DougR: "The Executive Branch cannot appropriate money. Who has been in control of the congress since 2006? The Democrats."

Ah, but Doug, mon frère, the President does have veto power - and W has used it a lot. He's also gone way beyond what any previous Chief Exec. has done in issuing "signing statements" (basically saying, "I got yer new law right HERE!!").

As you well know, it takes 60 votes in the Senate to stop a filibuster, and the Repubs in this latest Congressional session have filibustered no less than 95 times -- even when bills have passed with bipartisan support. Then, if those 60+ votes have been found and the bill has been passed, when the President vetoes, it takes 67 votes to overturn it.   (That's how the recent GI Bill did eventually become law, by the way.)