Obama’s non-recess appointments herald more bickering post-2012
There exists a hope that this November’s elections, with such a stark divide between Democrats and Republicans on many issues, will provide some political clarity for at least a couple of years. There’s a chance that comes to pass. Yesterday’s actions by President Obama, however, suggest the more likely outcome is an even nastier, dysfunctional Washington.
I’m talking about Obama’s appointment Wednesday of four officials: three to the National Labor Relations Board, and one as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, created by the Dodd-Frank financial reform law. He styled these as “recess appointments.” Which wouldn’t be problematic if Congress were in fact in recess. But it’s not: The House and Senate are conducting pro forma sessions expressly to avoid going into recess.
Democrats will point out that Republicans in the House forced this situation to prevent recess appointments, which are constitutional, and which President George W. Bush and others made at times to skirt Senate opposition to their choices. Republicans will point out that Democrats in the Senate — including then-Sen. Obama — employed the exact same tool for the exact same reason toward the end of the Bush years, and that Bush did not “go nuclear” by ignoring the pro forma sessions. A similar point could be made about the use of the filibuster.
I would say that, sooner or later, one party or the other was going to have to decide to unilaterally disarm when it comes to these disputes. Except that neither party has exhibited the kind of good faith that would indicate it would respond in kind to such a disarmament.
Until and unless that changes, I can only imagine these situations will continue to escalate until one side gets the judicial branch involved to decide on constitutional grounds. And I fear that, even then, the result will not be a resolution respected by all parties, but rather to make that branch even more politicized.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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251 comments Add your comment
John
January 5th, 2012
9:17 pm
@@
January 5th, 2012
9:14 pm
Perhaps I should rephrase that…when have WE, THE PEOPLE ever decided a court case involving the Constitutionality of laws?
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
9:23 pm
td
January 5th, 2012
8:01 pm
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
7:49 pm
There is more then one way to incentivize. Cutting regulations and taxes is the way I was talking about. I know you libs think the word means paying someone to do nothing like in welfare.
Using taxation or tax breaks to encourage or discourage the markets to do certain things is government intervention–of course both sides do this all the time, I just want you to admit you are in favor of the government intervening in markets.
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
9:28 pm
Linda
January 5th, 2012
8:44 pm
Why@8:12, I earned & hold a Bachelor of Science Degree from one of the largest universities in the Southeastern United States. There are a lot of people who consider me sharp, people who actually matter.
I think even you know that you are not included in category #3, the elites.
To answer your question so that you can move on, Republicans are not angry. Fiscal conservatives, which include Republicans, Independents & moderate Democrats, are scared. The polls prove it. We all think our country is headed in the wrong direction & agree with the Defense Dept. that our national debt is the greatest national security threat to our country.
At the same time, Obama & the progressives are still trying to spend our way into prosperity with money that we do not have, money borrowed from China or printed by the Federal Reserve out of thin air, contributing to our run-away inflation, another problem unaddressed.
Obama & the progressives know exactly what they are doing. They know that their plan of action is to the detriment of the US economy.
I can tell by your posts that you’ve never been to college.
Anyway, if you want to be angry at presidents who spend beyond their means, you should have included Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, and especially Bush II as well.
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
9:29 pm
td
January 5th, 2012
8:35 pm
Why are Republicans so angry? Whats up with that?
January 5th, 2012
8:20 pm
“It ain’t that serious”
This is where is are so wrong. This is the future of mine and your children at stake in the decisions this country makes next year. We are either going to turn into a European socialist welfare state or we are going to have a chance to give our children and grandchildren the same opportunity as our parents and grandparents gave us. Do you want your children to be big government welfare recipients or do you want them to have a chance to succeed?
Jesus Christ, stop it with the “our children and grandchildren” emotional appeals. Live in the now.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...Happy New Year!!
January 5th, 2012
9:38 pm
Talking to Why are Republicans so angry is like talking to a rock or a worm or a liberal.
Why bother?
Michael H. Smith
January 5th, 2012
9:39 pm
John
January 5th, 2012
9:02 pm
You get off that crack. You don’t even know what the declaration says if you don’t recognize these words: “the laws of nature and the laws of nature’s GOD”. Yet you talk of what is constitution and don’t know that what you claim is constitutional is not listed in the enumerated powers of article one section eight.
The courts are meant to serve as last resorts not a place to test every law if that were the case let the courts just make up the laws get rid of the other two branches of government.
In your lame opinion:
By your argument, that would then mean government cannot stop gay marriage, abortion, murder, rape or anything else if people are doing these things in the pursuit of their happiness.
