What the Constitution says vs. what some people think the Constitution says

[UrbScotty]

First thing the Constitution says after the Preamble:

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

It does NOT say:

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in the President of the United States.

Why so many people seem to forget or ignore this - and demand that Obama repeal DADT when it is actually up to Congress - is not clear to me.

[VMI Dem]

1. Its not clear to me why someone that could give a shit calls themselves a fierce advocate.

:shrug:

[MineralMan]

2. There is a huge gap in people's understanding of how the

system of government works in this country.

[golddigger]

3. Obama could do it with an executive order. I don't know why

many people forget or ignore this.

[VMI Dem]

4. We need to survey more people first.

[H2O Man]

5. While I am opposed

to President Obama's position on the human right to marry, I agree with the OP on this issue. Those who are interested in more information on why President Obama cannot simply overturn DODT should read Taylor Branch's "The Clinton Tapes," and Jonathan Alter's "The Promise: President Obama, Year One."

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

6. The "defense" that Obama has no leadership skills is tired

Yes, Congress has the full legislative power.

And yes, congress wouldn't follow Obama out of a burning building.

Between those two factors be is an unusually ineffective President.

Not news to anyone.

[ZombieHorde]

7. President Obama has the power to halt the firings until DADT is repealed.

Some people want President Obama to use that power.

Another way of considering the claim, "Why so many people seem to forget or ignore this - and demand that Obama repeal DADT when it is actually up to Congress - is not clear to me," is to consider positive reforms in which the POTUS receives credit for, such as President Clinton receiving credit the Family and Medical Leave Act, which was actually championed by Patricia Schroeder.

[zipplewrath]

8. You realize Obama asked them to wait right?

He has the power, right now to end the expulsions, under DADT.

Congress is working on repealing it right now. Obama held a meeting with them and the DoD and encouraged them to wait until after the study was done.

Obama is the one dragging his feet on all of this, not congress.

[FBaggins]

9. The executive also has a duty to uphold that Constitution.

If the legislative branch passes an unconstitutional law, even if another president has enforced that law, the executive has a responsibility to reject it.

And no... that is not exclusively the responsibility of the judicial branch. All three branches have that duty.

If DADT is offensive to the constitution, then the president has a duty to reject it. Not "repeal" it per se... but refuse to enforce it.

Why so many people ignore this is not clear to me.

[sailor65]

10. It's a matter of what we're saying vs. what you think we're saying

Obama has the authority to stop discharges right now, with no input whatsoever from Congress. His excuses fall flat in light of his refusal to do so. What most of DU wants is for him to do that one thing. Has nothing to do with legislative powers.