The Rule of Law Should Be Obama's Top Priority
Is straightening out the state of the economy an urgent priority for Barack Obama when he steps into office? Of course!! The financial markets are in turmoil. The Big Three are on the ropes. People have lost a tremendous amount of money from their savings and nearly everyone is concerned for their jobs.
Global warming has not been addressed at all in the past eight years. And if the experts are right, if we don't address this we might not have to worry about any of the other issues. Saving the earth from a climate catastrophe seems like a pretty high priority.
Iraq has been a mess for five years now and our troops continue to die every single day there for a war we should have never started. Afghanistan is spiraling out of control as the Taliban regains control in some areas of the country.
Then there is healthcare, the ballooning budget and countless other urgent priorities. But despite all this, my top priority for the Obama administration is the Constitution and rule of law.
The Bush administration systemically shredded the rule of law wherever they found it. The fourth amendment says you need warrant before listening in on Americans' communications? So what, ignore it. We signed the Geneva Conventions that prohibit torture like waterboarding? So what, ignore it. There are no laws that restrict private contractors in Iraq from doing anything they like to Iraqi civilians? So what, let them loose. There are no regulations that would prohibit financial companies from taking enormous risks that can crash the whole economy? So what, let them loose.
Every step of the way, the Bush administration created a lawless atmosphere where they put themselves and usually their corporate friends above the law. This, more than anything else, undermines what this country is all about. It also causes a lot of the other problems that we face today. There were no rules or regulations in the financial markets to check out of control risk taking, so people responded to the incentives that were in place and took a lot of risk. Then, just as you would expect, when that risk came crashing down on their heads, they turned around and put it in our lap.
The beginning point for fixing all our problems is to restore the United States Constitution, legal system and rules and regulations. They were there for a reason. They are what made us American. Let's put these rules back in place before we do anything else and we'll be half way home. If he does just this, he will already be an infinitely better president than George W. Bush. Give us America back and we can handle the rest.
Follow Cenk Uygur on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheYoungTurks
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@Michale
Nothing Can get passed with an Obstructionist GOP plus Bush.
It's all still the GOP/BUSH's fault.
Not just fault, but one must come to the conclusion that it is deliberate.
The Bankers 7T$ bailout is The great Heist in History.
The simultaneous stealing of 7 T$ converting it into gold in Dubai, and then driving the real economy into a full hyper inflationary depression. The GOP Bankers will own the world.
THE TREASURY AND PUALSON WON"T TELL US WHERE THE MONEY WENT!!!!!!!!!!
The world governments have just been purchased in a leveraged buyout, using our own money!
I agree.. That 700 Billion dollar Wall Street bailout was pathetic..
So tell me, why did the Democrats join Bush and Paulson in ramrodding it thru Congress???
Can you answer that??
No, you can't.. All you can come back with is a re-write of recent history that makes Democrats the heroes...
But that's just fantasy.. The Democrats jumped on the Bush/Paulson Bailout Bandwagon and shoved the bailout thru Congress..
WHY??
Michale.....
Some Half of the Democrats are weak willed, corrupt, naive or ignorant of banking.
God knows what threats and coercion were used by the Bush surveillance apparatus.
Nearly ALL GOP are corrupt Liars, fakers.
This is ideology and actions of the GOP come home to roost.
It's Hoover versus FDR
It's depression with bankers hording the money
Or a great revitalization of the world economy with green technology, better education health and infrastructure.
No distractions.
@Michale
Because the president Bush will veto it requiring a 60 vote overide.
Congress 101.
Are you drinking a lot?
Ahhhh
But we are not discussing the VETO, are we???
We are discussing the FILIBUSTER...
One too meenie martoonies???
So, since Dems won't have a filibuster proof majority in 2009, what makes you think they will, all of the sudden, grow a pair and won't run and cower at the mere mention of a filibuster, like they do now??
Michale.....
Are you stupid, or are you just acting stupid?
Why would the dems filibuster if Bush will veto it anyway?
What part of the GOP and Bush
Have absolute collective Veto Power"
Don't you understand????
@research
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Once Obama is sworn in, there will be no more excuses.
