>Obama is laying the groundwork for policy that has huge potential to be abused. I am confused, because if anything you would think he would do the opposite,
Why would I think that? During his campaign in 2008, he switched his stance on the issue and voted for more surveillance - something he had promised to vote against only months prior.
Since his time in office, he has stuck to this reversal.
This is nothing new - he's been doing this for the last 8 years.
Obama just gave a riveting farewell speech about the US commitment to democracy. So it's not surprising that people who bought into his words are feeling burned, despite his actions being totally different for 8 years. Even ignoring the record=setting surveillance, whistle-blower persecution, and covert wars thing, he signed more executive orders than any president in history.
Therefore he's exploited the unilateral powers given to the executive branch more than any other president in history. So even if Trump does even half it won't seem so bad.
The best part is that he's handed plenty of fuel to any Russian who wants to dismiss their own governments abuse of power by pointing to the US. And they do this at every turn. So despite his tough talk on Russia, Obama has done more to make it easier for Putin to do whatever he wants than anyone.
The problem with a 'good' seeming guy going to such extreme lengths of power is that it legitimizes the bad ones who do it. So the problems should not only be analyzed locally but also considering externalities.
This is why ideological consistency is critical. If you're going to be abusive at least be honest about it. Fortunately we won't have this problem with Trump, he can't help it even when he tries.
I don't like Obama's expansion of the surveillance state, but he's at 260 executive orders, compared to 291 for Dubya and 381 for Reagan, and a whooping 3,522 for FDR.
Why would I think that? During his campaign in 2008, he switched his stance on the issue and voted for more surveillance - something he had promised to vote against only months prior.
Since his time in office, he has stuck to this reversal.
This is nothing new - he's been doing this for the last 8 years.