Monday, September 13, 2010

Time for This Big Dog to Bite Back

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/opinion/12rich.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=time%20for%20this%20big%20dog%20to%20bite%20back&st=cse

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: barry levine 
Date: Mon, Sep 13, 2010 at 2:31 PM
Subject: re: Time for This Big Dog to Bite Back
To: letters@nytimes.com


To the Editor:

    President Obama needs to remember what professor Obama taught: the power of the purse if vested in the Legislative branch. As head of the Democratic party in the U.S., he has a bully platform from which to cheerlead, but he does not hold the levers of power to tax or to spend or to stimulate.  As commander-in-chief of our Armed Services he has the power to end Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell today, as Truman ended segregation in our military. As President of the U.S. he has the power to prosecute torturers--as our statutes and our treaties require--today.  Likewise, he can enforce our constitutional guarantees from unreasonable (i.e. warrantless) wiretaps.
   Next month, we will send new representatives and senators to Washington to wield Legislative power. On some crucial issues, we're still waiting to see the president of the United States wield Executive power to deliver the Change we voted for.
Barry Levine

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