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Actually, what you should be saying is that once Obama is sworn in there SHOULD be no more excuses..
And I would agree with that.
But, how much do you want to bet that the hysterical Left will still make excuses??
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We will not accept filibusters as an excuse for not getting things done.
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And yet, you accept them now??
What's the difference between then and now??
Michale.....
Actually, I'll go further..
Right now the Democrats accept and cave even at the THREAT or a HINT of a filibuster..
Why is that??
Michale....
@michale
The for all your posts: There all wrong. I have countered ALL of the them. So has everybody else.
@Rosanneofpgh
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au contraire, mikey. the dems have NOT been in control the past two years. they did not have a big enough majority to override a presidential veto. Pretty much ALL of the blame rests squarely on rethug heads.
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So, Democrats don't have control of Congress??
How does that work exactly?
So, if I understand you correctly, you are saying that, when Republicans had the majority, everything was the Republican's fault.. When Republicans were the MINORITY, everything was STILL there fault.. So, now that Democrats have a much LARGER Majority, everything will STILL be the Republicans fault, right??
So, why not just come out and admit that you are a bigot and everything wrong with the world is the fault of the Republicans??
Just like a racial bigot believes every problem in the world is the fault of black people. Or red people. Or white people.
Michale......
Michale.....
GOP plug Bush = 60 votes barriers to all new legislation.
Once Obama is sworn in, there
will be no more excuses.
The Dems MUST NUKE THE FILIBUSTER if the GOP obstructs as expected.
We will not accept filibusters as an excuse for not getting things done.
@research
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Well Mich, I guess we Know where you are coming from.
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Well, darn...
And here I thought that me being so subtle would throw people off about how I really feel...
I guess you were too clever for me, eh?? :^/
Michale.....
You're to clever for you, Mich.
"The beginning point for fixing all our problems is to restore the United States Constitution, legal system and rules and regulations. " Cenk, loved this quote from you. Finally, the American people will have that "old document" as w. used to say, restored to its original form. Rejoice.
Restored to it's original form??
You mean where minorities were only 5/8ths human and only land owners can vote!??
Why on earth would you want the US Constitution in it's "original form"???
Michale.....
@Rosanneofpgh
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mikey, hun, you are working my last nerve! Please stop!!!
{{{{
If my posts bother you, exert some self control and don't read them.
You remind me of the Principal in PORKYS..
"I sat thru this disgusting, perverted and sick film!! TWICE!!"
Michale.....
Workers!
Swear your loyality to US, The GOP Hoover Bankers.
Swear to never contest our will again.
WE, the GOP Hoover Bankers
Own you.
WE have the trillions.
Beg.
If only they had the decency to beg..
But, personally, I am getting sick and tired of their extortive demands...
Michale.....
Well Mich, I guess we Know where you are coming from.
mikey, hun, you are working my last nerve! Please stop!!!
@SierraL
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I read you all the time on this site and have to ask...
1) Do you TRULY believe that the Rebublicans DESERVE another term in office based on PERFORMANCE?
{{{{
Absolutely not...
{{{{
2) Do you TRULY believe that a) The Iraq war is justified and b) its OK for our country to TORTURE people??
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A) I think that removing a homicidal and psychotic dictator is always a good thing..
B) I think it is OK for our country to torture terrorists.. Especially if it will save innocent lives...
}}}}
Do you TRULY beleive that "Trickle Down" economics has worked the last eight years (re: Bush Tax Cuts)?? ?
{{{{
Apparently not.. Nor do I believe that the Democrats should have pushed the Wall Street bailout..
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What FACTS am I missing?
{{{{
The simple fact that both Democrats and Republicans share the blame in the mess this country is in.. The Republicans could not have done what they have done without the tacit approval and support of the Democrats. Especially when you consider that it's been the Democrats who has been in control the last couple years...
Michale.....
au contraire, mikey. the dems have NOT been in control the past two years. they did not have a big enough majority to override a presidential veto. Pretty much ALL of the blame rests squarely on rethug heads.
Apparently, you and prez fucksupalot are trying to rewrite history. Aint gonna work for either of you, mikey.
