06 January 2012

Appointment By Autocracy

In case you haven't already heard it, Chairman Zero's speech naming the Director of yet another government-bloating executive agency tips his hand over his contempt for Rule of Law.
"Now, every day that Richard waited to be confirmed -- and we were pretty patient.  I mean, we kept on saying to Mitch McConnell and the other folks, let’s go ahead and confirm him. Why isn’t he being called up?  Let’s go.  Every day that we waited was another day when millions of Americans were left unprotected.  Because without a director in place, the consumer watchdog agency that we’ve set up doesn’t have all the tools it needs to protect consumers against dishonest mortgage brokers or payday lenders and debt collectors who are taking advantage of consumers.  And that’s inexcusable.  It’s wrong.  And I refuse to take no for an answer"
Well, it seems like you're dealing with that question now, Chairman.  The real question is, what are you going to do about it?
"So I’ve said before that I want to look for every possible opportunity to work with Congress to move this country forward and create jobs.  I’m going to look for every opportunity to try to bridge the partisan divide and get things done."
Yeah, just like you all did with the stimulus bill?  Like you did with Obamacare?  I recall a lot of closed-door sessions effectively locking out certain elected Representatives and Senators along party lines.

But since you lost control of the House in 2010, it seems you are intent on cutting the House out of the process.  Problem is, the Constitution doesn't allow for it.  You'd think a "Constitutional Scholar" would know that.

Apparently not:
"But when Congress refuses to act, and as a result, hurts our economy and puts our people at risk, then I have an obligation as President to do what I can without them." 
I kind of wonder what Obama means by "our people," especially in light of attempts to circumvent Congress over illegal immigration policy.  I tend to think he means Democrats Autocrats, and their potential enablers.

And is the GOP really to blame?  Over at The Daily Caller, it seems that the narrative regarding Obama appointees being obstructed by GOP Senators doesn't hold up.  In the case of two NRLB appointees, it seems an attempt was made to squeak them in between gavels--so fast, in fact, that they couldn't clear background and criminal checks.  Much less giving them time to be vetted by the Senate.

Audrey Hudson over at Human Events also shoots down Obama's "I'm always trying to be bipartisan" rhetoric in this matter:  “Apparently, advise and consent called for in the Constitution doesn’t apply to this Chicago-style politician. He’s more interested in rewarding his friends than living under the law Americans need to abide by,” [WY Senator John] Barrasso said.

But do you really want to enjoy a Keystone Cops moment?  Cordray apparently can't be appointed outside formal Senate approval.  The law establishing the agency, drafted in 2010, calls for it.  Obama's drive for his agenda, regardless of Constitutional restraints, has left him with his pants around his knees.

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