Doesn't it seem like the Executive branch has exceeded its authority?
103455
Yes.  An awesome power like the ability to spy on citizens should never be unchecked.  It is ASKING for abuse, whether it be a few bad apples, or a corrupt leadership.  \n\nIt is also the fault of the legislative and judicial branches for not asserting their constitutional duty to re-balance the government and restore our democratic system to balance.\n\nForce the legislature to assert it's control by voting against your Replublican representative who is compromising YOUR SAY in how things are done.  It's the best way to show them how you feel about their lack of spine!
121212
Federal branch takes care of business, it also seems to rule over those gray areas of government.\n\nState government rules the state.
143426
I don't think it's anymore corrupt than any other administration, especially the Clinton administration. People refuse to look back and see what Bush has had to deal with, terrorist attacks, many terrible natural disasters. He's had a lot of lack to pick up. I think you have to remember that when you look at what he's done in office.
7939
It's definitely a shame when authority figures abuse their power, and it's often difficult to bring justice since they are in certain ways "above the law" though they shouldn't be.\n\nHowever, I'm not quite sure what the question here is. I'm sorry, but it's very hard to follow.
915210
According to our government it hasn't reached that point yet.  According to those on the ground over there it's almost in full swing.  Who to believe?  I think I'll believe those who are in the middle of it, rather than the Administration that has been dancing around it.
500329
Both the executive and legislative branches can make laws; but its the legislative branch's primary function. The judiciary branch is supposed to apply the law..... but they seem to be creating it these days. :(\n\nEver heard of the Executive Order? The president's legislative ability is limited, but he has it nonetheless.
88628
They are among the archetects for our current debacle/fiasco in Iraq and well as the power grab being done by the executive branch - supposedly justified by this " forever " war on terra.  No, Torture, arrest with out due process, domestic spying .... No. I can NOT trust them.  They operate under WAY too much secrecy to be trusted.
574230
yes I've noticed this. The U.S.A. wants everything our way. Not so sure we want democracy. the present administration is more concerned with having there way than democracy...hopefully this will change when we get a few of these currently elected officials out of office the American people are gettign wise to there ways and soon maybe the U.S. will be happy to mind its own business again. at the current time it seems we havent done a very good job running our own country doesnt make much sense that we are trying to run everyone elses. Unfortuneately we have a few more years with the current president but perhaps the American people can rein him in a little there are many people in the U.S. that are not aproving of the ways things have been handled too bad we get the blame for what the government is doing.
498835
ALL politicians believe they are above the law.\nWE, THE VOTERS,  NEED TO FIRE THEM. HAVE IMPEACHMENTS AND RECALL ELECTIONS.
1177638
let's be fair.  that isn't all they've accomplished.  they've also debated the very important issues of whether or not to amend the constitution, even though they knew it had no chance of happening, and debating whether or not congress supports the troops.  there are a thousand ways to stall while getting paid millions.
798307
When you break down the actual power that is instilled in each branch, the answer is fairly obvious.\n\nIt seems as if the the folks who have answered think that it is clearly the Judicial Branch, but they couldn't be more wrong.  If anything, the Judicial Branch has the least amount of authority in the federal government. The Supreme Court, in fact, has only implied power. The High Court acquired the ability to deem a law unconstitutional via one of their own rulings in 1803 (Marbury vs, Madison); nowhere in the Constitution of the United States does it authorize the power of judicial review to the Supreme Court. Furthermore, the Court can only rule on cases brought before them by parties with a standing concern (i.e., individuals who are being directly and immediately affected by the law). If the case never reaches their courtroom, all the Supreme Court can do is sit idley by and watch from the sidelines. As far as the preconception that a Court ruling not being able to be overturned, that's not entirely accurate. The Congress, from time to time, can regulate and make exceptions to Supreme Court decisions, in particular where it pertains to the Court's appellate jurisdiction.\n\nYou would have to list the the Executive Branch as a pretender as well, considering that The Congress can supercede nearly every decision that the President can make. His veto powered is neutered by the fact that Congress can simply override and institute any law that the President strikes down, Presidential appointments are subject to approval by both Houses, and his job security is determined largley at their discretion.\n\nThe Legislative Branch, without a doubt, holds all the cards in this discussion.They write our laws, levy our taxes, declare our wars, confirm our Supreme Court Justices and Cabinet Officials, decide how the federal money is spent, amongst a plothera of other actionable powers. In addition to their great many capabilities, as it concerns this discussion, Congress has the authority to impeach and dismiss the occupants of the other 2 branches. This, above all else, makes the Legislative Branch, undoubtedly, the most powerful of the three.
781099
I'm surprised to read people saying that there are more important things to do.  What's more important than at least investigating an executive who broke US and international law?  If we ignore that it sets a very dangerous precedent in my opinion.
857191
It is called Checks and Balances. This means that the Executive, Legislated and the Judicial Branches all check each other to ensure that one branch is not stronger than the other. Think about it if we only had one branch in government that branch would most likely abuse power.
93746
I dont think well ever know exactly what our governemnt is doing, but with good watchdog organizations out there helping to keep an eye on them it is helping some. I wish there was a way to know more. There is too much secret shenanigans going on in our government that we dont know about untill the damage is done.
601763
well, these days, it's like weighing power on a gram scale, while we have to weigh Executive power on a freight scale.\n\nbut apart from that, I think that the Senate's ability to confirm or deny presidential appointees is considerable power (it's just that they haven't used it of late).
997323
This is par for the course. The government is made up of human beings (therefore flawed) who are in it for themselves and I don't think many of them do their jobs. I do find it difficult to believe that any fraud, especially at this level, can be perpetrated without inside help.  I know I'm not counted in the unemployment figures. I think most figures relating to disadvantaged Americans are greatly underestimated.  You could probably triple most numbers in that regard.
353321
Get a grip.  Executive orders have been around since the birth of the nation.  The US isn't about you or anyone else.  If you or I should die to further the cause of the US, then so be it.  And that goes for anyone else to, lest people think the USA won't get by without them.