Rule of law?

The poll numbers show that a vast majority of Americans dissapprove of Bush's leadership. Much of that, from what I have read, is frustration with the Iraq war and gas prices. But, as Shaun catches from The Boston Globe, the President has declared that he is above the law--and that should be of great concern for even Bush's conservative evangelical followers. After all, if Bush can claim this kind of executive power, so can a democratic President. I am really unsure why Republicans aren't more afraid of that.

President Bush has quietly claimed the authority to disobey more than 750 laws enacted since he took office, asserting that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress when it conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution.
Among the laws Bush said he can ignore are military rules and regulations, affirmative-action provisions, requirements that Congress be told about immigration services problems, ''whistle-blower' protections for nuclear regulatory officials, and safeguards against political interference in federally funded research."

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Speaking of presidents, and this is yet another repeat observation. I turned into CNN's special on global aids that featured former President Clinton. Once again, I am amazed by his grasp of detail and ability to connect broad issues together. I think that conservatives think that Bush is plenty smart (my favorite logic is that "he has to be to be president") or that liberals are just mean to him. And when I am less angry at what he has done to our country, I have some compassion for his lack of speaking ability. But then I think, "hey, this is the Presidency, this isn't a little league team where everyone gets to play." His inability to articulate anything but simplistic ideas is not good for our republic.

I really miss Bill.