Is ISIL authorization a pathway to tyranny?

To the Editor:

Despite saying he has sufficient power, President Obama requests additional power to fight ISIL. Obama asks to “attack associated forces without geographical limitations” and for “enduring offensive ground operations.” This wording is vague.

Granting additional power amid the current climate at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue could be a mistake.

First, if Obama has all the power he already needs why grant more? If he doesn’t then his statement seems like just another in a long line of gross misrepresentations that spans six years.  These include: "I won’t force people to buy healthcare, the Benghazi massacre was due to an anti Muslim video in the U.S., and the Bush Administration started Fast and Furious."

Recently, after saying he didn’t have the authority, Mr. Obama ignored Congress and announced executive orders on immigration. 

Secondly, giving additional power to someone who assaulted Americans’ First and Second Amendment freedoms may prove unwise. 

Consider Obama’s assault on conservative political groups, evangelical Christians, and Catholics’ First Amendment rights through the IRS and Obamacare. Furthermore, the press verified military training materials at Fort Hood and in Pennsylvania identified mainstream religious groups and those inspired by the Founding Fathers as "extremists." Gun owners realize Obama eroded the Second Amendment freedom of self defense by banning guns and ammunition and with a restrictive administration of commerce.

Any ISIL authorization should be carefully worded.  James Madison wrote; “if Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.”

Philip W. Chapman

Highland