Commentary: Where Does Obama Get the Authority to ‘Inform’ a Private Co. to Surrender Its Money?

CNSNews ^ | 6/15/2010 | Terence P. Jeffrey

[Qbert]

(CNSNews.com) - In his first-ever address from the Oval Office on Tuesday night, President Barack Obama said he was going to “inform” the chairman of BP that he must surrender the company’s money to an independent party that will distribute it to people and businesses determined to have been harmed by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The president’s declaration raises a serious constitutional question about his authority: Where does the president get the lawful power to order any private-sector company—BP or any other—that it must surrender its money? Should not courts and normal legal proceedings determine who is responsible, who has been harmed, and who owes what to whom in regards to the Gulf oil spill?   Leaving aside BP's relative popularity or lack of it today, if President Obama, on his own initiative, can tell a corporation to surrender its money because he has determined its culpability in an oil spill, under what other circumstances can Obama or any future American president tell a corporation or a private citizen to surrender money? 

What rights do the stockholders in BP have to due process of law to protect their property? The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution says: "No person shall be … deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”

Does Obama think he can “inform” persons and corporations to surrender or exchange their property without due process of law?

[bootless]

Funny, that’s exactly the question being asked around here!

[bootless]

There’s an echo!

[April Lexington]

Expropriation!

[Dallas59]

Chavez has been to the White house...

[SCalGal]

He can’t. It’s unlawful taking of property. Unconstitutional, although he doesn’t give a rip.

[ExTexasRedhead]

Hussein thinks he’s Hitler reborn.

[grey_whiskers]

Thanks to Freeper Brett66 for the photoshop.

Cheers!

[MWestMom]

Narcissism at its height.

[April Lexington]

Does Obama think he can “inform” persons and corporations to surrender or exchange their property without due process of law?

You DARE doubt the Great Obama? Constitutional law professor and total fool??? How dare you!

[no dems]

He has no authority. BP can say to him: "BITE ME punk!!!"

[beethovenfan]

Pure dictatorship. This maniac must be stopped. What is the Supreme Court doing about these brazen abuses of power? Picking their noses?

[musicman]

"Where Does Obama Get the Authority to ‘Inform’ a Private Co. to Surrender Its Money?"

[2ndDivisionVet]

Off to the Coastal Mississippi reeducation camp for questioning Dear Leader's awesomeness and power!! Enjoy the gruel!

[beethovenfan]

Big Prick.

[FrogMom]

You do realize he just nationalized them, right?

[MinuteGal]

Yet nobody has the guts to call him on any of his shreddings of the Constitution......or file suit in federal court, do they.

Leni

[Frank_2001]

The voices in his crazed Communist head give him the authority!/s;)

[Yosemitest]

"Where Does He (Obama) Get the Authority to ‘Inform’ a Private Company—BP or Any Other—That It Must Surrender Its Money?"

HE DOESN'T!!!

EVERYONE should REBUKE THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT IN CHIEF at every turn!

If FASCIST Obama says we must go in a certain direction, the WE MUST go 180 degrees in the other direction.
Obama is wrong on every issue!

[LibWhacker]

The right of kings. The constitution is dead.