Power of the purse?

Question

Okay.... ten points to the first self proclaimed liberal who can accurately describe "the power of the purse" and explain to me why this congress does NOT have it.

Answer 1

The "power of the purse" is the term to describe the fact that Constitutionally, only Congress can collect taxes and spend the peoples' money.

This current Democrat congress does have this power, but they do not have the courage or the integrity to take direct action to stop funding the US efforts in Iraq. They are childishly deceitful, trying to usurp the President's authority to prosecute war by attaching withdrawal timetables to the funding.

It is dishonest, it is unConstitutional, and it is loathsome.

Why don't the Democrats have the courage to act on their beliefs? Why don't they want to be held responsible for their actions? WTF is wrong with them?

Answer 2

Only congress can authorize expenditures, including expenditures for war. Congress gave the president the appropriations to conduct the war, congress can take it away. The power of the purse in this context is to influence the management of the war (which is the president's responsibility).

So they most certainly have it. They are exercising it, and it is constitutional - given that congress has this express power in the Constitution. (its' part of the checks and balances among the branches of government).

The majority of congress is opposed to the President's conduct of the war and they are trying to get his attention.

Answer 3

Came with two empty hands will be leaving with two empty hands too in planet of apes.
Keep the purse as who just came and passing-by as the has-been to be forgotten with time in planet of apes.