There is a recurring theme here on Daily Kos about how President Obama can do nothing more about the poor economic situation facing America, with regard to unemployment, the housing market and other economic indicators. Ufortunately he is not a dictator and is hamstrung by a Republican House that will not let him pass any more economic stimulus or any other measures for that matter.
And then we have two dueling diaries on whether Obama is acting unilaterally in Libya or not:
From the one that argues that he is:
If the problem is that Obama does not think that Congress will give him the authority and the money to wage this war, then he has to get out. If the problem is that he really believes that he doesn't need their approval, that is an even worse scenario. And it certainly looks like we are in the latter scenario.
From a comment in the 'pro-Libya' diary:
Why doesn't he just make his case to Congress and get the rubber stamp that many are saying he needs? And why are his most ardent [supporters] so outspoken and aggressive on this particular issue?
There must be a reason.
So, we do see how Obama gets what he wants (for whatever reason) - he does an endrun around Congress. He is parsing the meaning of war to defend his actions, saying what he is undertaking does not require Congress's authorization.
This is what a strong leader does - he has taken a strong position on what he considers important and is taking the necessary steps to see his intentions fulfilled. Fine. So - apparently, Obama can get done what he wants after all, despite the fact that he has a Congress in the opposing party that objects to his every move. I may not agree with his motives, but I admire that he is getting things done.
Which brings me to this dilemma: are jobs, and the American economy important? Does President Obama feel as strongly about economic issues as he does about military intervention in Africa? He has said over and over that he will not rest until every American that wants a job is working. But there is 'no political will' for any more stimulus and no more weapons for the Federal Reserve to enact. So, why does Obama fold here and let Congress have its way, and focus instead on the debt and defiict? Reducing spending will even jeopardize his future initiatives in clean energy investments and education.
I for one would love to see Obama do what it takes to get the economy going, as he has achieved his aims in Libya.