Over the past weekend, numerous No-Kings Rallies were conducted nationwide. They were aimed mostly at President Donald Trump's constitutionally questionable assertions of executive authority, and this has angered many of his supporters. But if truth be told, Americans have long been very leery of executive overreach. They also resented people who, once elected, make it a career.
In the Articles of Confederation that existed before we actually ratified the Constitution, there was no executive branch of government and no federal courts. States' rights, echoes of which can still be heard today, was the guiding principle. Delegates to Congress were limited to three years in office.
We quickly learned that we did actually need an executive branch but were still suspicious of the tyranny that could result from a strong national government. Hence the Constitution. When George Washington was elected (unanimously) as the first President, he actually highlighted and underlined all mentions of his office. After his inauguration, he made it a point to visit every member of Congress instead of having them come to him and swear their loyalty. He also made it a point to leave his office every day at about 4 pm for a brief walk to demonstrate that he is just like everyone else.
And so things remained until Andrew Jackson was elected President. He was the first to push the authority of the executive branch, ignoring acts of Congress and the courts when they acted contrary to his agenda. He even called for some of his critics to be "Houstinized" (assaulted). He was a populist who despised effete intellectuals like John Quincy Adams.
After Jackson, the power of the Executive branch continued to grow under different Presidents, especially during times of crisis.
If you'd like an overview of our history from the beginning to present, I highly recommend a series of lectures from Yale University professors David Blight, Joanne Freeman and Beverly Gage called America at 250. A course syllabus is included. You can view the lectures online as well.
15 comments:
Can't wait until 2028. The last and current president have done terrible damage to our nation.
7 Million Democrats not even 1 percent of our people These people sure have it wrong.
Through it all, President Trump does seem to be respecting the Constitutional limits on his Executive Orders.
Nearly every action President Trump makes is met by a lawsuit from the "Lawfare" group of attorneys. Temporary Restraining Orders in lower courts are adhered to pending Trump's appeals to the next highest level. Often, Trump's actions are deemed, in the end, to be legal.
Most recently, it was determined on Appeal that President Trump DOES have the right to send the National Guard into Portland Oregon. I assume this same authorization will now apply to troubled areas in other states.
Executive overreach has been increasing for many years. Executive orders were meant for the directive to enforce existing law, not making new laws. Weaponizing the parts of the government have been increasing also. FDR, Obama and Trump are pushing the limits, and the solution is for congress to enforce their authority. Congress needs to take back the authority for military conflict for one.
The there is pendulum effect, one administration fails to enforce any real laws, the next wants to make up for lost time , the contrast seems much more obvious.
Protest and marches will accomplish little, scrutiny of congress and its corruption can only be made by the people and a free objective press. There is some progress, but a long way to go.
Our weak Congress under both major parties has surrendered too much power to the executive branch. The Patriot Act and the authoritarian, draconian, and unscientific CoViD edicts are the most recent examples. Our government is now permitted to spy on private citizens. Those attending Latin Masses were declared domestic terrorists. People were fired from jobs for not taking an untested, useless, and - in some cases - dangerous, so-called vaccine from Big Pharma that spent hundreds of millions purchasing Trump and Biden. We are defined by the authority we cede.
And so now, the King is considered to be the guy who wants to REDUCE the size of the Executive Branch.
You lost me at Yale university professors. I googled all three of these and they are all left leaning. Why not mention someone who has a right leaning perspective or maybe that post is coming tomorrow. We don't listen to these people just like the media.
We need term limits, age limits and cognitive testing. Also, due to the incumbent (it pains me to say his name) we need a scumbag test.
"They also resented people who, once elected, make it a career." Supposedly "thousands" of people were in Bethlehem for No Kings, but these are the same people who continue to re-elect Lisa Boscola and Steve Samuelson for decades! Make that make sense.
How about reading it first, then decide.
That's pretty close-minded on your part. I will read and enjoy the work of conservative historians like Stephen Kotkin and recognize his bias when I see it. It's sad to see people who are so focused on someone's political leanings that they will only listen to those who will tell them what they want to hear.
8:53 AM Not to mention happily voting for the Casey clam for DECADES.
Oh that hurt! You little commie.
And Boscola's husband and Samuelson's wife both got jobs with the city.
Presidents have been pushing executive authority for a long time. Bush and Obama did it. Trump is doing it.
We need term limits, it's the only way to get people to do the right thing. All they do now is worry about getting reelected and getting frozen out of the money from the national party if they don't conform. Fetterman is the only guy voting his conscience right now. He doesn't give a fuck and I like that, even if I don't agree with him all the time.
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