Of Tyrants, Kings, Alito and Bush (Buzzflash)

[struggle4progress]

... Sam Alito was, in the Reagan Administration, a big proponent of the White House (that is a Republican Executive Branch only) having the ability to sign a Congressional law but rephrase the law by stating how the Executive Branch means to interpret the law. In short, Alito believes a Republican president can change a law by simple monarchal proclamation.

No, we are not making this up. (See: "Alito Once Made Case For Presidential Power")

This leads us directly to the new alleged "torture ban." Bush signed the bill, but following Alito's advice, he plans on interpreting the bill in a manner that allows him to make decisions that supersede (violate the law) as he sits fit. (See: "Bush Could Bypass New Torture Law")

In short, if the Democrats in the Senate don't make a last stand for democracy, we won't have one. What do you need a deliberative body of elected officials for if you have a tinhorn dictator who believes he IS the law? Bush does not just perceive himself as above the law; he believes that he determines the law. And Supreme Court nominees like Alito support this monarchal view of imperial power ...

http://www.buzzflash.com/analysis/06/01/ana06002.html