The commentary at the link probably makes it look simpler than it really is. Few of the "executive orders" can be revoked just with a "stroke of the pen" since massive federal agencies (stocked with loyal Bush political appointees?) must be herded into line to effectively counter many of them.

It's encouraging that the intent to reverse some of them is up front; but the actual changes may take much longer than is good for us. Since many (all?) of the "final hour" orders are for the benefit of special interests, it may be assumed that those benefiting from them will act quickly to take advantage of the Bush versions, and then there will be "fiscal corrections" and "buyoffs" to reverse "projects" that may be set in motion before the orders can be revoked.

The Bush effort to "entrench" policies in the last few days of his administration is no different than what most, if not all, presidents have done. The difference is that nearly all of the Bush "last gasps" implement political payoffs to the anti-environment interests who've supported him. While his administration was in full swing, most such "payoffs" were done under the table and behind the scenes, apparently directed by Cheney^* (the invisible man).

^* A Federal District Court order that Cheney's "official papers" must not be destroyed was answered by the White House with a "legal opinion" that Dick Cheney is "not a member of the Administration" so the "public documents" law doesn't apply. Another court test needed - after the papers are shredded?

Bush was not particularly successful with "stacking" the Supreme Court, but the new administration has little chance of swinging the balance. The only justices likely to retire during the next couple of administrations are the more liberal ones, so the only likely new appointments to be made can only, at best, maintain the present balance.

Federal Courts have, however, been largely "stuffed" with Bush appointees, and decisions by the "new Federal Courts" (below District Court level) have been about twice as likely to favor "big busines/corporate interests" over citizen interests as they had been prior to this administration. This will be very difficult to reverse in any short term.

The Patriot Act, and all of the invasive and immoral (IMO) activities that it "approved" was, unfortunately, implemented (after the fact) in Acts of Congress, so a new president can't change much of it without support and action from Congress. Courts have begun to question some of what's been done, since even a lackey judge has to pay some tribute to the law; but abolishing the "secret court," (at least the one we know about) and countering the fear-mongering that has crippled our social order will not come overnight.

Congress had already enacted a law requiring the Administration to forward to Congress, unredacted, any scientific or technical report on research sponsered with Federal funds; but Bush produced a "legal opinion" that the "White House" was exempt from the law. A counter-opinion would force a court test to determine which is correct. Trials take a long time.

And then there's the economy ... . Nowhere else in the world do CEOs of corporations make more than 20 to 35 times the "average employee income" in their company. In the US, the average is slightly more than 200 times "average employee" level. (And their tax rates are effectively lower than what's paid by the clerks in the office.) Even if the "rules" could be changed fairly quickly, how long would it take the IRS, FTC, SEC, and an alphabet soup of other government agencies to understand the changes so they could be put into use?

John