Lee Metcalf: “most Americans possess little knowledge of or experience with the subject of presidential directives. Indeed, even those…”

“most Americans possess little knowledge of or experience with the subject of presidential directives. Indeed, even those familiar with executive orders and proclamations may not understand the full impact of these directives on Federal, State, and local laws or on the balance of power in this Nation. By issuing executive orders, which infringe on congressional authority, it has become increasingly clear that the President is skirting the constitutional process and meddling in the legislative affairs of Congress. The result is a subtle erosion of our representative self-government and the rule of law. The President seeks to expand his authority beyond what the Constitution allows. He is using directives to seize land, usurp State law, expand the Federal Government, and spend taxpayer dollars without congressional authorization. This definition of executive power would have astonished the framers of our constitution. Their structure of government deliberately rejected the British model, which gave the king all executive authority. A steady increase in controversy over executive orders and presidential proclamations has arisen since FDR's first administration. Judging by the comments of the White House, we have even more reason to be concerned. Mr. Podesta, the President's Chief of Staff, has outlined the President's plan to issue a series of executive orders and other directives that will become the force and effect of law.”