, click here.
If Iranians can fight back against their govt. we can do the same. Chances of success are low, but we should still try. I actually think this is a good time for a third party. “Kick their asses out and throw their trunks behind them!” is my slogan for a 3rd party. Do not send contributions to either major party, only to individuals who uphold the rule of law. EFF.org has some good ideas on organizing using the internet under repressive regimes such as Iran and our own. I am not advocating violence but don’t go down without a fight. And I do think Obama would be given a lot of pause if his supporters said they would ask for his impeachment if he fails to immediately withdrawl all his anti-Constitutional policies and does not address ending the wars, the economic crisis, climate change etc. He’s counting on everyone taking their “quietus”. Impeachment should be a threat he can believe in.
foo, I’ll look Olson up. I did hear a very good analysis of why Obama is so appealing yesterday. I don’t agree with all of it, but I think some important points were discussed.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106853619
“When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.” -Thomas Jefferson
Does anybody think the government fears the people? -The only fear any of them have is the fear of not being reelected; and in the partisan world in which we live, the (D) or (R) is more important to most, than is the person bearing such party association.
The way the rules are now it’s IMPOSSIBLE to have a viable third party on the national scene – SO – it looks like there is no alternative
What is the answer – I fear there is none
One of the things we learned in Prof Turley’s torts class was a theory that small groups of well organized people will almost invariably prevail over large groups (i.e. the electorate). This theory was proposed by Mancur Olson. Large groups have “free riders” and distributed interests.
I really think this is how our democracy works. I don’t think there is much hope for change, given the gargantuan monetary requirements to run for (re-)election. Moreover, it appears as if being elected president has a degrading effect on ideals and promises. I think it’s about the power.
My reaction to Obama is that I like him, but should I really continue to feel that way? I think a lot of it comes from personal identification with him as someone who’s actually smart, and who can discuss complex issues with relative ease. It’s all pretty dispiriting actually.
Unlike years gone by, being president is an almost guaranteed ticket to becoming a millionaire after leaving office. Look at Clinton. Obama will rake in the dollars after he’s out of office. What does he really have to lose? If he tried to do great and principled things, wouldn’t that have a positive effect on his legacy? I wonder if our system would be better if the presidency was a one term 6 year affair. No re-election possible.
No need to impeach Obama, he can be arrested. He is NOT the president.
I expect the military to do their duty soon and arrest him, many of his administration and most of Congress, etc.
“When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.” -Thomas Jefferson
Does anybody think the government fears the people? -The only fear any of them have is the fear of not being reelected; and in the partisan world in which we live, the (D) or (R) is more important to most, than is the person bearing such party association.
cvictorg,
True about Bush, very likely true about Obama. Still, if his supporters told Obama to do what he was elected to do or they will call for his impeachment, that’s a lot of pressure. It wouldn’t hurt for the govt. to be scared of the people for a change!
Bush – should have been impeached and wasn’t
Obama – should be impeached and won’t
This is not a good sign, it is a bad signing.
Hey Professor Turley,
Who did the Photo’s? I kept looking at them and that is FUNNY!!!!!!
I want to add something to what I said above. One common excuse for Obama’s bad actions is that he was left a mess by the Bush administration. Who can deny he was left a mess? The problem with this excuse is, that if you look at JT’s list above and many other actions by Obama, you will see they have nothing to do with the mess Bush left him. They are Obama’s own affirmatively chosen policies in violation of the Constitution. The argument that Obama was left a mess does not deal with Obama’s chosen actions to destroy the rule of law. That choice is his own.
Further, if you look at the actions taken to deal with the messes left by the Bush administration, you will see the problem does not lie with Republicans or the Congress or the mess itself. The real problem lies in the fact that Obama is continuing with the policies of Bush. He is not dealing with the crises that face us. He is a part of the crises by refusing to change the policies of his predecessor. If you take a look at what Obama, not Bush, has done with the Treasury, the bailout, the stimulus plan etc. you will see that he has himself committed and allowed to be committed financial fraud. He did not need to do this because he was left a mess by Bush. He did this because his donors are from the financial sector and he is repaying them.
