Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Defiant Obama says he won't bend to GOP
Following the recent midterm elections, which saw the GOP take control of the Senate and gain seats in the already Republican dominated House of Representatives, the President has vowed not to comply with legislation coming from this new Congress. There is bound to be friction between Republican leadership and President Obama over a wide range of issues, such as: Immigration, Iran, and the Keystone XL pipeline. In this situation the question of Executive order is a prominent one. Republicans fear that Obama will use this power of his office in order to bypass congress on these issues, among others. Is the President right to be so defiant in an already bogged-down and highly partisan climate in Washington?
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A part of me gets why Obama is saying this but I think it's a little juvenile. The main problem I have with this is that he is already saying no; there is no discussion or even mention of a bill. If he just vetoes everything then what's the point. I am a little surprised that Obama said this but in the end I'm not surprised by the situation.
ReplyDeleteI think President Obama's statement is very counterproductive. I understand that he feels the need to take a stand as a leader, but his defiance here isn't going to solve anything. Our government can barely pass a bill these days already, yet we still need changes, so causing more gridlock will just make everything worse. Being a leader also means being able to compromise and do what they believe is best for those that they lead.
ReplyDeleteI see where Obama is coming from. Clearly he is upset from the intense bipartisanship and gridlock he received from the GOP over the last few years. Especially when they were cosntatly filibusting bills. Yet, as a President he needs to take charge and try and work with congress and corporate. If not, he could become a bit of a "lame duck" as the article stated. As the President, Obama cannot be acting this immature , these next few months may be a defining moment in his presidency. The Keystone XL Pipline will help create many important jobs for this nation. I just hope he is able to make compromise and help do what is best for the nation.
ReplyDeleteI think that Obama should shift his stance and try to work with the Republicans. Mitch McConnell makes a good point in saying that Obama should recognize that he has a Republican-dominated Congress and there is nothing he can do to change it; he must simply work with them. Although this may cause Obama to have to make decisions contrary to his policies, I believe that it is good for the country to have a mix of ideas rather than just Obama's ideology. That being said, the Republicans should also try to compromise with Obama and not just try to push their own issues.
ReplyDeleteI too agree with Dan. I see where Obama is coming from when he says he "will not bow" to what the Republicans claim as a new "reality". I see how he can be frustrated but as President, he should be more mature and work with the Republicans to make his last two years in office productive. They should both work together to get their agendas done.
ReplyDeleteThe way in which our country was intended to work was by conflicting natures of two ideas, I think that if both Congress and the president can realize that compromise comes between conflict, then the issues on immigration would be in effect. This, however is unlikely to happen and the best course of action for Obama to make is by participation with the Republicans of the Congress to decide what can be done in the country.
ReplyDeleteI don't like that Obama will potentially be using executive order a lot but it's for a reason. Congress these days seems to have turned into a gang that attack whoever they do not like. Government seems like high school and it's turned our country from the epitome of the western world to one that struggles to find a definitive identity as a true world superpower
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nia that this is a very counterproductive thing for Obama to say. If Obama just vetoes every bill that comes into the White House, then absolutely nothing will get done in our country. I agree with Ethan, that when things like this our said in the American political system, it just makes it seem like high school. The Government should be working together to strengthen our country, not working against each other.
ReplyDeleteAs others said, I can see where Obama is coming from. After dealing with an argumentative Congress for six years, he is fed up with getting nothing done. Taking executive action seems like his best bet to fulfill his ideas, but, as the article pointed out, I think Obama has to face the reality that the American people elected a Republican-dominated Congress. As the leader of a Democratic nation, Obama has to work with Congress, which is supposed to reflect what the people want, to get things done.
ReplyDeleteI think that Obama completely giving in to the republican dominated house is not what this country needs: however, it is entirely counterproductive for him to just say that hes not going to pass anything that they want. What he should do is communicate amongst the branches of government and be like "ill approve this if the bill includes this" and so on. That way both parties get some of what they want and this state of gridlock currently facing our country can end. I think that it is irresposible for a leader to not allow our country to progress at all in the way that the house desires as they are representatives of the people (supposedly.)
ReplyDeleteI love Barack Obama so I am a little biased when I say that he should not listen to the GOP. The GOP won't do anything except fight with the Democrats and the only way this country will see any kind of change is if Obama defies them. I don't want the Keystone Pipeline and I agree with Obama's stance on immigration. He's doing what he can to keep this country afloat
ReplyDeleteThis article proves that both parties are at fault when trying to make progress in government. Though I do think that Obamas intentions and stances are sound on these various issues (climate change, the Keystone Pipeline...), he may be close to overstepping his boundaries as President. My hope for the situation in congress would be for the two parties to work towards compromise, but I do not think that will happen.
ReplyDeleteThe President is setting dangerous precendents for executive authority. The founding fathers certainly would not appreciate a President going around congress in order to achieve something. I strongly hope that lawsuits filed by Republicans make strides in reducing Obama's taste for executive orders. Perhaps Charles Krauthammer may be on to something...
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