General Discussion

jeff47

(26,549 posts)

63. Nope.

Wed May 1, 2013, 08:59 PM

May 2013

Congress's 'power of the purse' doesn't end when a budget or CR is passed. They can pass additional laws any time.

Also, it's against the law to decide that "operating funds" are to be spent in a way not approved by Congress. That's why Congress had to pass a law to fix the FAA-caused flight delays. If the administration could just do things out of "operating funds" as you claim, that would not have been necessary.

Theoretically, Obama could veto a law forbidding the closing of Gitmo. But it already passed with a veto-proof majority, thanks to terrified congressional Democrats.

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"Specifically, what is it Obama should do that he hasn't already done?" [View all] babylonsister May 2013 OP

He should offer to cut Social Security. Oh wait, he's already done that. AnotherMcIntosh May 2013 #1

oohhhh so inane. n/t Sheepshank May 2013 #5

COLA not benefits. It was President Carter with Democrats in both chambers of Congress who BlueCaliDem May 2013 #6

Actually, while you are blaming Clinton for taxing SS benefits under certain circumstances, AnotherMcIntosh May 2013 #9

Just pointing out the glaring differences between Carter, Clinton, Tip O'Neill, and Obama BlueCaliDem May 2013 #121

That's as nonsensical as saying that Edison should not get credit for modern illumination because AnotherMcIntosh May 2013 #132

Nope. The comparison is false. Why? BlueCaliDem May 2013 #134

Edison didn't do squat. Tesla did it all, more efficient lights motors and more. NYC_SKP May 2013 #137

Wow. Didn't know any of that Proud Liberal Dem May 2013 #21

When one thinks PBO is the Anti-Christ, it's easier to think the worst of him and his motives Hekate May 2013 #98

I'm a senior who relies on Social Security for my income. The chained CPI will cut my income. JDPriestly May 2013 #99

You present the best argument against the chained CPI which is, in fact, a serious cut in our JDPriestly May 2013 #97

Once again BlueCaliDem May 2013 #123

Actually, I think we have had two COLA increases. They weren't large, but I think we had them. JDPriestly May 2013 #125

Gee, thanks, I guess that makes it alright for other Democrats to do also... NOT /nt still_one May 2013 #106

Not saying that at all. Just debunking the myth that "no Democrat ever touched S.S. so Obama " BlueCaliDem May 2013 #124

I know you weren't still_one May 2013 #128

From an accounting/budgeting perspective, chained CPI is technically not a cut. BUT . . . markpkessinger May 2013 #127

No matter what the President does/wants, the Republicans have vowed to oppose him, winter is coming May 2013 #2

What opposition has been mounted to stop education deform? TheKentuckian May 2013 #30

A LOT of DUers would benefit from reading this in-depth and factually correct piece. BlueCaliDem May 2013 #3

apparently we're only under "dictatorship" when repukes are in office Skittles May 2013 #52

+1 Jamaal510 May 2013 #60

Kick. Rec. POTUS does not equal "king" Hekate May 2013 #4

the analysis is simple. he's expected to achieve results, and all failure is his fault. unblock May 2013 #7

The obstinancy is not just with the rethugs. nt babylonsister May 2013 #10

And ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2013 #80

The Republicans' recalcitrance and lack of cooperation or good will are problem enough. Obama JDPriestly May 2013 #107

Worked like a charm on Gun Control ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2013 #114

Just wait. A little patience and we will see. We will get gun legislation. JDPriestly May 2013 #118

I suggested this earlier. JDPriestly May 2013 #103

Amazing how Maureen Dowd can get her own head up her own indepat May 2013 #8

Simple -- blackmail StatGirl May 2013 #11

Prosecute Bush and Cheney for treason and war crimes, for a start. Octafish May 2013 #12

Tell me ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2013 #82

Five years on and the rich are worth trillions more. Octafish May 2013 #110

Nice rant ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2013 #115

What Luis Armstrong said when asked, ''What is jazz?'' Octafish May 2013 #133

He could reschedule Marijuana and tell his DOJ to quit attacking State licensed dispensaries. Vincardog May 2013 #13

