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> But the threat of unbridled autocracy was less present under Obama than it will be under Trump. The creation of the laws is the creation of the autocratic po

> But the threat of unbridled autocracy was less present under Obama than it will be under Trump. The creation of the laws is the creation of the autocratic power. The temperment of who ever is in power at a particular point is irrelivent. By creating the law you automatically open the door to use those laws.

diyorgasms 10y ago
Agreed, and I opposed the Bush expansion of executive powers and the Obama expansion of executive powers. Perhaps not everyone has been ideologically consistent throughout this process but there are those of us who have. And as you have pointed out, the major difference is temperament. Obama has not exhibited a temperament that has led me to believe he would use these powers to round up run-of-the-mill opposition. Trump's opposition to protests and potential unwillingness to concede an electoral loss leads me to believe he would mobilize the executive apparatus into dictatorship, unlike Obama or Bush before him.
- generic_user 10y ago
  Good, there are not many who have evaded the grips of the partisan blob. Each side takes credit for the same national security policy wrapped in different language and each side pushes the policy a little father. The perfection of the total surveillance state with unlimited Presidential power is truly the bipartisan crown jewel that the Washington consensus wants. Its a dramatic picture but maybe people need to be scared out of there apathy at this point.
hackuser 10y ago
> The creation of the laws is the creation of the autocratic power That isn't true in the U.S. system: Laws are created democratically, are subject to other laws (in the Constitution, conflicting laws, court rulings), and the actor's (e.g. the President's) power is limited by the law itself, other laws, institutions, and other branches of government. Furthermore, many laws remove or constrain power, such as those in the Bill of Rights.

diyorgasms 10y ago

Agreed, and I opposed the Bush expansion of executive powers and the Obama expansion of executive powers. Perhaps not everyone has been ideologically consistent throughout this process but there are those of us who have. And as you have pointed out, the major difference is temperament. Obama has not exhibited a temperament that has led me to believe he would use these powers to round up run-of-the-mill opposition. Trump's opposition to protests and potential unwillingness to concede an electoral loss leads me to believe he would mobilize the executive apparatus into dictatorship, unlike Obama or Bush before him.

generic_user 10y ago
Good, there are not many who have evaded the grips of the partisan blob. Each side takes credit for the same national security policy wrapped in different language and each side pushes the policy a little father. The perfection of the total surveillance state with unlimited Presidential power is truly the bipartisan crown jewel that the Washington consensus wants. Its a dramatic picture but maybe people need to be scared out of there apathy at this point.

hackuser 10y ago

> The creation of the laws is the creation of the autocratic power That isn't true in the U.S. system: Laws are created democratically, are subject to other laws (in the Constitution, conflicting laws, court rulings), and the actor's (e.g. the President's) power is limited by the law itself, other laws, institutions, and other branches of government. Furthermore, many laws remove or constrain power, such as those in the Bill of Rights.