I write as a deeply concerned citizen who is increasingly frustrated by what appears to be a sustained abdication of constitutional responsibility by both Congress and the Supreme Court in favor of an ever-expanding executive branch.

The Constitution was designed around a careful balance of powers. Congress was vested with the authority to legislate, appropriate funds and conduct oversight. The Judiciary was entrusted with interpreting the law and serving as a check on unconstitutional action. Yet in practice, both branches seem increasingly willing to defer to executive authority rather than exercise the powers explicitly granted to them.

Congress has too often ceded to legislative responsibilities through vague statutes, emergency authorizations and reluctance to assert its oversight role. The result is policy making by executive order rather than through transparent, deliberative legislation. This not only weakens democratic accountability,

but also distances citizens from the process by which laws are made. The concentration of power in the executive branch is not merely a theoretical concern. It affects real lives, real liberties and the long-term health of our constitutional system.

No matter who occupies the presidency, unchecked executive power poses a danger to a republic founded on separation of powers. I strongly urge all citizens to contact their legislators and share these concerns.

Michael J. Stubler

Altoona