It's the Worst Possible Time for Trump to Make False Claims of Authority

[Zorro]

I teach my law students that every so often in the law, the best way to understand the veracity of a claim is just to say it out loud. They got a great example of this on Monday when President Trump made a contribution to the legal lexicon: “When somebody is the president of the United States, the authority is total. And that’s the way it’s got to be. It’s total.”

In terms that would even have made President Richard Nixon blush, our commander-in-chief sounded more like the leader of some tinpot dictatorship than of the United States.

The design of our Constitution was designed to rebel against such arrogation of power. Separation of powers and federalism aren’t fusty concepts designed to please rebellious aristocrats; they are the living embodiment of our founders’ desire to divide and check power — not vest “total” “authority” in one person, no matter how wise that person may be.

That was the basic genesis of the Declaration of Independence — King George III had grabbed all the government power for himself. The declaration’s text proclaims “the history of the present King of Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.” The American Constitution is a self-conscious reaction to that concentration of power, not a document to mirror and enable it.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/opinion/trump-states-authority.html

[Under The Radar]

1. Law school? Hell I learned the separate and equal branches in elementary school

[enough]

2. Me too, but those days are long gone. NT

[appalachiablue]

5. Civic studies in public schools began declining in the late 1950s

according to a couple sources I've seen recently-- just appalling.

[Grasswire2]

6. to say nothing of the weird stuff kids are learning in home schooling!

2nd amendment yes.

other protections, no.

[appalachiablue]

7. The beating education has taken in 40+ yrs is almost unbelievable

Because education is so critical

[Under The Radar]

8. And the Trump enthusiast are the perfect example of the need to increase education funding

[Rebl2]

9. When I

was in middle school in the 70’s not only did we have to pass a state constitution test, but also US constitutional test. I seriously doubt that goes on today in that school district.

[appalachiablue]

10. I think you're right, that ed was terrific but long gone

[TreasonousBastard]

3. This is Trump we're talking about-- and who does he admire...

Putin, Kim, Erdugan, Bolsinaro...

[Under The Radar]

4. Saddens me that the Supreame Court decisions regarding Trump

Will not be known until after the election. The Tax Returns, immunity from investigations and prosecution and presidential confidentiality.
Cases that are clearly defined in the separations will be laid upon the alter of Gorsuch and Kavanaugh....powers they wish for Trump to have but not a Democrat. Will they delay their decision until after the election?