Repeal of DADT up for vote in the Senate

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Gil Hamilton
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Re: Repeal of DADT up for vote in the Senate

Post by Gil Hamilton »

Bakustra wrote:Don't Ask Don't Tell was enacted into law by Congress, so him refusing to enforce it is a) a dangerous precedent and b) a major talking point for the midterm elections and the 2012 elections.
The Executive Branch is under no obligation to enforce laws made by Congress or decisions of the Court. Andrew Jackson proved that less than 50 years in.
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Bakustra
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Re: Repeal of DADT up for vote in the Senate

Post by Bakustra »

Gil Hamilton wrote:
Bakustra wrote:Don't Ask Don't Tell was enacted into law by Congress, so him refusing to enforce it is a) a dangerous precedent and b) a major talking point for the midterm elections and the 2012 elections.
The Executive Branch is under no obligation to enforce laws made by Congress or decisions of the Court. Andrew Jackson proved that less than 50 years in.
Jackson proved that the Supreme Court has no ability to compel its legal decisions nor Congress its statutes beyond the assumed respect for legality the Founders thought presidents would have. Of course, there's little they could have done; if someone is hostile towards the rule of law and gains power, they can destroy the government quite effectively. Thankfully, all Jackson did was commit a little mass murder and relocation, but his is not an example to be emulated, but a cautionary tale.

Let's ignore the considerations of history and move to practicality. How often is that done today? If the executive could refuse to enforce laws whenever it wanted to, then things would become even more politicized, as shit like healthcare gets shut down with the next Republican president or whatever. If you really think that DADT is worth risking the concept of rule of law over, well, that is your prerogative.
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Re: Repeal of DADT up for vote in the Senate

Post by Kanastrous »

Yeah, Conservatives already come as close as possible to saying (without saying it) that this administration makes up its own law as it goes along, anyway.
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