Reining in the Imperial Presidency

My congressman.

 Rebellion

VERBATIM

Here's a noble - but ultimately doomed - cause. Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina seeks to limit the president's power to launch wars. Citing the lies that led to the disastrous invasion of Iraq, Jones seeks support for a resolution that restores the right of Congress, and only Congress, to declare war.
Think this doesn't affect you? This isn't a debate about legal minutiae, nor is it just about foreign policy. Bruce Fein, an expert in constitutional law, explains how the Chief Executive has mutated into a direct threat against Americans' lives and liberties:

His sights zeroed in on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the passage of which last year laid out provisions for the military detention of Americans on U.S. soil in counter-terrorism operations. “(It) empowers the President to detain any American citizen, on his say-so alone, if you provide substantial assistance to an associated force of a terrorist group,” noting that the government hasn’t even tried to define “substantial assistance” or associated force” when pressed. “That shows you the breadth of the authority that’s authorized by the NDAA — that’s a migration from the war powers usurpation,” Fein insisted, offering other examples of extreme overreach, like spying on Americans without warrant, and the unilateral decision to target individuals — even Americans — with Predator drone strikes.

Sadly, Jones has little support for his resolution, reflecting a lack of interest in a topic most people don't think affects them. Inevitably, an unchecked Chief Executive will use his (or her, if Hillary's grand ambitions come true) power to silence domestic opponents. It's only human nature. Why do I say Jones's cause is doomed? Because the abuse of executive authority isn't an anomaly, nor is it due to the failings of a few individuals. It's a natural outgrowth of an oversized central government. The imperial ruling elite won't be stopped by a toothless resolution, even if Jones managed to get it passed. The only answer is secession. Period.