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CROWN & COUNTRY

Obama Seeks Monarch-like Powers, Says GOP Congressman

'Congress is in charge of the purse,' warns Texas Rep.

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by Dain Fitzgerald

Staff Writer t

Image: gerrycanavan.wordpress.com

A Texan is appealing to Americans' deep-seated animosity to anything that smacks of royalty - at least of the non-celebrity type - by accusing the POTUS of wanting the power of a king.

Congressman Ted Poe (R-Texas) today lashed out at the Obama administration's alternative to the GOP's fiscal cliff strategy. The POTUS's proposal would give the executive branch the the power to raise the debt ceiling in addition to further government stimulus. Rep. Poe called the first stimulus a "disaster," denounced the President's interest in a second one, and then accused him of an unseemly interest in ducking congressional oversight, The Hill reports.

"The administration cannot unilaterally issue an edict like a monarchy," said Poe. "Congress is in charge of the purse."

In addition to a tax increase of $1.6 trillion that would fall on wealthier Americans, the President has proposed an injection of $50 billion in new stimulus that Poe snarkily referred to as "Stimulus 2.0."

"We have a $16 trillion deficit and the president wants to spend more money?" inquired Poe. "Are you kidding me?"

Via The Hill.
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Is it fair to accuse the President of seeking monarch-like powers?

Comments (view in Forum)

  • martydotcom
    !
    Suggest you read your Constitution:
    “The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law… shall not be questioned,” reads the 14th Amendment.
  • martydotcom
    !
    @SavageMazx Then propose an amendment. These GOP nitwits don't comprehend what playing with our debt will do globally.
    Besides all money bills must come from the HR we can't incur debt w/o congress spending it.
  • DogLady_1
    !
    @martydotcom - The 14th Amendment does not even elude to giving the POTUS power over the purse... Maybe I am not underatnding your point... please explain...
  • u
    IMAQT
    !
    My guess is that Poe and the GOP also want to spend more money. They just want to spend it on different programs. Perhaps having automatic cuts will be the only way to reduce spending becasue I sure don't see these two parties agreeing on much at this time.

  • View all 42 replies >

  • DogLady_1
    !
    Rep. Poe is right... congress controls the purse... and we cannot spend our way out of debt! When my daughter was 4 years old we were at a store and she asked for a toy. I told her I didn't have any money. She told me, "You can write a check!"... It's cute coming from a 4 year old... I do not expect it from full grown adults who are in charge of big country!
  • CanisCanemEdit
    !
    The midwestern mentality has always been not to buy it if you can't afford it.

    That's why we have such a high percentage of land and home owners without debt.
  • martydotcom
    !
    You may want to read a bit on Keysian economic theroy vs how well austerity has worked out in the UK.
    Question: if you want to stimulate growth because no one Is spending therefore no one is expanding production > no hiring how do you stimulate the economy? Do you cut gov spending will that create jobs? or does the government invest in infrastructure roads, bridges etc science R&D for new tech. I think a Four year old kid could figure it out
  • DyingBreed
    !
    Executive Order, No longer having the right to protest the president, The kill list, War without approval of congress, etc.
    Yes, He is seeking fewer limits to his power, but it isn't just him - nearly every president in the last hundred years has been increasing the power of the Presidency. This is the fear of the Anti-Federalists and the Democratic Republicans coming to fruition.
  • MBernard
    !
    Heck, He should use executive power and take over the purse too while he's at it. And do not start crying "this is unconstitutional"
  • MBernard
    !
    They worry about the president acting like a king? Plz He should use executive power and take charge of the purse. They'll say it's unconstitutional, oh well. Executive power style.
  • hwyangel
    !
    @MBernard

    Obama said,“If I don’t have this done in three years, then this is going to be a one‑term proposition.”

    He is obviously conceding to failure if he is having to borrow more money.
  • o
    Antizealot
    !
    @hwyangel
    He's conceding to reality. You really want to go back and review the promises made by Republican Presidents of the past? I don't think you do.
  • hwyangel
    !
    @Antizealot

    Topic question: " Is it fair to accuse the President of seeking monarch-like powers?"

    Comparing Obama to whatever past presidents did, whether Democrat or Republican, does not justify Obama walking all over our constitution. No one is responsible for Obama except Obama.