You forgot government has to protect life and liberty and that overrules your distorted accusation in the above claim, in pursuit of happiness. Your pursuit of happiness end at the point of my rights to life and liberty.
Oh but wait we’ll have to ask the supreme court if that is too remains constitutional by your funky standard.
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
9:41 pm
Michael H. Smith
January 5th, 2012
9:39 pm
The courts are meant to serve as last resorts not a place to test every law if that were the case let the courts just make up the laws get rid of the other two branches of government.
Did you skip the week of civics in high school where they talked about how the judicial branch works?
Michael H. Smith
January 5th, 2012
9:42 pm
John
January 5th, 2012
9:17 pm
When we repealed slavery. When we repealed prohibition.
Michael H. Smith
January 5th, 2012
9:46 pm
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
9:41 pm
You are talking nonsense to try an make your argument correct. If you cannot give a constitutional bases for a law it shouldn’t be brought up before congress let alone passed into a law. That is what is in discussion so you go back to school with your judicial work hooey.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...Happy New Year!!
January 5th, 2012
9:50 pm
Iran bill would bar foreign ships in gulf -Urinal
Never mind that the AJC couldn’t care less about it’s legitimacy, have you ever heard a more ridiculous thing as this?
Dusty
January 5th, 2012
9:50 pm
Well, looks like the “discussion” has drifted somewhat afield. Of course, Kyle’s statement sums it up very well. Lest we forget:”Yesterday’s action by President Obama however, suggests the more likely outcome to an even nastier, dysfunctional Washington.” Yep, nastier, dysfunctional Washington!
Not only likely, but obviously. The man wants to throw his “weight” around to show he’s a big man .
His version of strong leadership. To heck with Washington. The Obama steam roller (full of hot air) is rolling!!
I’m sorry but someone that loves this country does not try to make it a “worse place.” Maybe I should be more charitable. OK. President Obaama simply does not know any better.
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
9:50 pm
Michael H. Smith
January 5th, 2012
9:46 pm
…If you cannot give a constitutional bases for a law it shouldn’t be brought up before congress
lol, well I guess you are entitled to your off-the-wall opinion
John
January 5th, 2012
9:55 pm
Michael H. Smith
January 5th, 2012
9:39 pm
Smoking that crack again, I see. Before you start with you’re WE, THE PEOPLE do some research or take a Civics class. You may discover the Framers were an elite group — among the best and brightest America had to offer at the time. But they knew that they were trying to forge a nation made up not of an elite, but of the common man. Without the approval of the common man, they feared revolution. This first part of the Preamble speaks to the common man. It puts into writing, as clear as day, the notion that the people were creating this Constitution. It was not handed down by a god or by a king — it was created by the people.
It may also help you to understand our 3 branches of government and how each operates.
td
January 5th, 2012
9:55 pm
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
9:29 pm
Jesus Christ, stop it with the “our children and grandchildren” emotional appeals. Live in the now
And you just summed up the entire problem with the libs in this country. Live for the now, live for today, the h3ll with tomorrow, do not save anything tomorrow spend it all today, me, me ,me.
I am sure now with your comments that you are young with no children. You will change your mind one day my friend when you grow up and become a real man and live in the real world.
Michael H. Smith
January 5th, 2012
9:55 pm
The discussion really hasn’t drifted Dusty, the country has. It’s mostly all about the same things – grabbing power.
JohnnyReb
January 5th, 2012
9:57 pm
I’m late on this thread and 5 pages is too much to read just before nightie-night. However, I must comment on Obama’s trangression. It is a deliberate political calculation; all other rhetoric is BS. The Senate was kept in pro-forma (spelling?) to pass the payroll tax. It can’t be kept in session to legally pass a law, then decided it is not legally in session so Obama can make a recess appointment. Obama could have waited for a true recess; none of the appointments are urgent. He decided to go ahead in order to create controversy and see just how far he can go without getting his hand slapped. If Republicans are smart, they will call his hand on this all the way to court.
Michael H. Smith
January 5th, 2012
9:57 pm
John
January 5th, 2012
9:55 pm
John you need to go back to the Declaration and the Constitution and learn before you try to give anyone directions to do anything.
Michael H. Smith
January 5th, 2012
10:00 pm
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
9:50 pm
Worry about your own opinion and wall.
td
January 5th, 2012
10:02 pm
Dusty
January 5th, 2012
9:50 pm
“I’m sorry but someone that loves this country does not try to make it a “worse place.”
