Executive Orders

So, what - you ask - was the Facebook discussion about that prompted this blog?  Since the State of the Union address this week, there's been quite a bit of media discussion about 'executive orders'.  Lots of people around here seem to think this means that President Obama is circumventing the constitution, taking power to which the president is not entitled, and sidestepping the rightful lawmaking body - Congress - because it is politically convenient for him to do so.  My friend Brent posted this graph, admittedly from ultra-liberal news outlet, MSNBC, showing that all presidents in the 20th and 21st century have used executive orders extensively, and of them, President Obama has issued the fewest.  This is borne up by the article from Wikipedia on the topic of executive orders, which you can read here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_order .   My friend Linda countered with the idea that it is not just how many orders are issued, but what their content is.  So here - for those with the patience to read them - are the details on all the executive orders issued by the Obama White House .   I dunno, but I didn't see anything government-overthrowing on this list!  But I think both points are important - (1) let's be aware of the context before we pile on the criticism - and (2) let's look at the content of what is really behind the headlines before we get all hot and bothered. 

Isn't the real point of the 'executive orders' debate a power issue between Congress and the Executive branch?  The Wikipedia article lays this all out rather nicely.  But this current 'issue' is piddly-ass squabbling, in my opinion.  If the President REALLY wanted to lay down the gauntlet, he'd issue some executive orders on gun rights - now THAT would be a media firestorm, plus Constitutional issue worth watching!  Might get him impeached, though!    Linda and Brent - I still love you both!