Power crunch: President's message to Congress suggests trouble ahead

If you listened to President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech, you got the impression that there will be a lot of work done in the next few months as he finishes out his second, and final, term.

And you also got the distinct impression that it will be accomplished by the president himself -- rather than going through the intractable and unyielding Congress.

Sure it sounded good. And sure, it catered to the public opinion that no one in Washington is interested in accomplishing anything.

But is it true, and is it dangerous?

Students of history know that this nation's government was meant to be by the people and for the people. The branches of government were set up so there would be no chance of a sovereign -- or anyone else -- gaining enough power to overpower the will of the people.

That is why the Executive Branch can propose actions, but the Legislative Branch must fund them -- it is a check on the power of the commander in chief.

Members of Congress are elected from their individual states and districts to represent those entities. Their constituents want to have a voice in their government, and they elected these representatives to have that voice.

There should be debate in Congress -- and compromise -- on both sides. It is the right way to get things done.

The president's election does not supersede the responsibilities or power of Congress. President Obama was not given a mandate from the people of this country to take over. He is one of many voices that matter.

The State of the Union speech suggested he still doesn't get that -- and that should scare anyone who believes in the will of the people as sovereign.

This is the time to watch carefully to make sure that fundamental premise is not lost in a blaze of power struggles and opinion polls.

Published in Editorials on January 29, 2014 9:55 AM