"We must recognize this period as the dangerous precedent it is and collectively -- through the legislative branch, judiciary branch and the public -- work to return the executive branch to the limited role the framers intended."

I completely agree with this article.

It seems a little unfair to focus on President Obama since this trend has been going for a long time, but he sort-of asked for it by promising to bring change and transparency to gov't.

There only a line or two about presumption of secrecy,

"Every new power seized by government is an individual freedom lost. As such, this pattern of executive abuse and overreach cannot continue."

This is so true, but I don't see it stopping. The executive branch has taken over the power to declare war, and the legislative branch is mostly okay with that b/c it lets them dodge blame for military actions that turn out unpopular.

I agree it's a good summation and equally shocked it was posted on CNN. This year will not go by fast enough.