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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM
Just about anything until either Congress or the courts stop him - and he can get a veto over Congress.
In general, many of the existing functions of government are controlled by agencies under the executive branch, which often have lawmaking powers through what's called "enabling legislation." So, to name one of the most notorious examples (at least, notorious among Republicans), the EPA has the authority to make regulations (which have the force of law) regulating environmental matters and polllution. The EPA is under Presidential control (down a couple of levels from the President, but an order issued in the Oval Office will make its way down). So, as the current Congress believes that all evidence on global warming is a sign of liberal bias among scientists, they aren't going to pass any kind of laws targeted toward controlling global warming...but the President can order the EPA to make regulations that do so, and so bypass Congress.
So basically the President is at this point effectively an elected monarch, given both the power and respect the institution commands. Mind you, given the insanity of our Congress, that is probably the thing that has saved us from ruin. I may not like Obama much, especially on foreign policy, but he's certainly better than having us run by the Republicans.
I Bring Doom,and a bit of gloom, but mostly gloom.
He's head of the only branch of government that's able to get anything done in this era of total malfeasance by Republicans in Congress. That is something that the Founders envisioned.
edited 3rd Jan '16 9:19:24 AM by Fighteer
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"The key is that the terrorists up on Oregon are armed and seem to crave a Waco-style end to the situation. A might different from a peaceful sit-in.
Of course, the Obama Administration almost deserves this for being so soft on them down at the Bundy ranch, but the optics are far different here, it's not armed personnel on a private residence defending somebody from a subpoena and summons, it's armed individuals trespassing and threatening sedition and destruction of government property.
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The problem with said elected monarchy is that a lot of us are damn scared of the prospect of the Don getting the job.
We saw an example of why in 2006, when the shoe was on the other foot. Congress had told Bush to get the fuck out of Iraq, Bush said no, leaving the Democrats with two choices: either let things keep going, or try something suicidal like defunding the army in mid-war (at which point a coup d'etat would not be off the table).
Pretty much this, yes. Which makes them a direct political challenge to the Federal government — a literal armed insurrection. Any outcome that does not end up with them dead or jailed is a lose for the nation.
Keep in mind that leftist groups have pulled similar stunts and have been praised as heroes, such as AIM's occupation of Wounded Knee, an incident that did lead to a shootout.
He is, but he has been left with little to no choice. He has tried every alternative to this and has been rebuffed.
edited 3rd Jan '16 10:48:17 AM by JackOLantern1337
I Bring Doom,and a bit of gloom, but mostly gloom.I think we need to invent safe Knockout Gas already
Maybe get then exhausted(loud usic and such)and hit them with a low dosage of the stuff that exists?
edited 3rd Jan '16 11:42:20 AM by Joesolo
I'm baaaaaaackWest Baltimore remains a shit hole.
Holly hell. I am honestly half convinced that we should deploy the national guard to the place. Just about anybody could do a better job of running it than the current governments of that city, and the state of Michigan.
@Greenmantle: Let's put it this way: I would not cry over their corpses. I don't advocate the Federal government adopting a "shoot first" mentality when dealing with this sort of situation, but a "surrender or die" ultimatum seems warranted here.
edited 3rd Jan '16 1:27:07 PM by Fighteer
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"Actually killing them would likely just antagonize the others. And, as many have said, we really don't need an insurgency at home, even one that would likely petter out quickly.
Now if they start killing people, by all means, but otherwise it'd be unneeded.
Honestly, right now the most they are really doing is squatting and yelling a lot.
I'm baaaaaaack@jack I'm not saying they're right. Just that there's not in the way of crimes. It's a situation that you can really just let stew.
Honestly they should have cracked the fuck down at the ranch. Full on Show off force, had Nat guard helicopters fly the cattle out before they knew what happened, or something similar.
edited 3rd Jan '16 2:09:33 PM by Joesolo
I'm baaaaaaack

edited 3rd Jan '16 7:39:14 AM by JackOLantern1337
I Bring Doom,and a bit of gloom, but mostly gloom.