Pernicious Politics

During World War Two, British General Bernard Montgomery and American General George Patton disliked each other and maintained an intense personal and nationalistic rivalry throughout the war. To the best of my knowledge, however, neither of them ever publicly stated that he wished the other would lose a battle to the Germans.

At this point, however, we have Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, important leaders of both houses of Congress, urging the President to subvert the will of Congress; something which I find utterly astonishing. They are actually urging the leader of their own party to advance the increasing irrelevance of the body of governance of which they themselves are members.

It seems they consider a victory in their Democratic battle against the Republicans to be more important than the constitution under which this nation has functioned for 226 years. A momentary victory in the battle for power between political parties is more important to them that the maintenance of the balance of power between branches of government that is defined in our governing document.

Nancy Pelosi suggests that Obama should “just go ahead and do it, based on the 14th amendment,” which is absurd as well as advocating breaking the law, since that amendment deals with the validity of existing debt and not with the creation of new debt.

Reid and the Senate leadership goes even farther, though, suggesting that Obama should “take any lawful steps” to do what Democrats want done, “without Congressional approval, if necessary.” There would not be any lawful steps, of course, since presidential action without Congressional approval would be in and of itself unlawful.

Which brings us to the issue that the president is charged by the constitution with assuring that “the Laws be faithfully executed,” swears in his oath of office that he will “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,” and that the Democratic leadership is asking him to break a properly established law of the land.

Whether they like it or not, the limit placed on the debt is a law properly passed by Congress and signed by a previous president into law.*  If the Democratic leadership thinks it is a bad law they should get it changed. If they think it is unconstitutional they should challenge it in the Supreme Court. But they cannot suggest that the Executive Branch merely ignore it or circumvent it. The president is required by the constitution to uphold that law and all laws passed by Congress and not vetoed by the president.

*Come to think of it, this limit was signed into law by Obama himself.

Reid and Pelosi accuse the Republicans of outrageous partisanship, and then they pull this nonsense; actually advocating violation of law and unconstitutional action in pursuit of partisan “victory” over Republican goals.