Executive Orders

[warren5421]

How can Executive Orders be law when congress is the place laws come from? Idon't think I sleep thru government class back about 50 years ago when myteacher was covering separation of powers between the 3 bodies of government.

 

[rambone]

The President is essentially an emperor, most people just don't realize it. He can wave his imperial scepter and confiscate all the privately owned gold in the country, or lock up American citizens because they are a certain race. This is a long held American tradition.

 

[Mosinowner]

The President is essentially an emperor, most people just don't realize it. He can wave his imperial scepter and confiscate all the privately owned gold in the country, or lock up American citizens because they are a certain race. This is a long held American tradition.

Slow down there rambone, its only november 7th

 

[karl77]

the exec orders were designed to be used in the event congress would be unable to meet in time to deal with a crisis, or was not in session.

at least that's how i remember it being explained.

 

[rambone]

Slow down there rambone, its only november 7th

I'm talking about actual Executive Orders from the 20th century.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

Obama thinks he's some sort of God who can do whatever he damn well pleases. No matter what the outcome may be. He has 9** some odd executive orders on the books in four years. It's all or nothing at this point. Seeing as this is his last term.

 

[mydoghasfleas]

The President is essentially an emperor, most people just don't realize it. He can wave his imperial scepter and confiscate all the privately owned gold in the country, or lock up American citizens because they are a certain race. This is a long held American tradition.

I hate to dissagree with Rambone, but I think he slipped up. You are incorrect sir. He is not the ruler of these united states, he is the ruler of the world ya know. (they even say the "ruler of the free world." Ironic, being free and having a ruler should be like oil and water) He is far above a lowley emperor.

Yup. "ruler of the free world". And if your not free yet, your on the list..

 

[sepe]

Obama thinks he's some sort of God who can do whatever he damn well pleases. No matter what the outcome may be. He has 9** some odd executive orders on the books in four years. It's all or nothing at this point. Seeing as this is his last term.

No. Just no. It was 139 as of October 5th.

Fact Check: Obama has used his executive powers, but not 900 times | jacksonville.com

 

[rambone]

Obama thinks he's some sort of God who can do whatever he damn well pleases. No matter what the outcome may be. He has 9** some odd executive orders on the books in four years. It's all or nothing at this point. Seeing as this is his last term.

The number is actually 139, counting his latest during the hurricane.



For reference:

Number of Executive Orders per President

Teddy Roosevelt 1,081
William Howard Taft 724
Woodrow Wilson 1,803
Warren G. Harding 522
Calvin Coolidge 1,203
Herbert Hoover 968
Franklin D. Roosevelt 3,522
Harry S. Truman 907
Dwight D. Eisenhower 484
John F. Kennedy 214
Lyndon B. Johnson 325
Richard Nixon 346
Gerald R. Ford 169
Jimmy Carter 320
Ronald Reagan 381
George H. W. Bush 166
William J. Clinton 364
George W. Bush 291
Barack Obama 139

Source: The American Presidency Project

 

[IndyDave1776]

the exec orders were designed to be used in the event congress would be unable to meet in time to deal with a crisis, or was not in session.

at least that's how i remember it being explained.

In theory this is correct; However, as Rambone pointed out, this has proven to be far from reality. First, as with most powers made available to teh .gov, be it the local PD or the President, with the intent that they be used only under the most unusual circumstances, this has become a common vehicle for sidestepping the congress hence nullifying one of the most significant checks and balances in the Constitution. Expect further abuses coming soon from a White House near you.

I would also point out that use/misuse of executive orders should be measured not only by number but by what was done in each case. It is entirely possible for just a few to be more damaging than a multitude. That said, I take the position that with no term of office should I run out of fingers counting the executive orders issued.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

How can Executive Orders be law when congress is the place laws come from? Idon't think I sleep thru government class back about 50 years ago when myteacher was covering separation of powers between the 3 bodies of government.

You can't actually make law with an executive order in the way the legislature does. The purpose is either to act in a crisis until Congress can meet (say, initiate a military action) or to clarify or adjust the executive branch's response to existing laws. That's part of checks and balances. The legislature makes laws, the executive executes them. The SCOTUS ruled decades ago that an EO must be related to a current law, specifically to 'clarify or further a law' passed by Congress.

So, what are typical executive orders? Normally pretty mundane stuff. Establishing a council, establishing hiring practices to give veterans preference, etc. Sometimes they are big though, like when Obama came out with an EO directing immigration to not pursue certain deportations.

If you want to see them for yourself, go here:

Presidential Executive Orders

and you can see them from 1826 to 2012. The very first one listed deals with providing Thomas Jefferson with a military funeral. Note this is not an exhaustive list, EO's go back further than 1826 as has already been noted.