My take is slightly different. Many of the recent innovations in parliamemtary procedures are introduced by one party (usually the Dems) and then used by the other. The appointment of Cordray builds upon the idea of a recess that, if not fake, is close to it. But, that idea of keeping Congress "open" by having brief sessions was initially a Democratic ploy to block GWB from making recess appointments. Of course, the difference here is that GWB honored the forms rather than running over them.
Another example that comes to mind is the "nuclear option" of changing rules to eliminate filibusters. I think that was floated by the GOP a number of times, but they backed off. It took Democratic politics to "deem and pass" the Obamacare bill and bypass normal parliamentary procedure.
This lowering of the bar for government action (whether executive or Congressional) is a dangerous path for all of us.
I believe this whole recess appointment thing is a sham. Its original intent was to fill vacancies that occurred during the recess and recesses were long at that time, it morphed into something it wasn't intended for.