Can the Commander in Chief Hire Civilians Without Congressional Approval?

[demwing]

Is there a way that Obama can use military funding to hire civilians to shore up our domestic infrastructure, and call it national defense? By paying for it out of the military budget, is it possible to do an end run around the do nothing Congress, and get the damned unemployment rate down?

Can we start this last week?

No matter what Mitt Romney has, or does not have in his tax returns, Obama had GOT to be seen as the better candidate to fix the economy, and that still has not happened.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Congress controls the purse

Short answer, no...

[demwing]

2. If the President can send air strikes against Libya without approval

and destroy infrastructure in a foreign country without approval, why not do the opposite here with a similar (but much more positively motivated) disregard?

When Congress whines, the President can make his case directly to the American people. Let Boner and Romney call it political, people will be working, and they won't give a fuck.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Because in theory

He shouldn't be able to do that either.

The power to declare war is again with congress. The fact that the last declared war was WW II does not change that fact. Actually I wish Congress got a lot more whiney and retook that enumerated power from the executive.

[demwing]

9. You're not wrong, but that's not the point

the point is that right or wrong, it's not set to change any time soon. Why not use a bad process to do good? In fact, if you want to see that power taken back from the executive, then let the executive use it for good, as I suggested. That'll kill two birds...

[tularetom]

3. "If the President does it, that means that it is not illegal..."

It wasn't a Democrat who said that.

It is always easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission. He should just do it.

[demwing]

5. Exactly, and who will stop it?

Who will expend political capital to stop Americans from working to save America?

Ther worse that could happen is that Obama loses the election, but if the economy doesn't get going ASAP that might happen anyway.

[mrmpa]

4. The department of defense's budget is not only for the military....

it also includes the civilians on military bases, at the pentagon, etc.

[demwing]

6. So juggle what has already been budgeted

to get Americans working now.

You want to see Obama's stock go up? You want to see states go blue? You want to see our roads, levees, dams and bridges repaired, our water mains and power lines modernized?

yeah, I sure as hell do.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Riddle me this

You do know who the US Corp of Engineers is, ad where their budget is? I'll make it easy, DOD.

[demwing]

10. So again, there always seems to be DOD funds for anything and everything

let it be so for the Corps of Engineers as well.

Don't declare war on our crumbling infrastructure, just call it a peace keeping mission

[mrmpa]

11. you got it.........eom

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. Get fami,Ira with sequestration

And what do you think the Corp is responsible for? Oh yes, Infrastructure.

If a Republican does it, the howls...but a democrat is fine?

I got a better idea, declare a national emergency, suspend the constitution, suspend elections and have a king.

That's what you're asking for.

Yes, system needs changes, bu I am not for actually throwing the baby with the bath water.

[demwing]

13. Oh Please, don't be so offended

"declare a national emergency, suspend the constitution, suspend elections and have a king. "

What I'm suggesting isn't any where near such extremism, and you know it. First, not everyone agrees that the power to commit forces is outside of the Presidents authority. Second, if I were to howl about anything, it would be a bipartisan howl. Many times here I've criticized our President when I thought he acted inappropriately, so you can't paint me with that brush. Finally, I don't hold to the theory that ethical issues are directed by moral absolutes. Some action are ethical under some circumstances, and unethical under dissimilar circumstances.

Using the authority of the commander in chief to create jobs and secure our domestic safety, and economic viability is not comparable, IMO, to illegally killing people in the name of oil profits. Do you see the two issues as equivalent?

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. Actually it is, this would, correctly mind you,

Throw the country into a constitutional crisis.

[demwing]

15. Crisis? Doubtful

if killing people hasn't thrown the country into a constitutional crisis, why would employing people?

And, if this were to bring the issues to a head, wouldn't that be a good thing?

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. Whatever, you are advocating for a king

Sorry if I am not a lemming.

[demwing]

17. "whatever"?

As in "Whatever you say, I'm not listening, because I've already made my mind up -- context and facts be damned" ?

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. I gave you the reasons why this LEGALLY

Is not happening. Sorry if some of us still care for it and would love a REVERSAL of the IMPERIAL PRESIDENCY.

Bye

[demwing]

19. You gave an opinion

and while I personally respect your opinion, I understand that it is not the only opinion.

Ethics are not binary.