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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP!
Kentuck posted a thread on this article, I found the link here elsewhere.
I think it bears repeating.
"More is at stake here than the outcome of one or even two elections. Trump has long signaled his disdain for the concepts of limited presidential power and democratic rule. During his 2016 campaign, he praised murderous dictators. He declared that his opponent, Hillary Clinton, would be in jail if he were president, goading crowds into frenzied chants of Lock her up. He hinted that he might not accept an electoral loss. As democracies around the world slide into autocracy, and nationalism and antidemocratic sentiment are on vivid display among segments of the American populace, Trumps evident hostility to key elements of liberal democracy cannot be dismissed as mere bluster.
The moment the president declares a national emergencya decision that is entirely within his discretionhe is able to set aside many of the legal limits on his authority.
It would be nice to think that America is protected from the worst excesses of Trumps impulses by its democratic laws and institutions. After all, Trump can do only so much without bumping up against the limits set by the Constitution and Congress and enforced by the courts. Those who see Trump as a threat to democracy comfort themselves with the belief that these limits will hold him in check.
But will they? Unknown to most Americans, a parallel legal regime allows the president to sidestep many of the constraints that normally apply. The moment the president declares a national emergencya decision that is entirely within his discretionmore than 100 special provisions become available to him. While many of these tee up reasonable responses to genuine emergencies, some appear dangerously suited to a leader bent on amassing or retaining power. For instance, the president can, with the flick of his pen, activate laws allowing him to shut down many kinds of electronic communications inside the United States or freeze Americans bank accounts. Other powers are available even without a declaration of emergency, including laws that allow the president to deploy troops inside the country to subdue domestic unrest.
This edifice of extraordinary powers has historically rested on the assumption that the president will act in the countrys best interest when using them. With a handful of noteworthy exceptions, this assumption has held up. But what if a president, backed into a corner and facing electoral defeat or impeachment, were to declare an emergency for the sake of holding on to power? In that scenario, our laws and institutions might not save us from a presidential power grab. They might be what takes us down."
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/01/presidential-emergency-powers/576418/
triron
(22,020 posts)Trump is a clear and present danger.
orangecrush
(19,620 posts)are no doubt fully aware of it.
SergeStorms
(19,204 posts)I think we've all known that since before he was elected. I'm pretty sure we're all well versed in the dangers inherent to Mr. Orange's "presidency". What, other than contacting Congresspeople, can we do about it?
Congratulations on your 10,000th post, triron!
triron
(22,020 posts)bluestarone
(17,043 posts)And i feel the new House with Pelosi is OUR awakened Giant!!!!! I have Faith!!!
BigmanPigman
(51,627 posts)bluestarone
(17,043 posts)Great movie!!!
orangecrush
(19,620 posts)truly at a crossroads.
flying_wahini
(6,651 posts)I can't figure out why there aren't Republicans calling Congress!
What's wrong with these people? If I was Republican I would be marching in the streets!
orangecrush
(19,620 posts)in some form.
There aren't many other explanations for his willingness to sacrifice his party for Trump.
Control-Z
(15,682 posts)I believe it goes a bit higher. Let's just say I think the turtle and the maggot have the same boss.
triron
(22,020 posts)bluestarone
(17,043 posts)orangecrush
(19,620 posts)bluestarone
(17,043 posts)lunatica
(53,410 posts)Really scary!
orangecrush
(19,620 posts)A mobster working for Russia in the white house.
triron
(22,020 posts)shanti
(21,675 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Yet nobody has acted to curb his behavior along the way. He just gets what he wants over and over again and now we are at a crisis point because the feeble republican party won't act. They have created this monster and they are responsible for this complete cluster-fuck.
triron
(22,020 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)They are all to blame, but the republicans are the only ones who can actually curb his power. They are to blame for letting him get away with this shit.
kimbutgar
(21,195 posts)ancianita
(36,137 posts)triron
(22,020 posts)triron
(22,020 posts)underpants
(182,883 posts)orangecrush
(19,620 posts)Thought I'd pass it along!