If he really loved this country then he would go ahead and do as Truman did and announce that for the good of the country I will not be seeking re election. The country could start healing from the division he has perpetrated on the country the last three years.
Why are Republicans so angry? Whats up with that?
January 5th, 2012
10:02 pm
@td January 5th, 2012 8:35 pm – Do you want your children to be big government welfare recipients or do you want them to have a chance to succeed?
******************************************
Once again…it ain’t that serious. Why are you being a fearmonger?
Speaking of welfare. Today they gave us a look at welfare recipients.
They are:
Whites 37% on welfare
Blacks 24% on welfare
Hispanics 17% on welfare
NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO BE ON WELFARE. But it is there to HELP those who find themselves IN NEED OF HELP. Unfortunately, some people make it a career.
Stop yelling fire when there is ONLY a spark! Since Obama became president everyone wants to cry…….”the world is in deep trouble.” But when Bush was president he did what he wanted and NO ONE COMPLAINED. Especially when he put us in TWO WARS and WE LOST THOUSANDS OF YOUNG MEN.
Where were you then?
Stop being a fearmonger because a black man is president. He might be the best thing that ever happened to the United States of America.
He brought out the BEST or the WORST in all of us.
John
January 5th, 2012
10:03 pm
Michael H. Smith
January 5th, 2012
9:46 pm
‘If you cannot give a constitutional bases for a law it shouldn’t be brought up before congress let alone passed into a law.”
Have you noticed, this was one of the rules set forth by John Boehner and his Republican caucus in the House…only to be constantly ignore by those same Republicans. Very few of their bills mention Constitutional authority.
Michael H. Smith
January 5th, 2012
10:04 pm
JohnnyReb
January 5th, 2012
9:57 pm
I wish some very rich people that had nothing but time and money to spend would take all these unconstitutional and illegal maneuvers to court, even if it brought the system down it would finally illustrate to these so-called progressives how far outside of the Constitution they have taken this country.
Michael H. Smith
January 5th, 2012
10:06 pm
Yeah, I have noticed but there is something you didn’t notice, are you might have thought before coming back with that cute comment.
Linda
January 5th, 2012
10:07 pm
Darvocet@9:28, Really?
I’m so smart that I can remember what I posted @ 8:44, less than 45 minutes before your post. Redundancy is not required.
What was my give-away? Did I misspell a word? Use a word you didn’t understand? Use a phrase you couldn’t comprehend? My goodness! My bad!
Maybe you could enlighten me (& all of us here on this blog) as to exactly how much each of the presidents you listed added to the debt during their terms. Please include Obama, who, as I understand, is adding as much to the national debt as all of his predecessors combined. Maybe you missed that on the media from which you obtain your information. Maybe you missed the fact that Obama’s ten-year budget he introduced in 2/10 received a vote of 97-0 in the Senate & WHY. Maybe you missed the fact that the US credit was downgraded for the 1st time in history on Obama’s watch because of the Democrats’ SPENDING.
In the meantime, I an waiting breathlessly for your enlightenment. You do know how to Google, don’t you?
Did I mention that my degree was in Economics?
Michael H. Smith
January 5th, 2012
10:09 pm
BTW nice to see you on the blog again Linda.
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
10:11 pm
td
January 5th, 2012
9:55 pm
when you grow up… and live in the real world.
lol why don’t you just say “I drank the kool-aid” next to supplement your worn-out talking points
Michael H. Smith
January 5th, 2012
10:12 pm
Good night to all.
Donkey for sale
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TVeMwWEaIs&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLD33DB476E2765331
td
January 5th, 2012
10:13 pm
Why are Republicans so angry? Whats up with that?
January 5th, 2012
10:02 pm
“Stop being a fearmonger because a black man is president”
Playing that race card. It can not be a good life to see everything in color my friend. Were have I ever said anything about the mans color? The man is a progressive/European socialist. This is harmful to the American people and he must go. I would say the same thing if it was Hillary running right now because she is the same.
I do not care of the color of the welfare recipients. The vast majority of them are there because of the choices they made in life. The best thing we could do as a nation is to go in and tell them face to face that this is not the way you are going to live your life and in a time certain the benefits will be gone so go and get a skill set that will allow you to support you and your family.
BTW: Can you name the top three similarities in people that receive government benefits?
td
January 5th, 2012
10:16 pm
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
10:11 pm
If by “drinking the kool-aid” you mean that I have determined to live by a certain set of principles and beliefs then you are right. I am a libertarian leaning social conservative and am proud of it and will stand up and defend my positions that I have thoroughly studied and accept as fact.
Why are Republicans so angry? Whats up with that?
