Libertarians for Ron Paul

The Imperial Presidency is Here to Stay

“Few presidents have interpreted their authority more broadly than George W. Bush. He has claimed the right to defy a federal wiretapping law, used “signing statements” to nullify provisions of law that he dislikes, ordered Americans arrested on U.S. soil to be held as enemy combatants without access to the courts, and generally taken a view of his power that echoes Buzz Lightyear: “To infinity … and beyond.”"

“He has had fervent support from legal thinkers who worship at the altar of a strong executive branch. The United States signed an international convention banning torture, which is also against federal law, but former Bush Justice Department official John Yoo, asked in 2005 if the president could encourage a suspected terrorist to talk by crushing his child’s genitals, didn’t say no. He said, “I think it depends on why the president thinks he needs to do that.”"

“This indulgent approach contrasts with the thinking of conservatives 50 years ago, who thought the presidency was evolving toward virtual dictatorship. A lot of today’s conservatives agree, but wish it would evolve faster.”

Full column by Stephen Chapman @ http://www.reason.com/news/show/125106.html