Cheney: 'Can't base foreign policy on what Congress wants'

[spanone]

paraphrasing, but this is essentially what he just said on ABC when asked about his republican congressmen calling for Rumsfeld's resignation.

So, they don't give a shit what the people think or what congress thinks.

Now who has a democracy and who doesn't????

[many a good man]

1. It's sorta true

The Constitution delegates foreign policy making responsibilities to the Executive. The Senate approves the policy makers and the House provides funding. Both are needed to declare war. Outside of that, there's really little Congress can do between elections other than influence public opinion.

[salin]

2. and even when they take legit actions...

say like in the mid eighties when Congress cut the purse strings to the funding of any military assistance (direct or indirect) to operations supporting the Contras (using the $$ power given to Congress, not the WH) - this crew of GOPers covertly and illegally found ways (by selling arms to enemy Iran) to raise and funnel money. Point being that this particular gang (given how many Iran Contra folks are back in the WH under W and Dick) doesn't honor Congress, congressional intent, or anything about the congressional branch of govt.

[many a good man]

18. Excellent point

The far right wing, embodied by Cheney and Rumsfeld, have no respect for the Constitution. They are traitors to the Constitution and need to be slapped down forever.

[rodeodance]

3. He uses the Repug congress now. Puts up with them.

[rodeodance]

4. Dictator Mentality

[spanone]

6. Dick Tater.

[Vorta]

5. I dislike Cheney too

But our presidency is not figurehead. They get to do certain things, and as much as it stinks when we have a bad president a good president would be completely worthless if the country was run by committee. LIke a corporation, there has to be someone who has decision making authority.

Bush, in his most irritating manner, does have a handle on this aspect of running things. This was demonstrated when he was taken to task for a decision he made which was counter to the opinions of his advisors in a rather public way. He essentially said, "Yes, I listed to my advisors and I made a decision. I am the president."

God that hurt.

[OregonBlue]

9. You're a Bush supporter? Think he's beomg tough by making the

hard decisions?

[Vorta]

19. You could not possibly have gotten that from my post. No, I am not. eom

[OregonBlue]

26. Bush, in his most irritating manner, does have a handle on this aspect of running things.

Sorry but to me, that sounds like approval.

[Vorta]

28. merely an observation eom

[OregonBlue]

30. Doesn't sound like an observation, sounds like an endorsement!!

[Vorta]

32. And I have told you it wasn't. So now you know. eod

[acmavm]

11. He does have some powers that can't be denied. But he has

taken all the powers assigned in the Constution from the legislative and judiciary branches of government and usurped them. He's done this with his signing statements.

And it was NEVER meant for the executive branch to have all the decision making powers under their control. NEVER. And it was never meant for the executive branch to be able to ignore any law or legislation, or any PART of any law or legislation, that it does not like because it keeps them from doing exactly what the law or the legislation prohibits.

That was a thoroughly nice try at supporting your criminal pResident though.

[OregonBlue]

16. Exactly!!

[Vorta]

21. once again

That was a thoroughly nice try at supporting your criminal pResident though.

You must have been responding to someone else. Your post doesn't appear to be related to mine. Thoroughly nice try at shutting me down by projecting crap on me, though.

[acmavm]

23. Nope, I was responding to you. No projection necessary.

[Vorta]

24. No you weren't. You were slamming an attempt at objectivity with an unfounded accusation. eom

[acmavm]

33. If it walks like a duck, and if it talks like a duck...

You sir, are sounding like one of the people several threads have been talking about. And what you call objectivity (right) always swings back to a defense of blivet and his 'leadership' techniques.

Nice try.

[C_U_L8R]

20. Like a corporation

we are the board of directors who appoints the CEO
and if the CEO is fucking up.. it's our job to remove him.
He works for us... at our discretion

Bush and Cheney seem to forget that they are not the
primary shareholders in this enterprise.. but they act
like they answer to no one. If that's not good enough reason
for dismissal... surely their dismal performance is enough.

FIRE THE REPUBLICANS ON TUESDAY

[Vorta]

22. like a corporation

I'd say that we are rank and file shareholders. Above us are institutions and then the board.

[OregonBlue]

29. When the Chairman of the Board is corrupt, the shareholders need

to get rid of him and he needs to be prosecuted.

[Vorta]

31. From your mouth to the ears of the Bodhisattvas eom

[OregonBlue]

39. From yours to KKKarl Rove!!

[Ms. Clio]

37. but he was just lying about the listening part, meaning he's not a good "decider" at all

It's been well-documented that he does not listen to anyone who does not support his world-view and all his infantile and dangerous "idears." His "handle on this aspect of running things" is that of a monarch or a dictator, not a President of the United States.

[KharmaTrain]

7. Welcome To The Post 11/7 World

Crashcart is setting the table here...the executive will do all it can to stonewall, delay, veto and waive executive privilidge to prevent any legislation from going forward. This is why its crucial for the Democrats to take the Senate and hopefully get enough of a plurality in the House to override and overcome all the obstructions up ahead.

The game plan will be to portray the Democrats in a similar light the GOOP was painted in the 90's...demonizing Pelosi as the new Gingrich and hide under the partisan sniping they'll create to try to recoup the base.

For those who want impeachment, here's case positive of how difficult this will be. This executive will do everything it can to avoid responsibility and accountability. We'll see a lot more hostile executive that will ignore subpoenas and run to the courts to keep everything under wraps. By the time we do win these cases, it's well into the '08 campaign season.

Hopefully the Democrats will play it smart. Crashcart has all but said this regime will become even more disconnected...not good news if I'm John McCain.

[JohnnyLib2]

8. He brings out the purple middle finger in me --

and I'm way too old for that.

[Hugin]

12. This purple finger is for you Dick!

Nice line.

Thanks for brightening my day.

:)

[Hugin]

10. Here I was thinking it was solely Congress's job to declare war...

Seems like I was mistaken.

[in_cog_ni_to]

13. OMG. That says it all right there. They are the DICTATORS and

the peons who ELECTED our representatives to Congress mean NOTHING. Why does Congress exist, Cheney? I might remind the rat bastard that WE GIVE HIM HIS FUCKING PAYCHECK! WE OWN HIM. HE WORKS FOR US!

[itsmesgd]

14. King Dick

How far is he from telling us all to go eat cake?

[The Backlash Cometh]

15. Yep, they just have the ultimate decision on when we should go to

war.

[spanone]

17. That's why we haven't "declared" war. Never will again IMHO.

This makes them vulnerable to the people's will, they can't tolerate that.

[goodboy]

25. he added, "how'd you like me to shoot you in the face?" (nt)

[treestar]

27. As that is the most representative branch, it might behoove them

to show respect for what they think, and they are to be informed on many things where they have cravenly handed their power to the executive.

Cheney never recognizes the law.

[The Wielding Truth]

34. No democracy. No republic.Just cheney - rumsfeld /how?/why?

[radfringe]

35. in other words he's telling Congress to go F*** themselves... n/t

[earth mom]

36. Ah, the middle finger to congress and to us all.

:grr:

[sampsonblk]

38. A Dem Congress BETTER have balls...

There is no other way to approach this. Our side better do their jobs and get right after these crooks. Or we'll lose in '08 - and deservedly so.