January 5th, 2012
10:19 pm
@td January 5th, 2012 10:02 pm – The country could start healing from the division he has perpetrated on the country the last three years.
*************************************************
Tee Dee is your hatred so deep for Obama that there is no reasoning with you?
Why is YOUR HEART SO BLACK?
Why are you so ANGRY?
What has anyone ever done to you to make you so hateful?
If you cut Obama he bleeds red blood just like you. He is not the creature from the black lagoon.
He is a man, that lives and breaths. Why does he have to be the MONSTER? Why was Bush not the monster?
Some of you have been raised to hate and some of us were raised to LOVE EVERYONE regardless of race. we don’t have to agree but we have to give respect.
It does not make me better than you if you respect me
and
It does not make you better than me if I respect you
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
10:19 pm
* Link
* Report this comment
Linda
January 5th, 2012
10:07 pm
Darvocet@9:28, Really?
I’m so smart that I can remember what I posted @ 8:44, less than 45 minutes before your post. Redundancy is not required.
What was my give-away? Did I misspell a word? Use a word you didn’t understand? Use a phrase you couldn’t comprehend?
You would have flunked ENG 1101 for using ampersands instead of “and,” if the comma splices didn’t get you first. If you had really gone to college, you would have said which one rather than using the nebulous statement “one of the largest universities in the Southeastern United States.”
Maybe you could enlighten me (& all of us here on this blog) as to exactly how much each of the presidents you listed added to the debt during their terms. Please include Obama, who, as I understand, is adding as much to the national debt as all of his predecessors combined.
Again, if you had been to college I wouldn’t have to hold your hand through this. A cursory glace at Wikipedia reveals the mystery! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_debt_by_U.S._presidential_terms
You do know how to Google, don’t you?
Irony! I used Google to look up the Wikipedia article I just linked you to in about 10 seconds. Why couldn’t you?
Did I mention that my degree was in Economics?
lol
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
10:20 pm
td
January 5th, 2012
10:16 pm
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
10:11 pm
If by “drinking the kool-aid” you mean that I have determined to live by a certain set of principles and beliefs then you are right.
Well, read my post again until you get the main idea correct.
td
January 5th, 2012
10:28 pm
Why are Republicans so angry? Whats up with that?
January 5th, 2012
10:19 pm
Jee another person that has zero reading comprehension skills. For the love of Christ man, OBAMA IS A FREAKING WELFARE STATE EUROPEAN SOCIALIST. It is the same on his black half and his white half. I DO NOT HATE THE MAN. I DESPISE WITH EVERY VEIN IN MY BODY HIS PHILOSOPY.
I apologise to everyone else of the blog for using caps but I hope caps is what it takes to get through to the intellectually challenged.
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
10:30 pm
td
January 5th, 2012
10:28 pm
Why are Republicans so angry? Whats up with that?
January 5th, 2012
10:19 pm
Jee another person that has zero reading comprehension skills. For the love of Christ man, OBAMA IS A FREAKING WELFARE STATE EUROPEAN SOCIALIST.
How so
Why are Republicans so angry? Whats up with that?
January 5th, 2012
10:35 pm
@td January 5th, 2012 10:02 pm
.
Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
Anger or hatred is like a fisherman’s hook. It is very important for us to ensure we are not caught by it.
Good night
td
January 5th, 2012
10:37 pm
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
10:20 pm
Oh my young padawan has so much to learn about life. Do you even know what a philosophy is? Do you have a core set of values? One day you will sit and develop some and then you shall become a true adult. I will give you this piece of advise young one: When you are learning it is much better to read, listen and learn then to spout off at the mouth on matters you do not have a clue about.
Linda
January 5th, 2012
10:39 pm
Michael@10:09, Thanks. Nice to know someone missed me. Great to be back.
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
10:43 pm
td
January 5th, 2012
10:37 pm
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
10:20 pm
Oh my young padawan has so much to learn about life. Do you even know what a philosophy is? Do you have a core set of values? One day you will sit and develop some and then you shall become a true adult. I will give you this piece of advise young one: When you are learning it is much better to read, listen and learn then to spout off at the mouth on matters you do not have a clue about.
okay, but you didn’t answer my question–how is Obama a European welfare-state socialist?
Why are Republicans so angry? Whats up with that?
January 5th, 2012
10:49 pm
@td January 5th, 2012 10:28 pm – I apologise to everyone else of the blog for using caps but I hope caps is what it takes to get through to the intellectually challenged.
