Take Care

By Tammy Derouin

I recently watched Trey Gowdy educate one of Obama’s minions at a Congressional hearing.  Marielena Hincapie, the executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, suggested that the Republicans were racist because they objected to the usurpation of power by the president by making a unilateral decision on immigration. This is classic Trey Gowdy.  He not only acknowledges her attempt to mislead but he cautions her.  He stands his ground, not leaving a smidgen of doubt about his convictions.

Ms. Hincapie then has the audacity to presume that Obama will use the Take Care Clause, of our Constitution, to implement an illegal action not permitted by the Constitution.  She states, “…He is creating a program…”  Mr. Gowdy cuts her off by informing her that it isn’t current law.  But, that doesn’t stop her.  She shamelessly states, “That is what is possible under the deferred action and that is what he has developed.”  There you have it.  The Constitution will only be used by those on the Left to Take Care of their agenda.

The president doesn’t have the authority to make laws, that’s the job of the legislature.  It’s the job of the president, using the words of the Constitution, “…he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed…”  The president’s job is to make sure the laws are followed after being passed by Congress and checked by the courts, should there be a question of its Constitutionality.  There’s no such thing as a Whining Clause, a Tantrum Clause, or even a Threat Clause, giving the executive the power to make his own law when he doesn’t get his way.   

There is a reason it takes time for a bill to become a law.  There needs to be discussion and debate.  Of course, that would require reading and investigating a bill prior to voting it into law.  The actions of one branch must be checked by the other branches to insure a balance of power.  If the executive dismisses this process, the executive becomes dictatorial.  If Congress doesn’t use their authority to check our resident Pres-a-king, a more formal coronation will be forthcoming.

A problem, no matter how small, if ignored will only grow and get much worse.  We know this to be true in our individual lives.  Sometimes we try to dismiss something that’s irritating or just doesn’t seem right.  Even when we know certain actions are wrong, calling the person out can get a little messy.  In the interest of keeping the peace, it may be ignored.  Excusing the behavior by blaming other factors only puts a temporary Band-Aid on the wound.  Without proper attention, the wound gets deeper, eventually striking a main artery.  What was once controllable and slightly painful has become life threatening with a whole lot of pain and discomfort.

When things go wrong in our lives we do our best to take care of the situation.  We will, to the best of our ability, follow the course of action that we think is best.  Even the most difficult decisions are made with the best intentions.  Would you willingly make a bad situation worse?

Decisions are made one of two ways.  In a sudden, unexpected situation, the brain moves quickly to figure out the best course of action. The mind wants the body to survive so a judgment call is made and hopefully you survive.  You usually know fairly quickly whether or not it was the right decision.

Most decisions are made over time.  You weigh the pros and cons based on facts.  Feelings do play a part in the decision making process but they get in the way if they are fictional.  When decisions are made based on feelings alone, the situation ends up getting worse.  Feelings have an agenda.  Facts are pesky inconvenient truths.  Balancing the two requires the mind and body to work together to build an inner system of checks and balances. 

The truth, although difficult at times to confront, is usually available and waiting to be examined.  The funny thing about the truth is that it doesn’t change.  It doesn’t bend or twist to meet the specifications of someone’s blueprint.  It is what it is, like it or not.  Attempting to change the truth involves deceit by altering reality to further one’s agenda. 

The truth, whether it’s in our personal life or the road our nation is on, is right in front of us.   It takes courage to not only look at it but to accept it.  Only then will we be able to Take Care by using the appropriate steps, based in truth within a system of checks and balances.

“If you can turn off certain categories of law, do you not also have the power to turn off all categories of law?”

Trey Gowdy