The separation of powers, such a marvelous concept! With God inspired wisdom, the framers of the Constitution separated the three powers, or functions of the government, each one wholly independent, standing apart from the others. Article I. of that sacred text reads in part: “All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.” Article II reads: “The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.” And Article III reads: “The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court…”
Ought we not suppose that the inspired intent of the framers in giving to the separation of Powers such prominence, is that they, having suffered through the follies of a tyrant (King George III), would, with an eye to the future, seek to limit the power of the executive, in the fear that a future executive might abrogate unto himself unconstitutional privileges and transform himself into a tyrannical ruler? I had not thought I would be saying this, (and let me make it clear, I am speaking only for myself); I fear we are beginning to tread the deep waters the Framers warned against. I cringed during the President’s January 2010 state of the union speech when he took it upon himself to chastise the Supreme Court, this with the nine justices sitting in front of him. This infamous and unprecedented act by a President of the United States was further exacerbated by some members of the Congress rising to their feet to cheer his remarks directed at the justices, when they ought have looked upon it with the same concern I did. Members of the Congress, you sell yourselves too cheaply, and weaken your standing as our representatives! You answer to “we the people”, and not to the President! When one Power challenges another Power, one would expect the third Power to recoil with concern. To see sacred ground so trod on by the leaders of this free country I viewed with alarm! Yes! As a humble, but loyal citizen who dearly loves his country, I view such petty actions by those in power as alarming! Politics so cheaply contrived ought never be aimed at the one institution which represents the rule of law so dear to this country; that deep respect for the law, and liberty enthroned, which sets this country apart from all others and to which all others aspire. There comes the problem of the Executive Privilege, of late much resorted to by this President. We recall, he took the following Oath, “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Within that document are two sentences of much import which I quote in part. “He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate….He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration…” Ought we not then be alarmed when he makes declarations such as the following, “We’re not waiting for Congress. I intend to do everything in my power right now to act on behalf of the American people, with or without Congress. We can’t wait for Congress to do its job. So where they won’t act, I will.” Mr. President, when the constituted Congress of these United States, and the chief law making body, the Supreme Court, seem powerless to act, you will remember, that in their God inspired wisdom, the framers thought to give to this sacred document, the United States Constitution, a preface which begins with three most important words, WE THE PEOPLE!