Recess Appointments Blocked
The Senate is taking this opportunity to take back some power stolen by President Bush who believes himself Emperor. It’s a small thing, but it is important. Technically the Senate didn’t take a recess for Thanksgiving or Christmas. It would be understandable if you missed the important work they did during this time and were sure you saw them back in their home districts.
Senator James Webb, a Democrat from Northern Virginia, alone stands vigil. He enters the Senate chamber gavels the session to order. Maybe he determines there is no quorum or maybe he just gavels out immediately. In either case, the senate comes to order, which means it isn’t in recess. If the senate isn’t in recess there can’t be recess appointments.
Throughout his presidency Bush has used the power of the recess appointment to appoint extreme right wing idealogues whom the American people would cringe at if they looked at any great detail. In some cases he has even given recess appointments to people who the senate has rejected or who’s name he had withdrawn because it was clear they would be rejected.
In his belief that checks and balances shouldn’t apply to him and that they are quaint ideas he has used the recess appointment to effectively remove the Senate’s confirmation power of advice and consent. The senate is taking reasonable action to reclaim their constitutionally mandated role in political appointments.
The American people eventually wisened up and voted in a divided government. When politicians acted as individuals of conscience, it might have been acceptable to have all the branches of government under the power of one party, but since now politicians are merely extensions of the party and don’t seem to vote against the party, we need a divided government. It is through that divided government that we ensure the president can’t just stack the government with the worst kind of extreme idealogues. In my opinion the president does not deserve deference and giving it to him because he was elected ignores why we elected the Senate.
Bypassing those checks and balances voted in by the American people is the sign of someone who wants to be a dictator, not a president.
References: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/23/AR2007122301708.html