Wednesday, September 17, 2008
fools for politicians
I have read this weeks column by Mr. Walter E. Williams, a retired economics professor. Mr. Williams provides a guide and information for the would be voter. The President of the United States cannot create jobs. The President of the United States cannot raise or lower taxes. The President cannot be held responsible for budget deficits or surpluses. The president cannot spend a dime that that Congress does not first appropriate. A good civics lesson. Mr. Williams ends this weeks column with a quote from an English philosopher Herbert Spencer. The quote: "The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools." This is thought provoking as we near election day, and follow the news as to what Congress is doing.
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Can you provide a link to the article?
My immediate reaction is that William's claims here are absolutely foolish. It's true that, constitutionally and according to our founding fathers (for example, in the Federalist papers), the separation of powers puts all this in the legislative branch. But over the course of the 20th century, more and more legislative functions have been assumed by the executive branch, and there are constant work-arounds that are now part of our form of government. Congressional appropriations are sometimes blanket approvals, and the details are left to the executive. Legislation is put forth by legislators on behalf of the president. To say that the president can't be held responsible for his policies, just because he had to get Congress to introduce and sign off on those policies, is just incorrect. It means that congress has to share responsibility, but it does not mean that the executive is not responsible.
As a side note, Dr. Williams is a rather extreme libertarian, and has defended strong views very far outside of a mainstream understanding of our government:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_E._Williams
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