Another Entry for the American Winglish Dictionary: Checks and Balances

The NYT reports today--though not in so many words--that Senate Republicans have decided that the President has the power to do whatever he wants. In particular, if he wants to run a warrantless domestic spying operation, there's no need for an investigation into its legality. Just like there was no need for a 9/11 commission, there's no need for an investigation into the administration's misuse of pre-war intelligence, and there's no need for an investigation into Katrina mismanagement. We can have an investigation into the Dubai ports deal if we want, but King George XLIII hath decreed that the deal will go forward regardless of its outcome.

Which brings us to:

Checks and Balances \ n. \ * The American constitutional principle according to which the power of the president is unchecked. See monarchy.