Current Events vs. Founding Documents
This column presents facts regarding the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Paine's book Common Sense, the Wisconsin State Constitution, and various other documents in reference to modern topics. Mark hopes to encourage interest in those works so that others can consider whether our government is practicing within its constitutional limits. In the last category, he may indicate his opinion. Mark is a resident of New Berlin and a member of Wisconsin GrandSons of Liberty. Visitors are encouraged to visit the following sites for more information on the United States Constitution and Thomas Jefferson's views on politics and government.
Czars and Balance of Power
Entry 1
Current Event
Some are challenging the notion of Czars as appointed to the legislative branch by President Obama.
VS
According to the Politico News service on February 25, 2009, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), the longest-serving Democratic senator, criticized President Obama’s appointment of White House “czars” to oversee federal policy, saying these executive positions amount to a power grab by the executive branch.
In a letter to Obama on Wednesday, Byrd complained about Obama’s decision to create White House offices on health reform, urban affairs policy, and energy and climate change. Byrd said such positions “can threaten the Constitutional system of checks and balances. At the worst, White House staff have taken direction and control of programmatic areas that are the statutory responsibility of Senate-confirmed officials.”
Byrd also wants Obama to limit claims of executive privilege while also ensuring that the White House czars don’t have authority over Cabinet officers confirmed by the Senate.
“As presidential assistants and advisers, these White House staffers are not accountable for their actions to the Congress, to cabinet officials, and to virtually anyone but the president,” Byrd wrote. “They rarely testify before congressional committees, and often shield the information and decision-making process behind the assertion of executive privilege. In too many instances, White House staff have been allowed to inhibit openness and transparency, and reduce accountability.”
Founding Document
Per an excerpt from Article 2, Section 2 of the US Constitution:
“…He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
Closing Comments:
Where is the mainstream media in reporting this interesting power struggle???
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I appreciate all responses. I hope that the discussions and any debates will focus on the topics and not the persons. These topics may require a little homework, but I believe many people will find that the documents are easier to read and interpret that previously thought; because they were written for “the people”. I will appreciate any suggested topics for future entries.
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Why do so many bloggers fear comments? It seems odd especially when thinking about what this country is suppose to be all about. Don't fear comments Mark....just comment back if you like. I know before they stopped censoring comments...I stopped reading these blogs because it was to annoying to have to hear the bloggers view without them having to potentially deal with comments disputing what they say. I don't know why Ray and Ralph have a problems with that but I guess they do. Good luck on your blog.
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Mark:
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Mark
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Back to topMark Musselman - Jan 28, 2010 10:12 PM - Report Abuse
had to comment - Jan 28, 2010 4:12 PM - Report Abuse
Ray McInerny - Jan 28, 2010 9:29 AM - Report Abuse
I'd like to echo Ralph's comments. Welcome and hope you enjoy it.
As Ralph states the comments from the unknowns are very interesting, sometimes.
Ralph heun - Jan 26, 2010 8:24 PM - Report Abuse
Congratulations for entering the New Berlin Blog site. It is always an interesting experience because you will never know what kind of comments you will pick up.
Sometimes the comments actually address your subject matter.
Good luck and just keep blogging.