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In reply to the discussion: Bipartisan Resolution to Compel White House to Release Legal Justification for Drone Strikes [View all]Are_grits_groceries
(17,111 posts)16. actually I think George Washington did too. It is in the constitution
You can say whatever you want and however you want to do it. There has NOT BEEN a formal declaration of war. That has to happen to invoke The War Powers Act. People use the word war for everything as in The War On Drugs. They aren't under the definition of wars that Congress has to agree with.
AND NO funding something which does mean in favor of it does not equal a formal declaration of war. Sorry how these little nitpicky laws get in the way of the President going off on a tear. They manage to finagle their way around it, but that should stop.
Please stop giving me lectures on history about what you assume I don't know. I have a pretty good idea about what Lincoln was up to and other things. I believe he was a great President, but that and a number 1 declaration is up for debate.
As for Bobby, he did do some unfortunate things such as being a supporter of Joseph McCarthy. After John's death, he became very introspective in some ways. In case you don't remember, he spent time visiting the poor in Mississippi for one thing. Whether he was completely changed is up or debate, but I believe that he became much more aware of many things.
Then there is the matter of electing the 'right' people. We are never going to be able to elect everybody we like. That's why we have to keep an eye on what laws are passed and powers allowed. The other side can use them too.
If you are going o let a President do whatever he wants without acknowledging the judicial or legislative bodies, the Constitution has been usurped. He is by default functioning as a dictator. Morsi in Egypt has done the same except he made a huge announcement. If he had kept quiet and worked behind the scenes to amass power, he probably would have pulled it off without as much fuss. People in DC are always lurking about buying power, access to power, and other things to gain as much control as possible. They hope we don't notice.