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Why is it okay for Obama to pick and choose what laws to enforce?
Sets quite a precedent for after he loses and Obamacare awaits enforcement, doesn't it? Any liberal complaint and it is already set up to reply "well Obama could do it, so can we".
Why he did isn't the question, we all know why, but was it legal and is it right? That is the question> I happen to believe we do need to do something, I am not sure this was the right thing to do, but how many times will he go back on his word and keep any respect what so ever? Every one of us change our minds from time to time, we mellow, or we go the other way, but he said he couldn't do this and then did. That isn't the same as changing ones views.
Nita
Is Obama's initiative legal? Here is a panel review by immigration lawyers that says it is:
I have to assume that Obama, a constitutional law professor, thoroughly vetted this decision. It is one thing to say it's illegal, and another to simply disapprove.
The GOP is howling, but it is mostly for show. They are perfectly willing to let this play out, since the outcome is not at all clear.
After all, part of the cleverness of Obama's gambit is, he KNOWS the GOP will be careful not to circumscribe the powers of the executive. After all, they may be in power soon, and will want a Republican president to exercise that power too.
Just because 64% of people support something doesn't mean it is the best economic decision for the country or legal to do.
Obama has already said it was illegal to do what he just did. Why is it okay for Obama to break the law in his own opinion?
No, popular opinion does not MAKE it right, but it does reflect on whether people THINK it's right. There is analysis out there that thinks this move will be a net economic gain, since it will steer part of the current underground economy into taxable realms.
As to the legality of his initiative, I have to think that, if Obama previously thought he was legally constrained ffrom acting, he was persuaded otherwise by legal experts in his administration- echos of GWB and the War on Terror, eh? Oh, the irony!!!
An interesting contrast in the world views of conservatives and liberals: when the GOP invoked the unitary powers of the executive, it was to justify torture, and smash ancient civilizations. When the Dems do it, it is to bridge chasms between people.
I have to assume that Obama, a constitutional law professor, thoroughly vetted this decision. It is one thing to say it's illegal, and another to simply disapprove.
The GOP is howling, but it is mostly for show. They are perfectly willing to let this play out, since the outcome is not at all clear.
After all, part of the cleverness of Obama's gambit is, he KNOWS the GOP will be careful not to circumscribe the powers of the executive. After all, they may be in power soon, and will want a Republican president to exercise that power too.
A few points that I don't think you understand:
#1 That panel that you are citing wrote that opinion a year ago, because they wanted the president to take unilateral action. That is the definition of bias. What you did was like asking PETA what they think of Michael Vick getting a 2nd chance in the NFL.
#2 Some experts will say it is legal, other experts will say it is illegal...ultimately the court may decide it.
#3 Obama himself less than a year ago said that what he just did was illegal. But, Obama did admit that he was tempted to do it, despite it being illegal.
Obama's move is a winner. Indies 2:1 in favor. No surprise. The affected group - educated, young people who are here through no fault of their own and are as American culturally as anyone - attracts a lot of sympathy. The Reps are in a rut on this. It may or may not alter the outcome of the election, but the Republican reaction is turning off every minority in this country and even old white guys like me. They already had an image problem and they may lose this demographic for eternity if they don't knock it off with their criticism and get to work on a solution.
From the results of the poll, not a lot of people are buying into the "he should have asked congress" argument. Unless you have been living under a rock for the last four years, you know that Congress is not going to do anything that might help Obama or the American people until after the election, if then. People like strong leadership. It is good to see Obama grow a pair with the Reps. He should have shown a lot more spine back in the debt ceiling discussion too.
Yet no movement in the daily tracking. I think most people are sympathetic to these kids, I for one am and support the DREAM Act. However only as part of a wider immigration bill and oppose widespread amnesty.
Just because 64% of people support something doesn't mean it is the best economic decision for the country or legal to do.
Obama has already said it was illegal to do what he just did. Why is it okay for Obama to break the law in his own opinion?
The poll has no data on demographics or party affiliation.
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