Decency, Trump and Obama.

[Dill]

(03-11-2017, 03:38 PM)Belsnickel Wrote: Congress has certain authority with regards to the POTUS, but do they have the ability to codify any of the traditions that have existed? We can't really be certain at this point. It would likely require a constitutional amendment, but that would not likely happen.

The issue is that it seems like abuse of power because your ethical code would lead you to that conclusion, as it would for many other people. The problem is that there is nothing by law that would be an issue for many of these things. Just about everyone agrees with the position that it would be an abuse of power, but that doesn't really mean anything until the next election comes around and people voice their opinions. Of course, that doesn't even mean it will make a difference at that point, either.

It looks like there has been a massive shift in voter ethics in this election, as in ethics don't really matter the way they used to, or if they do they matter selectively. For some groups, it matters if the other party's candidate lies or generates the appearance of conflicting interests, but not their own.

You think that only an Amendment, not a Congressional Act could put more requirements on a presidential candidacy or secure more disclosure/divestment regarding business interests? The War Powers Act curtailed presidential power a bit without an Amendment. Congress has he power of the purse, which can curtail crazy projects like the wall, but it would be ineffective against random disruptions of treaties and public tweets undermining the intel and other government agencies.

It is a confusing/distressing situation. One can imagine many ways in which a Trump tweet storm could damage national interest and even cost lives. And if the damage is severe enough, Congress could be prompted to act. But it is impossible to prevent the abuse before it happens.