Believe it or not, I find this to be an absolutely invaluable question to ask whenever policies regarding executive privilege, or executive power are raised. I'm often amazed by the absolute blind loyalty granted to the Bush Administration by many Republicans (otherwise known as conservatives). Snoop into your bank account records without your knowledge or a warrant? Absolutely. Tap phones without a warrant? Absolutely. Terrorist rendition without habeas corpus? You betcha. After all... I trust President Bush... if he says they're terrorists, then I believe him. I trust he'd never snoop into my records... not that you'd know if he did.
Now to a certain extent I'm exaggerating the views of many... but only to a degree. The question I would ask all those who have no problems with these new executive powers we've granted to President Bush is... would you be comfortable with Hillary having them too? Do you trust her to use those powers, and not abuse them, just as much as President Bush?
Because here is the rub. In this country, we don't grant powers to a person. We grant powers to an office. And when one person vacates that office, those powers are there for the next person to use.
How do you feel about the Patriot Act, and warrant-less wiretapping now? Just remember... you cannot abuse something you do not have.
Disclaimer The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in anyway.