# Is President Obama's proposed executive action on illegal immigrants an abuse of power? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 20, 2014, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155 "2014-11-20T13:29:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/81 "2014-11-21T16:10:31Z")
Obama’s overriding point is that whatever else needs to be done, Congress has to do it. Even his absolute imperial dictatorial authority has its limits, this is all he can legally do, and even there he has some questioned assumptions. But, heck, all the Republicans have to do is agree on their agenda, and enact it! Nothing to it! Easy-peasy… ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/82 "2014-11-21T16:13:16Z")
> [@Donald\_Rump](#): > > Slightly tangential to the thread I started, but I’m a little confused at this point. 1) Substantively, what is the actual policy significance of what Obama has done? Most of these 5 million were never going to be deported anyway, and my understanding is that most of the 400k we deport annually are criminals or people caught at the border. 2) Why did he do it? If there was political gain to be had, why not act before the midterms? Excellent post. I’m not sure how this Obamaism is substantially different than what the Obama administration and the Holder Just-Us department is currently doing. As far as the timing of it’s release is concerned, I believe the DNC didn’t want to risk turning out an even larger number of anti-Democrat-policy voters. The DNC seems to have lost the support of the so-called stupid voters who had previously supported ACA/Obamacare and now need even more support from the illegal aliens/undocumented workers organizations, plus their donations, to get the DNC message out. What is obvious to me is that Obama has no intention of working with the elected Republican and Tea Party representatives. The loyal opposition can either do what Obama wants or Obama will trash any hope of a government based on compromise. IMHO, of course. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/83 "2014-11-21T16:16:53Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Excellent post. I’m not sure how this \*\*Obamaism \*\*is substantially different than what the Obama administration and the Holder **Just-Us** department is currently doing. Just out of curiosity, do you honestly feel that the types of “cutesy” terms like the ones I bolded above actually help your argument any? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/84 "2014-11-21T16:20:04Z")
Shit, only thing he can do that they would approve of is to impeach _himself_, and then they would bitch about him acting alone! ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/85 "2014-11-21T16:26:13Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > How hard would it be for a GOP President to say, “We’re not going to go after any taxpayer who has paid at least 10% of his gross income in taxes. Resources would be best used to go after those evaders who pay no taxes at all.” And to add insult to injury, he could add: “I don’t _want_ to do this, but congress is not doing their job - all they have to do is pass a law capping income tax at 10% of gross income and I’ll gladly rescind this executive order”. > [@andros](#): > > Just out of curiosity, do you honestly feel that the types of “cutesy” terms like the ones I bolded above actually help your argument any? Just out of curiousity, are you equally curious about this type of thing when it comes from the other direction? Because it’s not as if you lack opportunity to query that too … ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/86 "2014-11-21T16:31:35Z")
Well, the “just us” line is a direct steal from Richard Pryor. Good taste, at least… ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/87 "2014-11-21T16:33:59Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Just out of curiousity, are you equally curious about this type of thing when it comes from the other direction? Because it’s not as if you lack opportunity to query that too … I am, yes. Thanks for asking. ---
**Author:** ![Donald\_Rump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Donald\_Rump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald_Rump)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/88 "2014-11-21T16:35:26Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Well, the “just us” line is a direct steal from Richard Pryor. Good taste, at least… I still like Ol’ Hillary’s Ol’ State Department better, as far as cutesiness goes. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/89 "2014-11-21T16:37:00Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > It is an abuse of power. Prosecutorial discretion was never meant to be used as a way to not enforce laws a President doesn’t want enforced. I disagree. The precedent goes as far back as Jefferson refusing (rightly, IMO) to prosecute under the _Alien and Sedition Act._ ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/90 "2014-11-21T16:42:49Z")
> [@andros](#): > > I am, yes. Thanks for asking. Well I doubt you’ll find time to post on anything else. Best of luck. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/91 "2014-11-21T16:46:47Z")
You are entitled to your doubts, and thanks for sharing with the group. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/92 "2014-11-21T16:55:27Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Well I doubt you’ll find time to post on anything else. Best of luck. 😕 I’m sorry, I don’t understand. You asked if I’m curious, and I am. If you want to call me a hypocrite for not actively seeking out–and calling out–every instance of someone using silly partisan terminology in GD, then by all means do so. But please don’t be disingenuous about it. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/93 "2014-11-21T17:03:56Z")
I’m not concerned about you specifically and whether or not you’re a hypocrite. But it’s worth putting your comment directed at doorhinge in context - your question would otherwise suggest that this is some sort of departure from the norm on his part. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/94 "2014-11-21T17:05:32Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I’m not concerned about you specifically and whether or not you’re a hypocrite. But it’s worth putting your comment directed at doorhinge in context - your question would otherwise suggest that this is some sort of departure from the norm on his part. Oh gosh no. I do not actually believe it’s a departure from the norm on his part. I actually think it’s pretty common for him, which is why I asked about it. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/95 "2014-11-21T17:06:32Z")
> [@andros](#): > > Just out of curiosity, do you honestly feel that the types of “cutesy” terms like the ones I bolded above actually help your argument any? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/96 "2014-11-21T17:07:19Z")
> [@andros](#): > > Oh gosh no. I do not actually believe it’s a departure from the norm on his part. I actually think it’s pretty common for him, which is why I asked about it. Exactly. What you attempted to do was pretend with your JAQ - as you’re continuing to do here - that it’s something peculiar to him. Which is why it was worth pointing out that it’s not. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/97 "2014-11-21T17:09:56Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > What you attempted to do was pretend with your JAQ - as you’re continuing to do here - that it’s something peculiar to him. I’m sorry it appeared that way. It was not intentional. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/98 "2014-11-21T17:10:58Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Yes. Thanks! In what way? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/99 "2014-11-21T17:11:40Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Shit, only thing he can do that they would approve of is to impeach _himself_, and then they would bitch about him acting alone! JOE BIDEN for President ! Because he couldn’t do any worse. Has a nice ring to it, dontcha think? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155/100 "2014-11-21T17:17:08Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > What is obvious to me is that Obama has no intention of working with the elected Republican and Tea Party representatives. If by “working with”, you mean “doing everything they demand”, you are probably correct, but that’s the only type of compromise they recognize. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obamas-proposed-executive-action-on-illegal-immigrants-an-abuse-of-power/705155.md?page=6)