Question: What Things Can Obama Do Now?

[Panaconda]

Question: What Things Can Obama Do Now?
By: Jane Hamsher Monday October 11, 2010 8:31 am

I’ve put the question to a number of people — if President Obama were to do five things tomorrow, what should they be?

The idea has taken root that the President is held captive by the need for 60 votes in the Senate, but his executive powers extend far beyond that. He can issue executive orders, rules and regulations, he has the power of appointment, and he can negotiate executive agreements with foreign countries.

Right now, the country is facing serious unemployment and foreclosure crises, among other problems. In his role as chief executive, without the need of congressional approval, what could Obama do immediately to address these issues?


http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/10/11/question-what-things-can-obama-do-now/

Glenn Greenwald:

1. Announce that all War on Terror detainees in Guantanamo will be entitled to a speedy trial or be released, and all detainees seized outside of active war zones shall be entitled to prompt habeas corpus review.
2. Direct the DOJ that the “state secrets privilege” will no longer be used to shield executive conduct from allegations of lawbreaking and judicial review, but instead will be used only for its traditional purpose: to prevent specific secrets documents from being used in litigation.
3. Cease targeting American citizens for assassination who have had no due process and are not on an actual battlefield.
4. Instruct the Attorney General that the White House does not wish for any Bush-era War on Terror crimes to be immunized from the rule of law, including prosecution if warranted.
5. Refrain from prosecuting whistle-blowers and journalists who have exposed government corruption and lawbreaking except in cases where serious national security harm has resulted.
6. Announce a definitive timetable for full withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, and scrap plans for a large State Department private army to be assembled to be stationed in Iraq for the indefinite future.
7. Order the State Department and Defense Department to cease awarding contracts to Blackwater/Xe based on past abuses and the dangers that relationship creates in the Muslim world.

...

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/10/15/glenn-greenwald-what-obama-could-do-now/

[leftstreet]

1. Good list, but has nothing to do with unemployment & foreclosure

It's a good list, granted, but I don't know why he thinks people would make a connection between unemployment and state secrets.

:shrug:

[The Wielding Truth]

2. Wish he would have already done these things.

[Vincardog]

3. 8) announce that whatever the "Cat Food Commission's" recommendations are THERE WILL BE NO CUTS TO S

No age changes no COLA cuts

EXCEPT TO LOWER THE RETIREMENT AGE and mandate that every raise Congress votes for itself applies to Social Security As well

[cutlassmama]

4. +1

[texastoast]

6. +65 n/t

[texastoast]

5. Kick the DINOs butts into line

Just a thought.

[alc]

7. I still want my pony

the main thing I wanted and expected was transparency and honesty. There's no specific thing he can do to win me back. Too many lobbyist. Too many talks with pharma and avoiding answering what deal was made. I don't believe they are working for our best interests and fighting for the best legislation they can for us (stimulus, health care, financial reform, etc). They may be getting the best legislation they can get from congress, but I don't know if they are trying to get better because of things like the pharma deal.

[TBF]

8. He's gonna be on mythbusters, that's better than all those combined.

:fistbump:

[maryf]

9. Great list...

sigh...K&R