Convinced that the phone and pen could defeat pen and parchment, President Obama continued his government by decree campaign in 2014.  Frustrated by Congress’ failure to pass immigration reform to his liking, he reverted to type and issued an Executive Order that he hopes will put some five million illegal immigrants on the path to citizenship.  This despite the fact that he himself previously claimed he had no such authority.  He was right:  Article I, section 8 of the Constitution gives the power and responsibility to “establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization” to Congress, not the President.

Obama and others on the Left claim every President since and including Ronald Reagan have given Illegals amnesty. Reagan did in fact grant nearly three million illegal aliens amnesty.  This was based on and interpretation of a bill passed by Congress which had the effect of deferring the deportation of those aliens.  In contrast, there is no comparable legislation the President can cite as the basis for deferring the deportation of the approximately five million illegal immigrants in question.  The bill he was counting on did not pass, so he cannot claim his is doing Congress’ will as Reagan did at the time.  He therefore is attempting to create new law where there previously was none.

The Supreme Court has ruled that it is Constitutional to force Americans to engage in commerce against their will, provided the penalty for not doing so is called a tax as with the Affordable Care Act.  The President has managed to circumvent Congress and the Constitution on numerous occasions to rule by Executive Order.  In light of these facts, it is hard to maintain the belief that Americans enjoy the kinds of liberties the Founders had in mind when they signed the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.   Even the notion that the U.S. is a “freer” country than many is slowly fading.  According to the 2010-2014 World Values Survey, eleven countries rated higher by their citizens on the question of freedom of choice in life.  The fact that we are not number one or even in the top ten should be to our shame, our eternal shame.

We Americans have been on a steady decent away from being the rulers of this country to being the ruled.  It has gotten to the point that I no longer use the expression, “it’s a free country,” anymore– it just rings hollow.   I pray one day, that “We the People” will be able to proudly proclaim our freedom again, but that day will not come until we decide no longer to barter our freedom for security or comfort.