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Bush Accused Again of Violating Constitution

It seems that President Bush may have been violating the Constitution a lot more than his opponents originally thought. The presidency of George W. Bush has seen one of the largest, most comprehensive erosions of the traditional ?separation of powers? principle enshrined in the Constitution, as statements from the White House have sometimes taken on the air of an emperor?s dictates, it has not been simply for the purposes of late-night monologue humor that this presidency has been referred to many times as ?the imperial presidency?.

The most recent issue having to do with Bush?s ignoring of the Constitution concerns ?bill signing statements?, or caveats or exceptions to laws that the president signs into office. Up to the Bush II years, all American presidents had amassed a total of 600 signing statements to American laws. In the five years that George W. Bush has occupied the Oval Office, he has signed 800 such statements. And a recent investigation by the American Bar Association (ABA) has revealed that not only are these signing statements disproportional to the necessity, they pose a danger to American democracy.

Says the ABA?s Michael Greco, president of the 410,000 member organization, ?This report raises serious concerns crucial to the survival of our democracy. If left unchecked, the president`s practice does grave harm to the separation of powers doctrine, and the system of checks and balances that have sustained our democracy for more than two centuries.? The ABA is debating whether to, as a group, denounce the practice and pursue legal action against the White House. A decision is not expected until after the group meets for its annual meeting, to be held next month in Hawaii.