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In reply to the discussion: What is happening B4 our eyes to the mythical 2nd Term "more progressive" President Obama? [View all]Romulox
(25,960 posts)117. "Prosecutorial discretion" is a basic concept in the law. Moreover, the DEA (head appointed by Obama
) has the right to unilaterally reschedule cannabis.
How would you feel if they took $300 billion away from national parks and spent that on defense, despite what Congress said? You would be displeased, right? Well, if you think the President gets to ignore laws on pot, then you're also saying he gets to ignore laws on spending and spend the money however he wants.
Congress has already given the President the power to exercise "prosecutorial discretion" in the way his Department of Justice pursues criminal cases. That's why NOT ONE Wall Street banker has been prosecuted for Derivative or Mortgage Fraud under his watch.
In addition, Congress has already given the President's appointees at the Drug Enforcement Administration the power to reschedule Cannabis. That's according to the law, as passed by Congress.
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What is happening B4 our eyes to the mythical 2nd Term "more progressive" President Obama? [View all]
99th_Monkey
Jan 2013
OP
The point of the post is whether Obama is a progressive, nothing about being bad or good.
dmosh42
Jan 2013
#14
Your complaint presupposes he has not made these policy decisions because he
Puzzledtraveller
Jan 2013
#9
I think there is a profound distinction between being a liberal and a progressive.
Liberal_Stalwart71
Jan 2013
#26
I disagree. I believe that the classic characterization of a liberal holds here as one who
Liberal_Stalwart71
Jan 2013
#42
I find the discussion fascinating, but I'm a boring political scientist so what do I know. :)
Liberal_Stalwart71
Jan 2013
#49
LOL!! I hope the Falcons remember this rule during this weekend's game!
Liberal_Stalwart71
Jan 2013
#68
Nonsense. Against drone killing *before* Obama. Against drone killings *during* Obama's admin.
Romulox
Jan 2013
#81
Being against everything Obama does because you aren't fulfilled is called cognitive dissonance
lunatica
Jan 2013
#105
You are making more excuses for Obama's drones...there's that "cognitive dissonance", again...
Romulox
Jan 2013
#108
Just in case it wasn't clear, the term wasn't a term aimed at you, or your line of argument.
Romulox
Jan 2013
#85
Second term presidents are weak, and govern through the Washington process, not politics
FarCenter
Jan 2013
#13
He can't do whatever he wants. The point is there are three separate and distinct
Liberal_Stalwart71
Jan 2013
#25
Can you at least wait until we're into the second term? The president seems to be
Liberal_Stalwart71
Jan 2013
#48
The president is not liberal, but he IS progressive. Trashing thread.
Liberal_Stalwart71
Jan 2013
#24
Of course you reserve the right to criticize. I'm not trying to shut you down.
Liberal_Stalwart71
Jan 2013
#55
It's being undercut by what calls itself "the Left" in bed with the Right Wing=check out gun overlap
patrice
Jan 2013
#30
P.S. Make that "... INTENTIONALLY undercut by what calls itself "the Left" . . . "Left" & Right are
patrice
Jan 2013
#33
We are about to get 100% amnesty, 95% citizenship. That is liberal enough for me
graham4anything
Jan 2013
#32
For the second time I voted for a center-right Democrat for president with my eyes wide open.
Warren Stupidity
Jan 2013
#36
You are 100% wrong. Nobody is forcing Obama to persecute Medical Marijuana. His predecessor
Romulox
Jan 2013
#109
The Obama admin greatly ESCALATED such prosecutions--more in 4 years than W. in 8.
Romulox
Jan 2013
#111
Now you're making excuses. Your initial argument is that Obama is *required* to prosecute.
Romulox
Jan 2013
#113
"Prosecutorial discretion" is a basic concept in the law. Moreover, the DEA (head appointed by Obama
Romulox
Jan 2013
#117
Fortunately, Dennis Kucinich isn't doing anything, so he can run as a REAL PROGRESSIVE in 2016...
brooklynite
Jan 2013
#60
Geez, his 2nd term hasn't started yet. Let's at least wait for the inauguration.
kstewart33
Jan 2013
#86
He's gone left on economic policy. Anyone who was paying attention knew that he wasn't
geek tragedy
Jan 2013
#100
Wowie Zowie!! Color this Frog totally blind-sided by this slowly boiling water. ~nt
99th_Monkey
Jan 2013
#119
I think a lot of people here are buying into the right wing's "he's a Marxist/Socialist" crap
tarheelsunc
Jan 2013
#115