+googleplex MindPilot May 2013 #18

K&R Progressive dog May 2013 #14

"a glutton for punishment"? AnotherMcIntosh May 2013 #32

I think it is because we no longer have much governance from the 3 branches. MindPilot May 2013 #15

Unfortunately, he can't send the "children" to their rooms Proud Liberal Dem May 2013 #16

Amen and Amen............n/t mercymechap May 2013 #65

For starters.... kentuck May 2013 #17

So ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2013 #83

Is that really the way you interpreted my comment?? kentuck May 2013 #90

Yes, I did ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2013 #95

The GOP doesn't want immigration reform?? kentuck May 2013 #100

I agree that the gop wants the Hispanic vote ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2013 #113

Gun Control and Immigration Reform are apples and oranges. kentuck May 2013 #116

That argument is not grounded in reality ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2013 #120

We shall see. kentuck May 2013 #141

You were saying ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2013 #148

I would say that they have a tiger by the tail. kentuck May 2013 #149

He could have a Sec of Ed. that support free universal public education - not Duncan. byeya May 2013 #19

Best plan: work to get Dems elected in 2014 (n/t) thesquanderer May 2013 #20

Did (a lot of) you folks even read this article, written about republican intransigence? babylonsister May 2013 #22

Obama enables RepubliKKKan obstructionism and people here are listing things byeya May 2013 #25

You didn't read it either. nt babylonsister May 2013 #26

True ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2013 #84

I would suspect every DU'er knows that and 'has a problem with that' n2doc May 2013 #27

Dowd brought up 'leadership' in the OP... Octafish May 2013 #36

Background checks had >80% support, and you think a few phone calls will get taxes raised? (nt) jeff47 May 2013 #58

It'd be worth a try, instead of sitting back and waiting for Divine intervention. Octafish May 2013 #70

We need electoral intervention, not divine intervention. jeff47 May 2013 #72

It must have been the Republicans who opposed his appointment of TIMOTHY GEITHNER? AnotherMcIntosh May 2013 #38

What a surprise to see you here, trashing another thread. Got it! babylonsister May 2013 #40

Why don't you answer, "Specifically, what is it Obama should do that he hasn't already done?" AnotherMcIntosh May 2013 #53

The vast majority of betrayals on this list woo me with science May 2013 #64

epic. Demo_Chris May 2013 #146

None of his defenders EVER respond to that when woo posts it. Occulus May 2013 #150

I suspect that Obama's defenders share his agenda... Demo_Chris May 2013 #152

Here's an easy one theaocp May 2013 #23

If he's going to grant immunity to spying telecom corps, JEB May 2013 #24

But...*sputter* the corpse of FDR was a better leader!1 Number23 May 2013 #28

Our Newbies, sheshe2 May 2013 #44

I have never understood the prejudice against newbies here Number23 May 2013 #62

note-they were never supporters to start off with. Most would again vote for Nader given 1/2 chance graham4anything May 2013 #59

Clinton 2x, Gore, Kerry, Obama 2x. Do I have the right to be critical? JanMichael May 2013 #102

Bush was seated instead of Gore and Jeb is running in 2016 graham4anything May 2013 #130

What could he do that he hasn't done? HeiressofBickworth May 2013 #29

Yep, in a nutshell. nt babylonsister May 2013 #41

Resign Demeter May 2013 #31

It would be stupid. Cha May 2013 #37

If honesty and integrity are stupid, then we need more stupid people Demeter May 2013 #94

Resigning would be Stupid. End of story. Cha May 2013 #105

Your stupidity is showing. If not our Dem Prez.,who? nt babylonsister May 2013 #112

There is a Vice President Demeter May 2013 #117

And yet you feel free Summer Hathaway May 2013 #122

If you don't see the irony of defending Group Think in a Progressive Forum Demeter May 2013 #131