***************************************
You “ain’” the sharpest knife in the drawer EITHER If you believe that ranting nonsense (OBAMA IS A FREAKING WELFARE STATE EUROPEAN SOCIALIST).
You need to take a chill pill before you have a stroke!
td
January 5th, 2012
10:54 pm
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
10:43 pm
Here is your first assignment my young padawan. You need to use your superior internet skills and look up the reasons why people consider Obama a European socialist and let us all know your results. I will give you a hint. Obama made the statement to that effect either in a speech or an interview.
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
10:55 pm
td
January 5th, 2012
10:54 pm
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
10:43 pm
Here is your first assignment my young padawan. You need to use your superior internet skills and look up the reasons why people consider Obama a European socialist and let us all know your results. I will give you a hint. Obama made the statement to that effect either in a speech or an interview.
Haha once again TD you can’t back up your statements.
Owned!
td
January 5th, 2012
10:57 pm
Why are Republicans so angry? Whats up with that?
January 5th, 2012
10:49 pm
Wait on the research results that my young padawan will reveal the truth to you.
Linda
January 5th, 2012
11:08 pm
Darvocet@10:19, ENGL1101 was before my time. Mine was 101 & beyond. I’m mature & therefore experienced.
This is a blog, not a thesis.
The university I attended, as well as my other personal info, is that, personal. Didn’t notice you shared yours.
Your source of Wikipedia explains a lot. You still did not state precisely the amt. that was added to the natl. debt under each president you listed. I’ll be glad to compare my list with yours, from a more reliable source.
I swear on the the Holy Bible that I have a degree in Economics from one of the largest universities in the Southeastern US. Since you are probably a heathen, that probably means little to you. That’s nice that you are lol. Some of are not.
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
11:16 pm
Linda
January 5th, 2012
11:08 pm
Darvocet@10:19, ENGL1101 was before my time. Mine was 101 & beyond. I’m mature & therefore experienced.
This is a blog, not a thesis.
The university I attended, as well as my other personal info, is that, personal. Didn’t notice you shared yours.
I never made the claim I went to college, and even now it’s more evident you didn’t graduate. You may have attended, but you did not graduate.
—————————————————–
Your source of Wikipedia explains a lot. You still did not state precisely the amt. that was added to the natl. debt under each president you listed. I’ll be glad to compare my list with yours, from a more reliable source.
I’m beginning to think you’re another TD alt, the way you refuse to back up claims. The article I linked answered that question sufficiently, but if it did not why didn’t you use Google, as you stated earlier? C’mon, you gotta do better than that.
—————————————————–
Since you are probably a heathen, that probably means little to you.
Let me quote you from page 4: “There’s another “thingie” about Democrats. They lie & attack their opposition when they have absolutely nothing to say..
Oh, you.
Linda
January 5th, 2012
11:16 pm
Darvocet@10:19, I meant to say the ENGL 1101 was AFTER my time.
Why don’t you take one of you & retire for the night? Aren’t you in pain, especially in your neck?
You are an example of why we need to close the natl. Dept. of Education.
Darvocet spending
January 5th, 2012
11:25 pm
Linda
January 5th, 2012
11:16 pm
Darvocet@10:19, I meant to say the ENGL 1101 was AFTER my time.
Why don’t you take one of you & retire for the night? Aren’t you in pain, especially in your neck?
You are an example of why we need to close the natl. Dept. of Education.
I’ll accept this post as your tacit admission of defeat and parting shot for the night
td
January 5th, 2012
11:28 pm
Linda
January 5th, 2012
11:16 pm
Now I am lol over that comment. I have offered to take the young padawan under my wings and train him to leave the dark side of the force and be a good young conservative but alas, he is not ready to become a respectable young man and wants to play silly little young lings games.
Linda
January 5th, 2012
11:36 pm
Darvocet@11:16, Are you one of Obama’s plants on this blog? Are you being paid overtime with our tax dollars?
You didn’t need to make a claim that you went to college. It was evident that you did not.
I could not care less whether you think I attended college, whether I graduated, where I attended or what my degree was or degrees were in.
What I care about is how you/anyone could be so ignorant of the policies of the progressives & the damage they have done to our country & what another 4 yrs. of the Obama Adm. could do to the future of our country. Are you that blind?
Linda
January 5th, 2012
11:52 pm
td@11:28, He could lead everyone in his path to his “handle.” You would have to start over & home-school him to remove his indoctrination. Bless your heart for trying.
Linda
January 5th, 2012
11:56 pm
Darocet@11:25, Defeat? You ain’t seen nothing yet. I’m just getting started. You must have taken my advice. Good night!