Obama Promises the Pen of Executive Orders if Congress Does Not Act; Should Republicans Complain?

Similar to a speech made last week in which French President Francois Hollande vowed to pass his agenda by executive order instead of parliamentary law, Obama warns Congress he will act alone.

President Barack Obama said Tuesday he was pleased Congress had passed a sweeping $1 trillion spending bill, but warned he would wield power alone if lawmakers blocked his policy plans.

Obama also called on Congress to act on his other priorities, including an extension of jobless insurance for the long-term unemployed and comprehensive immigration reform.

"We're not just going to wait for legislation," Obama said.

"I've got a pen and I've got a phone, I can use that pen to sign executive orders and take executive action and administrative actions that move the ball forward."

While Obama can use his authority to implement policy changes on issues ranging from immigration to climate change and other issues, he must pass laws through Congress to enact the kind of sweeping political change he envisages and to deploy the power of the public purse.

If Obama's threat sounds familiar it's because it is. Please consider, Hollande Wants to "Get Things Done" by Decree, Not by Passing Laws.

When Hollande made his statements I asked two questions.

1. Was president Obama inspired by Hollande or was Hollande inspired by Obama?
2. Why have parliament, or Congress, if this is the ways the legislative process works?

Should Republicans Complain?

Obama seriously sounds like a spoiled brat. "If you won't give me cake, I will have cake anyway".

No doubt, Republicans will complain strongly about the president's message.

I have a better idea: As long as this is the way the system works, then let's see some real hardball from Republicans the next time they are in office.

Turnaround is Fair Play

By decree, let's get rid of the National Labor Relations board. More importantly, since President Kennedy instituted collective bargaining of public unions by decree, let's undo collective bargaining by decree as well.

There is a massive amount of fertile ground for the kinds of decrees the country really needs, especially in regards to less government. If we can get less government via decree rather than Congressional bickering, I'm 100% in favor.

So rather than complain now, let's hope the next president, Rand Paul, carries the "executive order torch" to the fullest extent possible.

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com