President Bush and Vice President Cheney espouse the theory of the unitary executive. That means the President’s orders can’t be reviewed, questioned, or altered by the other two branches of government. He alone can say what the law means, or whether or not it will be enforced or ignored. In effect, George W. Bush says his powers must be unilateral and unchecked.

Critics claim the President has used the war on terror to put himself above the law and that he has created a secret presidency of classified decisions and orders, that approve extraordinary renditions, torture, illegal detentions, and wiretapping without warrants with the collaboration of big telecom companies. This boundless secrecy and surveillance evokes images counter to American values.

In October 2007, Jim Hightower wrote, Is a Presidential Coup Under Way? Perhaps it is. Might we consider, when Richard M. Nixon was in office Dick Cheney was a fledging. Cheney learned from the master and embraced his lessons.

One of the people who argued most vociferously that a president could exceed the laws was a former White House Chief of Staff who had been elected to Congress. His name. Dick Cheney.

Today, with the power of the Vice Presidency in hand, Cheney reiterates as he executes his convictions.

Once more we discover, the Central Intelligence Agency [CIA], National Security Agency [NSA], Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI] and other Federal Agencies were and are involved in numerous illegal affairs.

In the mid 1970s, plots to assassinate foreign leaders were real and realized. Detention, confinement, or kidnapping of those the Administration thought to be a threat were condoned. Warrantless entry into offices and homes was sanctioned by the White House. Federal Intelligence Officers searched for files against their “enemies” and claimed it was their right to do so.

Chemicals intended for biological warfare were illicitly warehoused. Mail, to and from Americas was opened. Wiretapping was common. Intelligence was gathered without legal authority. A minimum of nine thousand, nine hundred [9,900-plus] files were amassed. Any American involved in the antiwar movement was likely under surveillance. Internal Revenue files were reviewed without cause. The Executive Branch of the American government trusted no one.

Does all this sound familiar?

Dear reader, I invite you to view the program, read the full transcript, or comment. The parallels may pull you in; they may turn your stomach. I think you may find the Power and the Presidency very interesting.