4 ms·

This! A "silver lining" from the current adminstration is that we've become aware that we've left way to much to custom. It's time to put some laws in place t

This! A "silver lining" from the current adminstration is that we've become aware that we've left way to much to custom. It's time to put some laws in place to act as hard guard rails. Or, as another commentor mentions, incentivise congress to exert control as they are supposed to do.

mattmaroon 11mo ago
Yes, we cannot take politicians willingly following past norms for granted. We knew this already. Washington set the precedent of only serving two terms and it lasted all the way until FDR. Then after he got 4 terms they amended the constitution to prevent it. I sincerely hope similar things happen after this administration, but, I am not optimistic. The Biden administration didn’t make any move in that direction (and he violated plenty of norms too) but perhaps the new level will scare them into action. Fingers crossed.
- davidw 11mo ago
  I think Biden was sort of the last gasp of trying to "turn the other cheek" and show by deeds and words what an inclusive, forward thinking administration looked like. I think a lot of people are now done with that, and are looking to burn down some things, figuratively speaking.
ethbr1 11mo ago
> This! A "silver lining" from the current adminstration is that we've become aware that we've left way to much to custom. It's time to put some laws in place to act as hard guard rails. The US federal government had such laws -- they were implemented around 1910. We rolled them back in the 60-80s in the interest of executive efficiency. So it wouldn't be creating a novel check and balance, but rather returning to a previous configuration where the executive's powers are more devolved into strong independent balancing bodies via Congress. (And no, the Supreme Court hasn't removed this possibility, because Congress hasn't passed intentional and unambiguous laws like this in 100+ years)
davidw 11mo ago
And beyond laws and customs, people need to be involved and pay attention to politics: "the price of liberty is eternal vigilance"

mattmaroon 11mo ago

Yes, we cannot take politicians willingly following past norms for granted. We knew this already. Washington set the precedent of only serving two terms and it lasted all the way until FDR. Then after he got 4 terms they amended the constitution to prevent it. I sincerely hope similar things happen after this administration, but, I am not optimistic. The Biden administration didn’t make any move in that direction (and he violated plenty of norms too) but perhaps the new level will scare them into action. Fingers crossed.

davidw 11mo ago
I think Biden was sort of the last gasp of trying to "turn the other cheek" and show by deeds and words what an inclusive, forward thinking administration looked like. I think a lot of people are now done with that, and are looking to burn down some things, figuratively speaking.

ethbr1 11mo ago

> This! A "silver lining" from the current adminstration is that we've become aware that we've left way to much to custom. It's time to put some laws in place to act as hard guard rails. The US federal government had such laws -- they were implemented around 1910. We rolled them back in the 60-80s in the interest of executive efficiency. So it wouldn't be creating a novel check and balance, but rather returning to a previous configuration where the executive's powers are more devolved into strong independent balancing bodies via Congress. (And no, the Supreme Court hasn't removed this possibility, because Congress hasn't passed intentional and unambiguous laws like this in 100+ years)

davidw 11mo ago

And beyond laws and customs, people need to be involved and pay attention to politics: "the price of liberty is eternal vigilance"