Obama's new title - Hypocrite in Chief

Question: "When Congress offers you a bill, do you promise not to use presidential signing statements to get your way?" 

Senator Obama: "Yes. We aren't going to use signing statements as a way to do an end run around Congress," (May, 2008).

"If Congress refuses to act, I've said that I'll do everything in my power to act without them," President Obama, (March 2011).

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Despite solemn pledges to the contrary and criticism of President Bush for his use of presidential signing statements, Obama has entered the ranks of the high hypocrites by regularly employing statements of his own to get his way despite the will of Congress.

It isn't supposed to be that way.

Presidential signing statements are pronouncements added by the President when signing a bill into law. James Monroe issued the first signing statement. Since then it has been a way for Presidents to convey their opinion on important laws as they take effect. This opinion can affect enforcement, and even undermine the law itself. 

The use of signing statements is controversial, but the Supreme Court has never addressed the issue directly. Historically, they have just been commentary on the law, such as a triumphant proclamation. It wasn't until the presidency of Ronald Regan that they became routine. Now they number in the hundreds. 

The problem with President Obama is he made a pledge not to use signing statements to circumvent Congress, but now stuck at the possible end of his administration with a Congress that refuses to bow, he has started to use those statements as a routine method for undermining the will of Congress. 

Obama introduced his 2008 quote with, "I taught the Constitution for 10 years. I believe in the Constitution and I will obey the Constitution of the United States."

For someone who is supposed to be an expert on the Constitution and has such a strong opinion against the use of signing statements, his reversal of opinion demands explanation. Of course, none may be needed. William M. Daley, Obama's former Chief of Staff told the New York Times, "The president expressed frustration, saying we have got to scour everything and push the envelope in finding things we can do on our own."

For someone who abhors end runs around Congress, this is certainly a big shift. 

And now Obama is taking this to the next level by adopting the slogan, "We can't wait," on his website. Of course, what he's saying on the site is that the President cannot wait for Congress to create jobs. Never mind that job creation is not a responsibility assigned to the government in the Constitution. Rather, if anything, it's the responsibility of government to keep out of the way of job creation. But Obama is building his platform on individual rule and his ability to circumvent democracy by issuing edicts. So, I guess after the next election if Obama wins his new title will be 'Emperor Obama.'

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Is this the same man who taught the Constitution for 10 years? Is this the man who swore to uphold and protect the very process he now rails against?

If so, it also makes him something besides President; it makes him the Hypocrite-in-Chief. 
Fair warning folks. 

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