Imperial Presidency

Obama Will Become First President to Spend $4 Trillion in One Year

"In the historical tables it released along with President Barack Obama's fiscal 2014 budget proposal this morning, the White House Office of Management and Budget revealed that in fiscal 2016, under the president's budget proposal, it expects Obama to become the first president in the nation's history to preside over a federal government that spends more than $4 trillion in one year. The OMB's historical tables also reveal that the White House does not expect this administration to ever run an annual deficit as low as $458.5 billion, which was the deficit the government ran in fiscal 2008, the last fiscal year completed before Obama took office." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama Will Become First President to Spend $4 Trillion in One Year

FDR Pulled a Cyprus on the American People 80 Years Ago This Week

"This week marks the 80th anniversary of FDR's decree, writes the Daily Bail. It remained the law of the land for more than four decades. Only on Dec. 31, 1974, was it finally repealed by Gerald Ford. Below is a full copy of the Executive Order." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFDR Pulled a Cyprus on the American People 80 Years Ago This Week

Cops Charge BB Gun Owner For Being In Vicinity Of Presidential Route

"By Tuesday, the story had changed. '…Joseph Stravinskas, 27, was shooting at cans behind a house about half an hour before the presidential motorcade came by.' No matter. They arrested poor Joseph and charged him 'with breach of peace in the second degree, threatening in the second degree and interfering with an officer' – though he instantly obeyed the thugs’ commands, according to the newspaper." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCops Charge BB Gun Owner For Being In Vicinity Of Presidential Route

The Internet-Homeland Security Power Center Revolving Door

"The second-ranking official at the Department of Homeland Security said she will resign shortly, ending four years as a champion of a civilian-controlled Internet. In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Jane Holl Lute, the sole deputy secretary at Homeland Security, said on Monday she would give notice this week and leave to pursue a role in international Internet affairs. Lute said that she was leaving with the department on a strong footing in Internet matters, with its central role cemented by an executive order on cybersecurity issued by President Barack Obama in February." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Internet-Homeland Security Power Center Revolving Door

Obama: US Tyranny Impossible Because ‘Government Is Us’

"The government is most assuredly not us – at least not all of us – which is why our system of government is designed to protect the rights of minorities while still allowing majorities to legislate without violating those rights. Obama’s defense to charges of incipient tyranny is that tyranny can never happen here. Which, of course, makes it more likely that tyranny will happen here. The second odd angle is Obama’s insistence that the Constitution constrains him. The natural inference seems to be that if it were not for the Constitution, Obama would indeed pursue a federal gun seizure." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama: US Tyranny Impossible Because ‘Government Is Us’

Americans Can Be Executed Without Charges — But Criminal Banks Can’t Be Prosecuted

"On the same day that Kentucky Senator Rand Paul was filibustering the nomination of John Brennan to head the CIA over the nominee’s involvement in lethal drone strikes, Attorney General Eric Holder defended arbitrary power before the Senate Judiciary Committee. As we noted earlier, Holder told the Committee that any Congressional action to restrict the targeted killing program would represent an unconstitutional limitation of presidential powers. In the same hearing, Holder said that some corrupt banks are simply too big to prosecute." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAmericans Can Be Executed Without Charges — But Criminal Banks Can’t Be Prosecuted

Glenn Greenwald: Three Democratic myths used to demean the Paul filibuster

"For the first time since the 9/11 attack, even lowly cable news shows were forced to extensively discuss the government's extremist theories of power and to debate the need for checks and limits. All of this put Democrats - who spent eight years flamboyantly pretending to be champions of due process - in a very uncomfortable position. The politician who took such a unique stand in defense of these principles was not merely a Republican but a leading member of its dreaded Tea Party wing, while the actor most responsible for the extremist theories of power being protested was their own beloved leader and his political party." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGlenn Greenwald: Three Democratic myths used to demean the Paul filibuster

Backfire on Obama — Gun Control

"How serious are Americans about buying guns? Enough to apply for a background check to buy one. How many Americans have applied for a background check since the day Obama was inaugurated? Go on. Guess. The answer: over 70 million. Think about this. Over 70 million adult Americans went to the trouble of identifying themselves as gun owners. This sends a message to Congress: 'Don’t mess with our guns.' This sends a message to gun control advocates: 'You haven’t got the votes.' Talk about futility. Gun controllers say that they represent the true feelings of Americans on guns. But where is their evidence?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBackfire on Obama — Gun Control

Colorado to grant Secret Service vast new powers

"The bill grants members of the Secret Service arrest powers by considering them to be a peace officer, putting them on a par with state law-enforcement officials. The legislation does not only apply to agents guarding the president or other government officials but also to special agents, uniformed division officers, physical security technicians, physical security specialists and special officers of the United States Secret Service. The idea actually aligns with an Obama agenda to create vast new restrictions and regulations on guns. Hundreds of sheriffs nationwide have said they cannot enforce federal restrictions that would violate the Second Amendment." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingColorado to grant Secret Service vast new powers

First Lady Michelle Obama launches new campaign against childhood obesity

"First Lady Michelle Obama took her campaign against childhood obesity to a new level Thursday with a $150 million program to encourage more physical activity in American schools. Let’s Move! Active Schools builds upon the Let’s Move! initiative that the mother-of-two and wife of Barack Obama unveiled three years ago during the president’s first term in the White House. Funded by a public-private partnership, Let’s Move! Active Schools aims within five years to get 50,000 schools across the United States to provide at least one hour of physical activity per day to their youngsters." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFirst Lady Michelle Obama launches new campaign against childhood obesity