[An.American.Expatriate]

From some things I read earlier, he is essentially asking for fast track authority to reorganize government agencies - congress must still approve though. Reagan was given this in the 80’s and Obama wants it now ...

Of course, the proof is in the pudding - IOW, once he is given the authority, who is to say he wont abuse it, as he has every other authority vested in him.

[truthkeeper]

IOW, once he is given the authority, who is to say he wont abuse it, as he has every other authority vested in him.

As I was typing away I actually DID hear him say something to the effect of, "Of course I won't abuse that authority"...and then he chuckled.
Believe me, I almost yakked.

[emax]

I dont see Obama has having the characteristics that Stalin, Castro, Mao, Che Guevara, Hilter, Franco, Tito, Mussolini, Ceaușescu or Tojo had that made them want to have unlimited power. It often seems like he is struggling with the level of power he does have. To be sure, he is interested in making many decisions without going through the procedures he is suppsoed to, and of course we can never be sure he wont abuse the power he does have. But honestly, at times I seem him as someone who would rather be a figurehead, more like the Royal Family of England than the Soviets. That is not to say for a microsecond that he cant, and hasnt already, damaged the US down to its core with the authority he does have.

[Major Matt Mason]

Reagan was given this in the 80’s and Obama wants it now ...

Not quite. Presidents had this ability for 50+ years, through Reagan's first term. Then the Dems took it away from him in '84, and no president has had the power since. And this president should not be given this power, either. He is too irresponsible (or insert your favored descriptive term here).