☆ENGLISH ONLY☆コミュのIs the "separation of powers" really working in the U.S.?

This latest news has driven me up the wall.

http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9870147-7.html?tag=nefd.lede

I am ticked off that the freedom of the Americans is threatened like this in the name of national security. I am angry at the Senators who voted against the amendment. More than anything, though, I am disappointed with the executive branch that threatened the Congress with a veto. Is that really a good exercise of the separation of powers? It looks more like the abuse of power to me.

The Congress consists of hundreds of members - some are Republicans, some are Democrats, others are independent. Those who belong to the same party may not share the exact same value systems; they may not represent the same interest. Bills that come from such a diverse background, IMO, are more balanced and reasonable than the thought process of one person (i.e. the president). Yet with the veto power, the Executive branch can blow any bill carefully considered and processed in the Congress. Of course, the Congress could override a veto, but with today's bipartisan reality, it is almost impossible to do so.

So... am I the only one that the Executive branch has more power than necessary?

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[1] mixiユーザー 02月13日 12:04

No, you're absolutely 100% right. The Bush administration is mostly known for its wars, but its real legacy has been an enormous, unprecedented expansion of executive powers. Much of it has happened by marginalizing the congress with "signing statements" (google that if you're not familiar with it).

The weakened separation of powers is probably the single thing I'm most worried about for America right now.

[2] mixiユーザー 02月13日 12:35

It seems to me that making companies immune from lawsuits is masking the real
problem--that of the government overstepping its bounds in the first place.
Companies should be able to refuse to cooperate with the government unless a
valid warrant or subpoena is presented. That they are cooperating is probably
a sign that they are fearful of repercussions (which would themselves likely
be illegal) for not cooperating.

I'm old and jaded, and don't give much of a crap, since I feel hopeless to
effect change in the sprawling monstrosity that is the US government. But,
I am worried about what kind of country it is that our children are going
to be living in.

[4] mixiユーザー 02月14日 12:46

fenomas,

Thanks! Glad to see I'm not overreacting. I will look up "signing statements" as I'm not familiar with the term. I'm afraid to know in a sense, though. It's probably something that'll make me madder at the White House. :-(

hapybrian,

Thanks for the response. Yes, I agree that the real problem is the government trying to spy on the Americans to begin with. Looks like "national security" is used as a "out of jail" card. I live in the U.S. because I like it here, but I'm getting really worried about its future just like you are.

[5] mixiユーザー 02月14日 12:50

And this just in...

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/13/mccain-waterboarding-fail/

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The New York Times notes that "the White House has long said Mr. Bush will veto the bill, saying it 'would prevent the president from taking the lawful actions necessary to protect Americans from attack in wartime.'"
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How one can consider waterboarding a lawful action is totally beyond me.

[6] mixiユーザー 02月14日 13:12

The separation needs to be between the government and corporations.

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