Nice attempt at deflection Summer Hathaway May 2013 #142

Obama Hate Rules the goplutocrats.. Cha May 2013 #33

+1 sheshe2 May 2013 #45

.. Cha May 2013 #74

Holy crap. Cha, you should really make this into an OP. That WP story is astounding. Number23 May 2013 #75

Really?! I just saw it and posted 'cause I had to leave and need to Cha May 2013 #87

One Day After Jonathan Karl Writes Obama Off DallasNE May 2013 #34

If I may ask, what do you think he should do, babylonsister? kentuck May 2013 #35

I think something we may not be privy to..? kentuck May 2013 #39

We are all on one team Lordquinton May 2013 #42

Very nicely stated, thank you! nt babylonsister May 2013 #49

It really hit me when I was watching Billo Lordquinton May 2013 #73

He could change position on privatizing public education. He could speak against safety net cuts madfloridian May 2013 #43

Back seat drivers, sheshe2 May 2013 #46

Well there is one thing the POTUS can do zeemike May 2013 #47

'fraid not. jeff47 May 2013 #56

Only if they ask for additional funding. zeemike May 2013 #61

Nope. jeff47 May 2013 #63

I don't think you understand how the military works. zeemike May 2013 #68

Actually, it's you that doesn't. jeff47 May 2013 #71

Now how in the hell is dealing with prisoners an illegal order? zeemike May 2013 #76

Because Congress passed a law jeff47 May 2013 #77

Congress cannot pass a law that the CIC cannot order his generals. zeemike May 2013 #86

You should start paying attention jeff47 May 2013 #144

So I hear you saying that the congress has dictatorial power over the CIC. zeemike May 2013 #145

Post removed Post removed May 2013 #48

Would that make you happy? kentuck May 2013 #50

What? hrmjustin May 2013 #51

BULLY PULPIT!!!!!.....or sumpin'.... Skraxx May 2013 #54

A President or any politician sulphurdunn May 2013 #55

And not providing that list would have done what, exactly? jeff47 May 2013 #57

If Obama sulphurdunn May 2013 #138

Because we elected him dictator, right? jeff47 May 2013 #143

How would anyone know sulphurdunn May 2013 #147

Well, he could tell Republicans mercymechap May 2013 #66

I've been trying to hold my tongue about this for a long time, Jamaal510 May 2013 #67

Here's a big one. Bonobo May 2013 #69

It's not his fault. The Republicans are making him do it. nm rhett o rick May 2013 #78

It's hard to hold a person's feet to the fire... Bonobo May 2013 #93

Seems to me like there are only a few possibilities. He is helpless against the nasty Republicans. rhett o rick May 2013 #111

Are you saying the president is powerless? Helpless against the overwhelming power rhett o rick May 2013 #79

Is Congress powerless? treestar May 2013 #89

That seems to be the thinking of the fan club Doctor_J May 2013 #92

I've noticed ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2013 #81

I raised a related post yesterday ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2013 #85

The Republican vow to oppose him no matter what treestar May 2013 #88

here is what I want him to do, specifically Doctor_J May 2013 #91

My view is that at this point after so many failed attempts to make deals with congressional JDPriestly May 2013 #96

^^ This. n/t winter is coming May 2013 #101

Or he could try this simple approach? kentuck May 2013 #104

Sounds good to me. I think that is what a president is supposed to do. JDPriestly May 2013 #108

I don't know how he got sucked into this unilateral negotiating with the Republican Party?? kentuck May 2013 #109

Kent Conrad - Budget Chair, Max Baucus - Finance Chair DallasNE May 2013 #126

He could stop pretending that austerity economics are viable. winter is coming May 2013 #119

NOTHING. Had he done nothing, the Bush tax cuts would have expired. Even that was too much for him. grahamhgreen May 2013 #129

Nothing?? kentuck May 2013 #139

Usually, the anti-Obama folks don't have a plan for what they'd have done differently. JoePhilly May 2013 #135

Do you think he should be doing anything differently JoePhilly? kentuck May 2013 #140

according to JoeP if you wish Obama to do better you're an Obama hater Skittles May 2013 #151

That's an easy question to answer. LWolf May 2013 #136