@research
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but the one where the actual interrogator is discussed.
{{{{
I have already discussed this. While I respect this person's opinion, I have already pointed out that he is in a mostly military situation where the Geneva Convention is mostly in effect and torture should NOT be utilized.. In HIS particular situation, his opinions are probably accurate.
But it's a far different situation than the one faced by CT..
}}}}
We've been through all this before.
}}}}
And yet, here you are...
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You're Wrong.
{{{{{
In YOUR opinion. But I have personal experience, training and expertise to back up what I say. You do not.. Ergo, while I respect your opinion, it has nothing behind it, save your own hysterical biases and bigotry..
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Torture is Wrong.
{{{{
Of course it is. No one has claimed otherwise...
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Torture doesn't get advance information
{{{{
Yes it does.. Yes it can.. Yes it HAS...
Your statement assumes facts not in evidence.
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Talk does.
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Yes it does. Yes it can. Yes it HAS....
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Torture creates unlimited new terrorists.
{{{{{
Assumes facts not in evidence... We can't have a logical and rational discussion if you just make stuff up..
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Therefore you are promoting terrorism
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Again, in YOUR opinion. But it's an opinion borne of ignorance and hysteria...
}}}}
Like you said, it';s one of your buttons.
{{{{
And you push it so often, it's become almost boring...
Michale.....
just as you are, mikey......actually, youve already gone past boring to inane.
@AlButerol
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You DO realize that Obama said he would oppose attempts to diminish the fourth amendment and later he said he would support a filibuster attempt when the law approving wiretapping and letting the telecom companies off the hook came before the Senate (I don't have the HR number memorized)? When the law came up, he immediately caved.
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That's kinda my point. Although I would dispute your assessment that Obama "caved". As I see it, Obama took a good hard look at the world we lived in and decided that these new measures were necessary. Being the Constitutional scholar he realized (as I realized) that HR6304 not only provided necessary tools, but also STRENGTHENED the US Constitution in general and the 4th Amendment in particular.
{{{{
The fourth amendment may still be there but right now it's being treated like a quaint obsolete concept. The phrase "put it back" was not meant to be taken literally. Everybody else seemed to get that.
}}}}
Sorry, I tend to take people at face value. When a person posts that he or she wants the Democrats to "Put the 4th Amendment back" I logically and rationally assume that they think it's missing..
Silly me... :D
Michale.....
Hence the policial cartoon called "Day One", where Obama is attempting to tape the Constitution back together!
Restoring the rule of law is a grand idea, but many of you may be disappointed by what that would actually mean. National health care? Where in the Constitution does it say the federal govt. must provide health care for all? A law telling all Americans they have to buy health care? Where in the Constitution does it give the federal govt. the authority to tell Americans they have to buy anything? Executive Orders? Sure Bush has shredded the Constitution by issuing catastrophic Executive Orders (which do not have the force of law of behind them, by the way, unless Congress acts on them giving them the force of law). So what is Obama's administration going to do? Enact Executive Orders rescinding Bush's Executive Orders. That's good. But then he's going to enact his own. That's bad.
Telling companies how much they can pay their employees (which is part of the big three bail out language)? Where is that found in the Constitution? Taking ownership stake in the big three as part of the bail out deal? That's expressly forbidden in the Constitution.
The list goes on. Both parties have been responsible for tearing the Constitution to bits for decades. But what do we care? We have our color TV's and blogs to keep us busy. What do you people really care about that document anyway?
Very well said..
Most of the posters here are hysterically long on rumors, accusations and innuendo, but ridiculously short on actual facts...
Michale......
ah, if they would just share the love of reading and history that some do (including myself), maybe they would see the light...
Thank you, HuffPo, for displaying the names of the posters above each post. This enables me to read a whole thread while skipping the crack-brained comments of people who pollute the discussion with their irrational defense of the indefensible.
Thank you for your concession that you have no logical or rational counter to my argument and must, therefore, resort to immature personal attacks.
Your concession of my superiority is appreciated, albeit irrelevant..
Michale.....
mikey, people like you who think they know everything annoy the hell out of those of us who do!
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