People can joke about "King Biden," but the reality is that the Supreme Court has significantly expanded the powers of the President. Modern Democrats often take the high moral road, but look where we are now. The U.S. democratic system of government was an amazing world-changing innovation. However, as the oldest democratic system, it is full of flaws and gaps. For the past 200 years, these problems in our system were papered over by gentlemen's agreements. The Republicans have taken advantage of these gentlemen's agreements and used them to corrode our system in their quest for power. For example, while the Constitution says the President appoints Supreme Court justices with the advice and consent of the Senate, what happens if the Senate refuses to give advice and consent? A loophole that no modern democracy would have but ours does. The fact is if Trump wins, he will be a dictator. So, what does Biden do? Seriously. Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War did many questionable legal acts to save the Union. What should Biden do between now and the election? Does Biden do undemocratic things to save our democracy?
The recent Supreme Court decisions have undeniably expanded presidential powers, creating a precarious balance of authority that President Biden must navigate carefully. The pressing question remains: how can he utilize these powers responsibly without undermining the democratic principles upon which the United States was founded?
Democrats, historically committed to high moral standards and procedural fairness, now face the repercussions of such an approach. While adhering to principles is commendable, it has sometimes left the party vulnerable to political maneuvers that exploit systemic loopholes. This vulnerability has been evident in situations where Republicans have bypassed traditional norms, significantly impacting the balance of power.
The U.S. democratic system, though revolutionary at its inception, is showing its age. Many of its flaws and gaps, previously managed through mutual respect and informal agreements, are now glaringly apparent. The refusal of the Senate to advise and consent to presidential appointments is a prime example of how these gentlemen's agreements can be weaponized, creating a stalemate that undermines the functionality of the government.
The potential return of Donald Trump to the presidency poses a serious threat to democracy. His previous tenure demonstrated a willingness to circumvent norms and exploit ambiguities within the system. If he wins again, the fear is that he might consolidate power to an unprecedented degree, pushing the country toward authoritarianism.
During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln took extraordinary measures that, while controversial, were deemed necessary to preserve the Union. His actions, though sometimes stretching legal boundaries, were driven by the imperative to save the nation. Biden now faces a similar dilemma: should he take undemocratic actions to protect democracy itself?
