Obama overreaches authority: #tellusatoday

Letter to the editor:

Kudos to USA TODAY for your well-researched exposé of the true extent of President Obama's use of executive actions ("Obama issues 'executive orders by another name'").

Without your reporting, Obama and his administration might well have gotten away with their oft-repeated, misleading statement that he has shown more executive restraint than his predecessors when, in fact, precisely the opposite is true. His attempt to conceal such actions using "presidential memorandums" should concern every American, regardless of political bent, because executive overreach is a constant threat under such a scenario.

Thank you for your even-handed, detailed article.

Steven Go; Overland Park, Kan.

Comments from Twitter and Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

Let's all look at the particular memorandums and find out what needed to be fixed and whether it was appropriate action. Jumping on President Obama for everything he does is not smart. Health care was a mess. The banking system is a mess. Republicans who blindly oppose the president are this nation's worst enemy.

— Walter Lampton

Obama's executive actions will be codified because the GOP only offers lip service regarding overturning them.

— @tahDeetz

The lasting effect of Obama's use of executive action will be lower wages and fewer jobs for those who can least afford it, and higher health care costs.

— @NJNuke

At least Obama is doing something in the interest of the country. I'll take effort over complacency.

— Jason Chumley

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