Checks and Balances
Edit: It seems the news has been amended with a new addition. Now it is being called "The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act" which amends the existing Civil Rights Act of 1964. Though there doesn't seem to be any mention of what was stated earlier about this being an Executive Order. In either case, until then I'll assume this was also approved by congress and all is well again.
As many people are aware in the past eight years there has been considerable strain and reduction on this fundamental goal in the US Constitution. It certainly is not rare that any one branch manages to utilize it's strength to establish some kind of de facto ordinance across the country. I'm sure most people (Obama Supporters) are feeling more relieved now that Executive power will finally be diminished as Obama listens to both supporters and dissenters to work out a positive solution to the benefit of everyone.
However, today Obama has disappointed me and my hopes of curbing Executive power. If I understand correctly, closing the Secret Prisons which were originally created via the Executive Branch (Since it technically manages the Armed forces as the president is the commander in chief) is simply one Executive era checking another Executive era. Unfortunately, the events today has gone beyond that, Obama has personally signed an Executive Order to nullify the Supreme Court's check on the Executive Branch.
A little bit of context here: "With Ledbetter standing by his side, Obama said she lost more than $200,000 in salary, and even more in pension and Social Security benefits that she "still feels today." He then signed the measure that effectively nullifies a 2007 Supreme Court decision and makes it easier for workers to sue for discrimination by allowing them more time to do so." - PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press
I would like to point out that I am not against "Equal Pay for Equal Work" as that makes sense from my perspective, however the Ends hardly justifies the Means in this case. Even if the Supreme Court is 'Wrong' (Right and Wrong are relatively these days based on society values. Personally I find their decision highly suspect and should be overturned) in their decision, Obama should urge the Supreme Court to overturn their own decision instead of signing an Executive Order which nullifies it. This blatant extension of Executive Power does nothing to help the stability of the country, and instead it only strengthens the Executive Branch which at least during the past eight years still had to bow to Supreme Court Decisions whether they were in line with the current administration or not.
Essentially, I applaud Obama's willingness to right social issues in this country; however, I do not applaud the method at which he is going about it. Best of luck Obama, you have your work cut out for you. In closing, the same phrase I've used since you were elected that day in November, "Don't Fuck up Obama."
As many people are aware in the past eight years there has been considerable strain and reduction on this fundamental goal in the US Constitution. It certainly is not rare that any one branch manages to utilize it's strength to establish some kind of de facto ordinance across the country. I'm sure most people (Obama Supporters) are feeling more relieved now that Executive power will finally be diminished as Obama listens to both supporters and dissenters to work out a positive solution to the benefit of everyone.
However, today Obama has disappointed me and my hopes of curbing Executive power. If I understand correctly, closing the Secret Prisons which were originally created via the Executive Branch (Since it technically manages the Armed forces as the president is the commander in chief) is simply one Executive era checking another Executive era. Unfortunately, the events today has gone beyond that, Obama has personally signed an Executive Order to nullify the Supreme Court's check on the Executive Branch.
A little bit of context here: "With Ledbetter standing by his side, Obama said she lost more than $200,000 in salary, and even more in pension and Social Security benefits that she "still feels today." He then signed the measure that effectively nullifies a 2007 Supreme Court decision and makes it easier for workers to sue for discrimination by allowing them more time to do so." - PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press
I would like to point out that I am not against "Equal Pay for Equal Work" as that makes sense from my perspective, however the Ends hardly justifies the Means in this case. Even if the Supreme Court is 'Wrong' (Right and Wrong are relatively these days based on society values. Personally I find their decision highly suspect and should be overturned) in their decision, Obama should urge the Supreme Court to overturn their own decision instead of signing an Executive Order which nullifies it. This blatant extension of Executive Power does nothing to help the stability of the country, and instead it only strengthens the Executive Branch which at least during the past eight years still had to bow to Supreme Court Decisions whether they were in line with the current administration or not.
Essentially, I applaud Obama's willingness to right social issues in this country; however, I do not applaud the method at which he is going about it. Best of luck Obama, you have your work cut out for you. In closing, the same phrase I've used since you were elected that day in November, "Don't Fuck up Obama."