Think about it. If the Trumpsters really want their anointed one to declare a National Emergency to build their bigoted wall, the precedent would be set. A precedent for any future President to declare a national emergency for any program too politically hot for Congress. Government by Presidential decree. For all practical purposes our democracy would be over. But just as an intellectual exercise, let’s just list a few items you would like to see on a Democratic President’s National Emergency Declaration.
We’re not arguing the legality at this time, that’s another discussion. Just a list. I’ll start
Gun Violence/Gun Control
A Banning of all assault type weapons.
To start. No new sales or manufacturing (for civilian use) of assault type weapons. Definition of assault type weapon TBD.
Universal background check on all sales of guns. Including private sales.(Failure to comply $10K fine for first offense. 2nd Offense $25K fine and six months confinement. 3rd Offense $100K fine, 5 years of confinement and lifetime ban from owning or possessing any firearm.)
Climate Change
This could be a series of directives.
Everything from the shutting down of all current or future oil exploration. To ordering all automobile manufacturing to stop the production of ICE (Internal Combustion Engines) by 2025-2030. (You already see Europe and China heading in this direction).
The shutting down of coal fired electric plants.
There are many more I’m sure several of you will add.
Health Care Crisis
Due to the high cost and the lack of 100% coverage, Universal Coverage could be instituted. The gradual withdrawal from dependence on health insurance companies.
A tax on high income individuals to pay for coverage. (Actually this could be modified once insurance companies are no longer siphoning off money from the system.)
Drug prices regulated or negotiated from a national level.
Again, I’m sure many of you have items to add.
What’s on your list?
Put it in the comments below.
This diary isn’t about arguing the good or bad about any of these specific policies. This is a theoretical discussion on what a Democratic President could do under the auspices of declaring a national emergency for a policy he/she can’t get passed through Congress. Don’t be dense and contrarian. Or as Markos says DBAD.