Imperial Presidency

Obamacare, Simplified

"The process for determining subsidy eligibility could require 21 different steps, involving at least five separate entities—the Social Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Internal Revenue Service, and state exchanges—and utilizing a process called the Income and Family Size Verification Project. Yet the Obama Administration believes spending more money will solve the problem. Just for the IRS implementation of Obamacare, the Administration requested $439.6 million for nearly 2,000 bureaucrats." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObamacare, Simplified

California Democratic Party tells Obama to halt medical marijuana raids

"The California Democratic Party approved a resolution over the weekend that called on President Barack Obama to halt federal raids on marijuana dispensaries. The resolution, sponsored by the Brownie Marie Democratic Club of Riverside County, noted that 18 states and the District of Columbia had legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes, while Colorado and Washington state had legalized the use of marijuana for recreational purposes. Citing the disproportionate number of ethnic minorities jailed over marijuana, the resolution urged Obama to order the federal government to abide by state laws regarding the drug." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCalifornia Democratic Party tells Obama to halt medical marijuana raids

Ingham County judge rules Detroit bankruptcy be withdrawn

"Ruling the governor and Detroit’s emergency manager violated the state constitution, an Ingham County Circuit judge ordered Friday that Detroit’s federal bankruptcy filing be withdrawn. 'It’s absolutely needed,' said Judge Rosemary Aquilina, observing she hopes Gov. Rick Snyder 'reads certain sections of the (Michigan) constitution and reconsiders his actions.' Prior to her ruling, the judge criticized the Snyder administration and Schuette’s office over their hasty move. 'It’s cheating, sir, and it’s cheating good people who work,' the judge said. 'It’s also not honoring the (U.S.) president, who took (Detroit’s auto companies) out of bankruptcy.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIngham County judge rules Detroit bankruptcy be withdrawn

Ingham County judge rules Detroit bankruptcy be withdrawn

"Ruling the governor and Detroit’s emergency manager violated the state constitution, an Ingham County Circuit judge ordered Friday that Detroit’s federal bankruptcy filing be withdrawn. 'It’s absolutely needed,' said Judge Rosemary Aquilina, observing she hopes Gov. Rick Snyder 'reads certain sections of the (Michigan) constitution and reconsiders his actions.' Prior to her ruling, the judge criticized the Snyder administration and Schuette’s office over their hasty move. 'It’s cheating, sir, and it’s cheating good people who work,' the judge said. 'It’s also not honoring the (U.S.) president, who took (Detroit’s auto companies) out of bankruptcy.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIngham County judge rules Detroit bankruptcy be withdrawn

Jimmy Carter’s forgotten history lesson

"President Carter attempted to clean up the CIA, firing almost 20 percent of its employees, focusing on the 'clandestine operatives' whose cloak-and-dagger exploits were then fresh news. He also dispersed the agency’s paramilitary arm, put legal restrictions on the agency’s power to spy within the United States, and passed an executive order banning assassinations. But none of Carter’s reforms would last. President Reagan signed an executive order in December 1981 authorizing the CIA to collect “foreign intelligence” inside the United States — the first of many steps his administration would take to restore the power and prestige of the agency." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJimmy Carter’s forgotten history lesson

Judge ‘Troubled’ by DOJ Position in Drone Strike Case

"A Washington federal judge today said she was 'troubled' by the U.S. Department of Justice's position that the courts are powerless to hear a challenge of the government's ability to target and kill U.S. citizens abroad. Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Hauck argued there was a difference between having a constitutional right—which he said could be protected by the executive and legislative branches—and being able to make constitutional claims in court. Collyer countered that not being able to access the courts would deprive citizens of the ability to enforce their rights." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJudge ‘Troubled’ by DOJ Position in Drone Strike Case

Justin Raimondo: Is America a Free Country?

"Jimmy Carter is making waves: 'America does not have a functioning democracy at this point in time,' he told a meeting of the American Bridge, held in Atlanta, when asked about Edward Snowden’s exposure of Washington’s secret global surveillance system. Carter’s previous statements about the Snowden affair were mildly supportive. Yet this new statement goes way beyond that: it is a sweeping condemnation of the current regime. That a former US President would say such a thing has got to be the scariest public pronouncement I’ve heard since the Watergate era. What’s even scarier: Carter is right." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJustin Raimondo: Is America a Free Country?

Neutrality Toward Syria Is a Non-Aggressive Policy, But Obama Wants Assad Out

"Obama is acting out several parts. He plays the part of a reluctant war-maker. [..] He plays the part of president of the world and all its refugees and disadvantaged. He plays the part of the moral man who is upholding the international provisions against chemical weapons. However, what matters most in understanding Obama and his Syrian policies is that two years ago, Obama called for Assad to resign and he imposed sanctions on Syria. He called for the Syrian people to determine their future. They did, in the usual political ways of this era, by an election in 2012 and by voting in a new constitution. Obama ignored these." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNeutrality Toward Syria Is a Non-Aggressive Policy, But Obama Wants Assad Out

Obama on Zimmerman verdict: Trayvon Martin ‘could have been me 35 years ago’

"'When Trayvon Martin was first shot,' Obama said during the daily White House press briefing on Friday, 'I said that this could’ve been my son. Another way of saying that is Trayvon Martin could’ve been me 35 years ago.' 'There are very few African-American men in this country who haven’t had the experience of being followed when they were shopping in a department store. That includes me. There are very few African-American men in this country who haven’t had the experience of walking across the street and hearing the locks click on the doors of cars. That happens to me, at least before I was a senator,' Obama continued." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama on Zimmerman verdict: Trayvon Martin ‘could have been me 35 years ago’

DOJ wants your tips for Trayvon federal civil rights case

"President Obama’s Department of Justice wants Americans’ tips on Trayvon Martin’s civil rights to build its federal case against George Zimmerman, the man acquitted of second-degree murder charges Saturday. The DOJ is asking that all tips be sent to Sanford.florida@usdoj.gov. Barbara Arnwine, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, told the Orlando Sentinel the federal government is appealing to civil rights groups and community leaders to help build its case." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDOJ wants your tips for Trayvon federal civil rights case