Government by Decree: From President to Dictator Through Executive Orders (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The American spirit embodies many intangible idealsfreedom, justice, equality, fairness, respect..." (more)
Key Phrases: President Clinton, United States, White House (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Huntington House Publishers (May 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563841665
• ISBN-13: 978-1563841668
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #112,628 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Succinct and Timely Study of Presidential Power-Grabbing, April 22, 1999

By A Customer

About 30 years ago, during the Viet Nam era, there used to be talk of "The Imperial Presidency," referring to the unconstitutional arrogation by the Johnson Presidency in the Viet Nam conflict of war powers belonging to Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution. As Professor James L. Hirsen shows in this little gem of a political study, the problem of Executive encroachment on the Constitutional powers of other branches of the Federal Government has only got worse since then, principally through the device of the so-called "executive order." There is no mention of "executive orders" as such in the Constitution, and originally their use was confined to internal "house-keeping" functions within the Executive Branch itself. As Professor Hirsen shows, however, these "executive orders" (and now PDD's-for "Presidential Decision Directives") have in the last 60 years so greatly expanded their scope that they are, as this book's title warns, nothing other than decrees or ukases. "Government by Decree" in particular documents that executive order use has notably expanded under the Clinton Administration. A book for everyone concerned about our system of government.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Executive Orders Can Hurt!!, February 15, 2002

By	Jeffrey Leach (Omaha, NE USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is really more of a pamphlet than a book. In a few short pages James Hirsen outlines his belief that Executive Orders pose a serious risk to American government. Executive Orders are those nifty little notes the President signs whenever he needs to do some housecleaning within the Executive branch of government. This booklet explains that these orders have existed since the earliest days of the Republic, but only in recent years have they expanded in both number and scope.

According to Hirsen, Clinton relied on them to circumvent the legislative process when scandals torpedoed his chances of passing his programs in Congress. Two orders from the Clinton regime are reprinted in the booklet. One deals with the issue of Federalism, the other with international treaties. Hirsen believes that the order on Federalism was an attempt by Clinton to override the 10th amendment of the Bill of Rights. Hirsen believes this order would (or could) be used by the government to take away powers traditionally awarded to the states. This order also revoked two previous orders under Reagan's watch, although Hirsen is somewhat vague on what these orders were (one required a cost-benefit analysis to be performed for federal "rules," the other is referred to as only "protecting the family."). Hirsen sees the other order as a means for the United Nations and environmentalist organizations to sink their meat hooks into American sovereignty. A short conclusion makes several suggestions to curb the use of Executive Orders.

Hirsen certainly has an agenda, but he does make points. Executive Orders can be dangerous and should only be used to change rules within the Executive branch. Hirsen's concern about the United Nations seems to be on par with that of the John Birch Society and other ultraconservative organizations. His references to Helen Chenoweth and Ron Paul would certainly endear him to those groups as well. Still, for those concerned with the increasingly autocratic stance of the government, this is a good read. At the very least, it will give some even more to worry about at night!

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The real reason Clinton should have been impeached, January 31, 2001

By	D. New "History Traveler" (Republic of Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Hirsen brings arguments that totalitarians and utopians will not want to read. If the abuse of presidential power is allowed to go unchallenged, then our government will rapidly devolve into a dictatorship. Congress is almost as culpable, for not jealously protecting their law-making prerogative (how could the Founding Fathers have foreseen that their primary concern would become getting re-elected?) Every person who has any regard for Constitutional limitations on the abuse of government needs to add this to their reading list. At this price, they should buy ten and give them for gifts! . Those who live in third-world countries and dream of schemes to bleed the USA dry with global welfare will not have a clue. They should work, instead, to bring freedom and limited government, and hence, properity, to their own countries.