View source for George W. Bush/elevation of presidential power

==Overview==
This page is about [[George W. Bush]]'s efforts to substantially expand the powers of the President of the {{USA}} during his [[2000-2007 US Presidential administration|time in office]].

[[Bush's elevation of presidential power]] has greatly hindered investigation of [[corruption in the Bush administration|corruption in his administration]], and opened the door for much further corruption.

In general, Bush seems to be trying to remove the restraints (checks and balances) on presidential power which are intended to prevent corruption at the highest levels of government. He has stated repeatedly that he feels free to reinterpret or ignore the law as he sees fit, which runs completely counter to the rules set up by the Constitution.
==Related Pages==
* [[Bush's impeachable offenses]]
* [[corruption in the Bush administration]]
==Links==
===Filed Links===
{{links.tagged}}
===News & Views===
* [http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060109/schell The Hidden State Steps Forward] by [[Jonathan Schell]] (and some [http://davidbrin.blogspot.com/2006/01/preventing-tyrannypart-one.html commentary] by [[David Brin]])
* [http://www.nybooks.com/articles/19092 Power Grab]
* '''2007-07-22''' [http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/07/22/opinion/edbush.php When executive privilege becomes executive disdain] (house editorial, ''International Herald Tribune'')
* '''2006-09-29''' [http://prisonplanet.com/articles/September2006/290906_b_Gonzales.htm Gonzales Cautions Judges on Interfering] ([http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/09/29/national/w084539D78.DTL alt]): "Attorney General [[Alberto Gonzales]], who is defending [[George W. Bush|President Bush]]'s anti-terrorism tactics in multiple court battles, said Friday that federal judges should not substitute their personal views for the president's judgments in wartime." Judges are not supposed to be swayed by anything but the evidence in the case and the law; suggesting that a judge should go along with political pressure undermines the whole point of having judges who are not also political officials. Gonzales clearly does not believe in the [[separation of powers]], and Bush has not seen fit to correct his misunderstanding.
* '''2006-08-17''' [http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/001364.php Judge: "There Are No Hereditary Kings in America"] by Paul Kiel: warrantless wiretapping is ruled illegal
* '''2006-07-24''' [http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/07/24/lawyers.bush.ap/ American Bar Association (says) Bush violating Constitution]
* '''2006-02-21''' [http://www.consortiumnews.com/2006/022106a.html Bush's Mysterious 'New Programs'] by Nat Parry: raises a number of alarming points, with the "new programs" being only the cream on top. "Given Bush’s now open assertions that he is using his “plenary” &ndash; or unlimited &ndash; powers as Commander in Chief for the duration of the [[endless crisis|indefinite]] [[War on Terror]], Americans can no longer trust that their constitutional rights protect them from government actions."
* '''illegal wiretapping'''
** '''2006-08-18''':
*** [http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/08/18/judges_ruling_bars_warrantless_wiretaps/ Judge's ruling bars warrantless wiretaps]
*** [http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/story.html?id=2dfed076-a26e-45a6-8796-5fbc64674626 U.S. Judge halts NSA wiretap program]

==Actions== 
* '''2006-10-18'''(?): Signed [[wikipedia:H.R. 5122|H.R. 5122]], John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, which gives the President expanded power to declare martial law [http://www.netscape.com/viewstory/2006/10/27/bush-moves-toward-martial-law]
* '''2006-04-02''' Signed the [[USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments Act of 2006]] {{wnref|President Bush to limit congressional oversight in PATRIOT amendment act}}
==Quotes About==
* '''2007-05-18''': "The president clearly thought and acted as if he were above the law, or could bend it completely to his will. What happened was sickening, appalling on all the levels you describe." &ndash; [[David S. Broder]], [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2007/05/07/DI2007050701461.html live discussion]