  • View all 9 replies >

  • Keyjo
    !
    Ironic that this Congressman is a Texan, just like Bush II.
    And he talks about Obama's desire to abuse power.
    Mr. Obama is appealing to the American people to put pressure on their elected reps. This is bully pulpit, not monarchy.
  • MRMacrum
    !
    Is it fair to accuse the prez of seeking monarch-like powers? What a silly question. Fairness has nothing to do with it. Accusations are flung by both sides just to keep the pot mutually stirred. I actually think it is funny that they are trying to make this particular and often popular accusation stick. But it is a tried even even though untrue claim thrown out by both sides when they have nothing left in their accusation quiver to use.
  • o
    NO-BAMA
    !
    Yes. Especially since that is how he views himself and the direction he wants to take the country. Just look at all the people he has made dependent upon the government. His only problem is that he needs more dependency, so he can acquire the power that he wants.
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  •
    FFX_VA
    !
    Are we going to have to learn Egyptian Arabic now? That's a hard language. Wonder when Morsi is coming over for lunch.
  • scotta
    !
    Yes it is true. The "Banner" watches how people jump when the head of the Muslim brother hood speaks. These are his buddies. "The Banner" wants the house senate and especially the American people to stoop and fetch.
  • u
    bobrob
    !
    This is one of the most ridiculous statements that I have heard. If Mr. Poe indeed feels this way,
    maybe he should get off his tail and make something happen in that farce commonly referred
    to as the Congress, and cease obstructionist views. For the first four years of Mr. Obama's
    presidency, republicans spent their every waking hour in an effort to shortstop the President's
    reelection. Now it is time to stop the finger-pointing and get down to the business of
    resolving our nation's sorry fiscal crisis.
  • PoliticalSpice
    !
    Repubs take too much pride in their accomplishments to see them reversed. They worked hard to destroy our economy and they will not let Obama fix it!
  • u
    bobrob
    !
    @PoliticalSpice I am a republican(independent thinker) and voted for President Obama. In my
    view the Republicans have the right formula for the long run. That being said, if we do it the
    republican way now, unemployment would go through the roof, and our fragile economy
    would surely tank. This has to be a process, and the President needs the tools to try it his way.
    Also, I like the guy. The Republicans did not destroy the economy. What they did was to
    accelerate it's destruction, which was heading in that direction thanks to the let-alone policies
    of previous administrations. If Nancy Peloci stops taking $30,000 jet plane rides and allows
    the President to spend the way he needs to, without demanding a slice of the pie, maybe this
    nation can move forward. John Boehner? Let's not get into him. It is a discussion for another
    day.
  • PoliticalSpice
    !
    @bobrob
    I can not believe it, someone who actually uses their brain to think. Are you sure your on the correct web site? I am not Dem or Rep, but voted Obama. I detest Pelosi. She had the chance to do something when dems took control of House under Bush and all she did was complain. As speaker she could have stopped him from what he was doing if she wanted to. She could have refused to permit votes on funding until he acceded to her demands, much like House GOP did the last three years. I am not talking policy here, just politics. She had the power, failed to use it and blamed Bush for things she could have stopped...
  • PoliticalSpice
    !
    @bobrob
    When the Dems took control pf the House dhe announced publically "impeachment is off the table" effectively closing down the possibility into serious investigations into what was known about the false claims of weapons of mass destruction that was used to push the nation into war, as well as other illegal conduct such as violating the forth anendment by electronic surveilliance of american citizens.

    One of the main reasons Dems won the house was dissatisfaction with the war with Iraq. When it came time to funds for the war Pelosi, as speaker, could have done a lot to force him to begin winding down the war. As speaker she could have held the measure back and not approved it, or broken it into bills appropriating for somethings (withdrawl) and not others (surge), but she choose not to. Instead she just complained, saying there was nothing we could do until Bush was out of office...

  • View all 7 replies >

  • Dan_Tien
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    No. Monarchs garner all the wealth for themselves. Obama doesn't come anywhere near having the most money and power in the US. This is just a bell to ring to get all of the anti-Obama dogs to bark at once.
  • normanbites
    !
    Hmmm some choice there ... a "Monarch" who tries to benefit the people or an Aristocracy that couldn't care less about the people ..... A really tough choice if you ask me <sarc>
  • FollowTheMoney
    !
    Poe is right. Congress is to blame for this countries financial woes. But then, we elected congress. Over and over and over. So I guess, We're to all to blame for electing these A-holes. Over and over and over........
  • Mbjhug
    !
    "How did this happen?
    Who's to blame?
    Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn't be? War, terror, disease. There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you, and in your panic you turned to the now high chancellor, Adam Sutler. He promised you order, he promised you peace, and all he demanded in return was your silent, obedient consent." ~ Vee, V for Vendetta

    Replace the name and position with any other political party in America, and this fits perfectly. The worst part about this whole mess is I fear that this novel/book/etc portrays our near future the best.
  • FollowTheMoney
    !
    @Mbjhug the comfortable, lazy and apathetic American citizens have allowed our government to turn it self in to legal industry it has become. I accept my share of the responsibility, Do you? Why have you aimed your rant at me. Or have you simply used my post as a launch pad for your rant? Not that I disagree with some of your points...just curious. ;-]
  • u
    bembh
    !
    Poe's truthful statement that Congress controls the purse sounds like an admission that Congress got us into this mess in the first place....
  • mudpike
    !
    Typical of so many you see in Gov't. & other manager positions. These are the pampered that never had to work or struggle to reach those positions they are so unqualified & in-experienced to hold. Like BO - never had to work for nuthin - no tuition & no room & board. So really, who supported this 'Manchurian Candidate' thru Harvard & other schools ??? Likely a 'foreign exchange student' like his daddy.
  • mimi57
    !
    @PoliticalSpice He is arrogant and refuses to give an inch...yes, he thinks he' s the King, and No he is not !!!
  • mimi57
    !
    @PoliticalSpice I am dealing with it, and I'm fortunate enough to survive it financially...however, this spending spree will hit the middle class, and the poor will be the first to feel it. We are 17 trillion dollars in debt, he chooses
    to ignore it. I think we need to go over the cliff, maybe then the 'blind' will see just how good it can get. It's coming.
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