Why you quit the GOP

Submitted by Michail Kalman (United States), Aug 1, 2016 at 02:30

Dr. Pipes,

I hold no animus on your decision.

I do however, object to your key reason that as President, Trump can or may do anything he wants. The history of the presidency is clear that this is not the case. We have a clear separation of powers, checks and balances, and other tools clearly delineated in the Constitution to protect the people against just such an occurrence. Virtually the entire history of the Presidency has been one of the tension and struggle for power between the legislative and executive. There has been a significant change in this as the founders have clearly limited the powers of the executive and of the other two branches

The change has been in the interpretation that the Constitution outlined the minimum powers and as such any powers not delineated are there for the grabbing subject only to the reaction of the people through their elected representatives and the judiciary in its ability to review such power grabs in light of the language of the Constitution. This interpretation has opened the door for most if not all presidents to one extent or an other to assume powers that are not in evidence in the Constitution. This needs to be addressed before we do wind up with an imperial presidency.

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