Editorial Review of Presidential Power

In the February  Washington Post  article Obama has a pen, a phone and a precedent author Ruth Marcus is notably trying to convince her readers that President Obama is not only fully in his right to exercise his weight as Commander in Chief by signing laws into effect without congressional approval, but that compared to history is following in his predecessor's footsteps.  Ms. Marcus is clearly trying to sway the people's personal opinion away from those of  Republican Randy Weber  who views the president as a "social dictator". There has been a lot of Americans angry over words spoken during the recent State of the Union address when President Obama stated that he had no issue bypassing the path thru Congress and using his executive actions more frequently. I, myself, was one of those Americans sitting on my couch, yelling at my T.V. during the State of the Union when this was announced.  I thought to myself  "how dare he" and "who does he think he is?".  While its clear to me in my opinion that Ruth Marcus is herself a  Democrat and readily agrees with the Presidents choices, on this matter I now have to concede and agree as well.  Ruth Marcus has pointed out in her article times when past presidents have acted in the same manner as our current president is.  Thomas Jefferson signed the Louisiana Purchase despite having doubts as to whether it was constitutional or not.  Our great President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation  into effect knowing full well the Constitutions recognition of slavery. I could make a list of every other past President doing the same thing that I was quick to judge the current administration on.  While I do not believe in the President's "Action Agenda" or his view on immigration, I can readily admit that there does not seem to be enough bipartisanship these days. In closing, I am reluctantly agreeing with a liberal Democrat.  Well done Ruth Marcus!