Obama's new title - Hypocrite in Chief

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
4/23/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Obama was against signing statements before he was for them.

Question: "When Congress offers you a bill, do you promise not to use presidential signing statements to get your way?"

Senator Obama: "Yes. We aren't going to use signing statements as a way to do an end run around Congress," (May, 2008).

"If Congress refuses to act, I've said that I'll do everything in my power to act without them," President Obama, (March 2011).

If the shoe fits...

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Despite solemn pledges to the contrary and criticism of President Bush for his use of presidential signing statements, Obama has entered the ranks of the high hypocrites by regularly employing statements of his own to get his way despite the will of Congress.

It isn't supposed to be that way.

Presidential signing statements are pronouncements added by the President when signing a bill into law. James Monroe issued the first signing statement. Since then it has been a way for Presidents to convey their opinion on important laws as they take effect. This opinion can affect enforcement, and even undermine the law itself.

The use of signing statements is controversial, but the Supreme Court has never addressed the issue directly. Historically, they have just been commentary on the law, such as a triumphant proclamation. It wasn't until the presidency of Ronald Regan that they became routine. Now they number in the hundreds.

The problem with President Obama is he made a pledge not to use signing statements to circumvent Congress, but now stuck at the possible end of his administration with a Congress that refuses to bow, he has started to use those statements as a routine method for undermining the will of Congress.

Obama introduced his 2008 quote with, "I taught the Constitution for 10 years. I believe in the Constitution and I will obey the Constitution of the United States."

For someone who is supposed to be an expert on the Constitution and has such a strong opinion against the use of signing statements, his reversal of opinion demands explanation. Of course, none may be needed. William M. Daley, Obama's former Chief of Staff told the New York Times, "The president expressed frustration, saying we have got to scour everything and push the envelope in finding things we can do on our own."

For someone who abhors end runs around Congress, this is certainly a big shift.

And now Obama is taking this to the next level by adopting the slogan, "We can't wait," on his website. Of course, what he's saying on the site is that the President cannot wait for Congress to create jobs. Never mind that job creation is not a responsibility assigned to the government in the Constitution. Rather, if anything, it's the responsibility of government to keep out of the way of job creation. But Obama is building his platform on individual rule and his ability to circumvent democracy by issuing edicts. So, I guess after the next election if Obama wins his new title will be 'Emperor Obama.'

Is this the same man who taught the Constitution for 10 years? Is this the man who swore to uphold and protect the very process he now rails against?

If so, it also makes him something besides President; it makes him the Hypocrite-in-Chief.
Fair warning folks.

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Obama, signing statements,

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1 - 8 of 8 Comments

JoAnn
1 year ago
I heard someone describe Obama as an "unindicted co-conspirator in chief." Bill Sr. & Techwreck - great posts. God bless.
Bill Sr.
1 year ago
"...within my power". It seems that the Hypocrite in Chief has decided there is nothing that is not within his power. Unfortunately the Church is getting in his way lately and he has plans to teach us a lesson or two. He has friend in high places there willing to assist him. For example, we read today that 95 members of the faculty of his favorite university Notre Dame have signed a petition to have Bishop Jenky removed from the board of directors there. I think the bishop should resign so they can change the name to something more appropriate, and a motto of The Fighting Husseins.in honor of the president they love most.
techwreck
1 year ago
Adrien, so this is our new standard of morality, "Everybody does it"! As a result, Americans can't believe their government, their media, and, in some cases, their Church because of the spin doctors and PR men they employ. Let's face it, we have a corrupt culture and a large part of the reason is because we, the "good", "church going" people excuse their behavior because "everybody does it". It is about time we started applying the "WWJD" standard instead of the "Everybody does it" standard in judging the behavior of others.
Adrien
1 year ago
This article comes across as painting the President as the first to go back on his word. How quickly we forget. Where were those weapons of mass destruction? Oh that't right, there really weren't any. Yet look at the number of American lives lost and the desperate finacial state the country is in because a former President repeatedly told us they were real and pointed at us. I don't condone or accept Pesident Obama's change of position, but he is hardly the first to realize that politics more often than not has to rely on expediency. They don't employ spin doctors for nothing. Too bad.
DLL
1 year ago
Whats with His picture heading this article.The President cannot afford shoes without holes in the soles? That is SAD. Maybe he just stepped on some gum. The Senate is much more useless and ineffective than the Congress but as they are the Democrates he tolerates them okay. Constitution? The President taught that! Really! Which countries? Certainly not this countries! We can't wait! For what? Certainly not for more Change! He is great for devising slogans for the things his policies will not or never define. It is like having a one or two word slogan that says only be happy or happy. No one knows what that means as it all means different things to different people. They are in truth relative thinking slogans. Useless!
techwreck
1 year ago
"Liar-in Chief" would be a more accurate title. This President is not to be believed because of his record of continually lying to the American voters.
vance
1 year ago
Obama is really racking up the titles. If titles were like medals, he would look like a third world general dictator like he is. It isn't just him, it is his Marxist Democrat Party as well .
MJGT
1 year ago
Excellent and important article!

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