An article from Charlie Reese got me thinking. He basically says President Bush should pay more attention to the US economic situation than the WAT.
Though I heartily agree that the US and the world is in really bad shape economically, I’m not so sure that it’s the President’s responsibility to fix economic problems of the world, or even the US. The President is the Commander in Chief. So it makes sense that he should lead in the WAT. But, he’s not the Chief Financial Officer of the US. He’s not mandated by the Constitution to guide the economy of the US. If anything, it’s more Congress’ responsibility to deal with the economy.
Section 8
Clause 1:
“The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;”
Clause 3:
“To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;”
I believe the President and Congress should be less involved in the economy and let the market run itself. The US Government is already doing far beyond what is allowed by the Constitution.