(02-24-2019, 11:17 PM)jj82284 Wrote: You still haven't illustrated how the commander and chief of the armed forces directing the military to construct a fence using congressionally delegated authority constitutes an "expansion" of government powers.

(01-09-2019, 05:28 PM)Last42min Wrote: It was clearly not designed to be used as a bargaining tool and/or a tool to let the President bypass congressional oversight. There's nothing in our defense strategy about securing the southern border. We are not at war with Mexico. The Mexican government is not sending invaders; people are voluntarily leaving to look for economic opportunity. He's not building a wall on Mexico's soil; He's building it on US soil (negating the foreign aspect). He is deliberately circumventing congress who is expressly opposing funding the wall. 

This is not difficult. The President, from a constitutional standpoint, does not and should not have the power to go around congress. National Emergencies are not clearly defined. The ways the President can use military funding are not clearly defined. This has abuse written all over it. It should be universally condemned by all parties that want to keep government in check. Here are some more "illustrations" for  you.

Climate change is a national emergency. Use military funding to build windmills and hydro power.

Overpopulation is a national emergency. Use military funding to build planned parenthoods.

School shootings are a national emergency. Use military funding to do a gun buyback program.

This can go on and on. What do you want to bet the military housing and construction budgets balloons to allow for this newfound freedom? One is only limited by marketing and creativity. Who would be better at abusing this? Dems or Reps? The former has almost exclusive control of media, art, and education narratives. It will be easier to stretch the definition of national emergency AND easier for them to justify their solution. If you think it will be limited to the border, you are just being naive. 

The BEST possible solution is that the SC forces congress to clarify the National Emergencies Act. The worst solution (long term) is for the Supreme Court to uphold this law as it stands. This is not a power enumerated to the executive branch. I get that congress delegated the Presidency with an authority, but it is subject to supreme abuse at the expense of the people. Sorry, man. Can't get on board with that. 

Again, you want war, go to war. I can't abide by the whataboutisms that allows for the inevitable unification of powers. Why not let him interpret his own laws, too?

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