Has Bush acted extra-constitutionally, or did 9/11 grant him the right to expand executive power?

Question

Has Bush acted extra-constitutionally, or did 9/11 grant him the right to expand executive power? Do you think it is justified that Bush has acted so powerfully to fight the war on terror or is he violating the Constitution?

Answer 1

The event of 9/11 did not grant Bush the right to expand executive power.

Bush played upon the fear of people to accomplish his goal of expanding presidential power. It is a classic technique. Hitler used it, too.

At just over 225 years old, this government is very young and we are foolish to think we are impervious to the attempts of the powerful to control us. In the days directly aft 9/11/2001, Bush ordered the military to man the streets of our largest cities and airports. Fortunately, his command had to be approved by our Senators. IF you re4cal, the senators compromised by allowing the military to control our airports, but not our cities. If you ask me, it was a full attempt at a coup. Most Americans are simply so comfortable that they never even considered the ramifications of Bush's request. Silly people. We had better wake up and soon.

Answer 2

Section 314 of Public Law #107-108 passed in December of 2001 permitted warrantless electronic surveillance for up to 72 hours. The Executive was also given additional powers in the Patriot Act passed by the Congress. Public Law #107-40, passed on September 18, 2001, authorized military action to combat terrorism. Public Law #107-243, passed in 2002, authorized military actions against Iraq. Many of the reasons contained in that law were already present in the Iraq Liberation Act , which passed on October 31, 1998. So, whatever increase in executive powers may have come after the attack on America, the Congress extended those powers by passing the laws which did so.
It will be left to the Supreme Court, carrying out its judicial review, to determine whether or not these laws are repugnant to the Constitution and, therefore, null and void.

Answer 3

The President has no more power than Congress willingly gives him. Congress authorized the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the Patriot Act.

Answer 4

You can't go beyond the Constitution... and he was trying to expand it before 9/11.

Answer 5

warrantless NSA wiretaps violate the constitution

Answer 6

He has broken his oath on several occasions and should be impeached and convicted.