Likewise with healthcare reform and the energy crisis, he is not putting forward plans that will help, he is putting forth plans that will benefit his donors. He is trying to keep secret that energy companies and insurance companies are both his donors and helping him write up his proposals by keeping the public from seeing his WH logs. The idea that he is opposing these major industries is propaganda, not reality. The idea that he is working hard to clean up Bush’s mess is propaganda, not reality. The reality is that in the financial, war, and other domestic arenas Obama is not fighting the last administration, he is carrying the ball forward for them.
BuenaVistaMall.com 1, July 22, 2009 at 9:57 am
Upon entering the Senate in 2005 through April 2007 Obama voted for every war-funding bill that came before him. Obama, despite his anti-war rhetoric, has cast at least 11 votes for
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So what. And how would you have voted, providing that you are even capable of Voting?
Upon entering the Senate in 2005 through April 2007 Obama voted for every war-funding bill that came before him. Obama, despite his anti-war rhetoric, has cast at least 11 votes for
war-funding bills. Funding a War of Aggression is a War Crime, each vote was a War Crime. Obama and co-conspirators are guilty in the deaths and maiming of hundreds of thousands of
men, women and children. Some estimate as many as 1,400,000 Iraqis have died due to the US-led war. Obama approved funds which were used to buy bombs and bullets to murder and maim tens of thousands of Iraqi, Afghan and Pakistani children.
BuenaVistaMall.com 1, July 22, 2009 at 9:28 am
Obama and Biden were elected illegally due to the fact they were guilty of high crimes – War Crimes. These were US and International crimes. They can be arrested today under USC TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 118 > §§ 2441 – War Crimes. Obama is NOT the president of the United States.
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So if I am to understand you correctly, they are war criminals because they were in the senate and voted for the war approps bill? Hum, sounds like everyone in the running at the time is a war criminal but Palin. And you expect her to do the right thing? Yeah right, she can’t even run Alaska.
I am pleased that a few Democrats have finally found the gumption to challenge the president on these issues. Many more need to do so. And while they’re at it, it would be nice if they could muster the courage to let the Republicans know that they are a minority in Congress.
Obama and Biden were elected illegally due to the fact they were guilty of high crimes – War Crimes. These were US and International crimes. They can be arrested today under USC TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 118 > §§ 2441 – War Crimes. Obama is NOT the president of the United States.
Obama is a pathological liar, war criminal, mass murderer. He should not have been on the ballot.
The worst problem with everything Obama does is the denial of it’s import by his supporters. It is past time for the denial to stop. The evidence is clear that Obama will try to give the veneer of legality to anti-Constitutional proposals, and should this fail, he is as willing as Bush to make an open, naked grab for power. He has already done so while his suppporters make excuse after excuse for his unconscionable actions. If his supporters do not stop their unquestioning support for their candidate, he will finish the job Bush started and we will be an open dictatorship.
Loyalty to Obama does not mean that one ignores what he is doing. The greatest love and the greatest loyalty to another person means demanding that they do that which is good and opposing them when they do evil. It is not disloyal to demand these things. It is an act of love. Blind obediance is not about love, it is about power. I ask Obama supporters, whom I feel truly do love Obama, to act as though they love him, and tell him, he has crossed a line they will not accept. No more excuses. No more denial of what he’s doing. A demand–you did not vote for a man so he could be a dictator. You voted for a man whom you believed would bring justice to our detainees, to our poor, our middle class, to our environment, to the people of this nation. You voted for him to end the war(s) and economic injustice. He is failing on every account. You must hold him to account for these failures. If he does not immediately change course you should call for his impeachment. The last thing a tyrant needs is people who say they love him, excusing and abetting his every move.
I hope every person of conscience whether a supporter in the past, now or never will not turn away from the dangerous path this president is on. Look him squarely in the eyes, join with any person, of any party who will opppose what is wrong. I commend the four members of Congress who have taken this stand. There are real consequences for going up against this president, and their actions showed courage. We need everyone to be courageous or this country is lost.
I know that I am personally getting tired of hearing about this “HEALTH CARE REFORM”,theses pols with health care cthat “WE” are paying for and telling us whats good and not good for us.Oh and what happen to “TRANSPARENCEY”?
Sounds like just another politician.
Sounds like it is time for a Crosby, Stills and Nash song. Ohio.
Four Dead in Ohio….How many more….
At least he does not have line item veto anymore. Stupid Republican Ideal.