That was then, this is now

The more I listen to the Obama administration and the current Democratic legislature, the more I am convinced that this is the very real slogan of the Democratic party.

Once upon a time, “Dissent was the highest form of patriotism” (Said by Howard Zinn and (conveniently) mis-attributed to Thomas Jefferson), but, apparently, this bit of political philosophy had a sell-by date.  Nowadays, Democrats are demanding submission of their political rivals, candy-coated as “bi-partisanship.”  Of course, their grasp of “bi-partisanship” is about as good as their knowledge of historical quotes — it does not mean “roll over and give us what we want.”

Now, this is not the only example of what Massachusetts Democrat William Bulger would describe as a “tendency to forget.”

Once upon a time, the Democrats would argue that the American Bar Association set “the gold standard” for judicial nominees.  That was, of course, before Harry Reid’s pet pick received a less-than sterling recommendation from the group, leading the Nevada politician to recommend the association “get a new life.”  Of course, consistency with regard to the judiciary has never really been a major consideration.

These, however, would appear to be merely the warm-ups.

Now, despite candidate Obama’s stated positions on signing statements and executive orders, President Obama would seem to be warming up to take the unitary executive out for a joy-ride.

“We are reviewing a list of presidential executive orders and directives to get the job done across a front of issues,” said Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff.

Any president has vast authority to influence policy even without legislation, through executive orders, agency rule-making and administrative fiat. And Mr. Obama’s success this week in pressuring the Senate to confirm 27 nominations by threatening to use his recess appointment power demonstrated that executive authority can also be leveraged to force action by Congress.

Mr. Obama has already decided to create a bipartisan budget commission under his own authority after Congress refused to do so. His administration has signaled that it plans to use its discretion to soften enforcement of the ban on openly gay men and lesbians serving in the military, even as Congress considers repealing the law. And the Environmental Protection Agency is moving forward with possible regulations on heat-trapping gases blamed for climate change, while a bill to cap such emissions languishes in the Senate.”

Simply stated — that was then, this is now.  The “hope and change” of Candidate Obama — the promise of a new tone in the Washington and a glorious utopia delivered by winged unicorns has given way to “Come meet the new boss, same as the old boss” of President Obama.

Too bad the “old Boss” he resembles the most is Jimmy Carter.