Chief Executive, Executive Order, and Executive Privilege.

        We have executives in business and government.  I once heard that “Executive” was derived from a European word meaning “Tester of the law.”  That decription seems to fit today for executives in both business and government. 

        We have many Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) that test the laws with business decisions.  Maybe it is good to test, define, and maybe change laws or regulations.   If these executive decisions are intended to improve the economy, employment, and the country, I am all for them.  I have a big problem with decisions made totally for short-term gain and executive bonuses. 

       

The Chief Executive of our government is our President.  The Constitution clearly defines the duties of the President.  The President is the Commander and Chief of our military.  The President is also responsible for enforcing the laws of the land.  That is all. 

        The President is not allowed to choose which laws to enforce.  A great example of this abuse of power is immigration.  Not one President in at least forty years has enforced the immigration laws. 

        The President has the power to veto a bill, or sign it into law.  The President does not have the authority to modify or change a bill with a “Signing Statement” which several Presidents have done.  This is “making law” in my opinion and beyond the President’s authority. 

The President is not allowed to create laws with “Executive orders”.  This practice has increased over the years and has increased at an ever-increasing rate since John F. Kennedy.  This practice should not be allowed and may be illegal under the Constitution in my opinion. 

Presidential expansion of government must be stopped.  New government positions are created at the sole discretion of the President.  Some of these new “Czars” create laws and regulations without the approval or support of Congress.  This practice is also illegal under the constitution in my opinion. 

“Executive Privilege” is another practice that should not be allowed in my opinion.  The President is responsible to Congress.  What happened to the “Transparency in Government” every Presidential candidate promises?  It never happens and the clandestine practices seem to get worse with every President. 

There has to be a check and balance in our government.  That is why there are three branches of government.  The President is responsible to Congress.   I think Presidential powers have gotten out of control.  The President is not an “All Powerful Supreme Leader” with no responsibility to Congress or the people.