New Common Sense: Limiting Government in the Age of Obama

DECEMBER 18, 2012    |   Discover more at Heritage's First Principles webpage From Administrative State to Constitutional Government Bureaucracy, concentration of powers, and the erosion of the rule of law. The administrative state is our governing reality. This behemoth enables bureaucrats to overreach and cause profound damage with little accountability or public awareness. As a result, citizens find themselves at the mercy of government agencies and departments over which they have no control. Until now. What is the Administrative State? Is there an alternative to regulatory leviathan? What can citizens and elected officials do now and in the future to tackle this challenge? Limiting Government in the Age of Obama In spite of the outcome of the 2012 election, Conservatives need not abandon their core project to restore limited constitutional government. Even in the age of Obama, there are still three major concrete avenues to push back against unlimited government: Congress, the Courts, and the States. Watch a panel of Heritage experts explain how.  Pardon Me? The President's Lack of Mercy Barack Obama has pardoned 22 people and 5 turkeys during his time in office. George W. Bush was not much better: 200 people pardoned in eight years. This is a sharp decline from early 20th century Presidents who pardoned on average 200 people a year (number of turkeys unknown). Properly understood, the pardon power is one of the great bulwarks of individual liberty and a check on the institutions of the government.  What accounts for the lack of mercy among modern presidents? Quote of the Week "May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us in all our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy." - George Washington For more quotes, visit westillholdthesetruths.org     About The Heritage Foundation Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute — a think tank — whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. The Heritage Foundation | 214 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 | 202.546.4400 | heritage.org