We must re-establish checks and balances

Editor:
Just one of the items of genius that was delineated in the development of our Constitution was the idea of checks and balances to guarantee stability of our government and deter the abuse of power. It was a three-legged-stool upon which they rested the entire nation.
Like any such stool, so long as each leg was equal and they were apart, the stool would be stable and the nation could sit there indefinitely with stability. Unfortunately, since the first of the year (Jan. 20, to be specific) we’ve witnessed those legs being shifted in position and equality with the result that the sitter is losing that stability. In fact, we see two of the legs merging into one (executive and legislative), and a two- legged stool cannot stand.
In response, and our only response as the citizens of this nation, I contend our legislature must be rebuilt. That is why our all-wise Founders insisted that our representatives not be part of the governing elite, but of the communities they represent and subject to review every two years.
I offer just a few examples of where our checks and balances have been ignored:
Nowhere in the Constitution does it give the government the power to fire private company employees. But how many bank and automotive executives have been forced out by the administration?
Nowhere in the Constitution does it give the government the power to own private companies. So how did the government end up
owning 70 percent of General Motors Corp.?
Nowhere in the Constitution does it give the government the power to set salaries in the private sector.
Nowhere in the Constitution does it give the executive branch the power to appoint czars to make rules governing private industry and bypassing the legislative branch.
Nowhere in the Constitution does it give the executive branch the power to set aside binding contracts.
And where does the legislative branch get the audacity to ignore majority community input regarding such issues as energy and health?
I think there can be no question that our checks and balances have failed and we need to come together as concerned
citizens to put the legislative train back on track.
Ed Mishou
Brownsville
Via the Internet