Members of Congress do not always get it right. But our system of government mandates that when corrections need to be made, they will be up to voters at the ballot box or, occasionally, the courts.

President Barack Obama has no patience with checks and balances and separation of powers. When he wants something done, whether it involves environmental laws, health care or dealing with national security, he simply issues an executive order. The Constitution and the will of the people as expressed through their elected members of Congress simply are not considerations for this president.

Now Obama plans to order basic changes in firearms regulations, adding more gun transactions to the already long list covered by federal limits. His proposal includes some provisions already debated and rejected by lawmakers.

Clearly, this White House has engaged in multiple abuses of power. But most presidents test the limits of what they can do. Most of the time, Congress reins them in.

What is different in Obama’s case is that his fellow Democrats on Capitol Hill have just enough power to keep a bill from landing on his desk with a veto-proof majority. Time after time, often ignoring what is good for their constituents, most – though not all – Senate Democrats back their president.

So yes, Obama is abusing presidential power. He will continue to do so. Gun control may be just the beginning. But don’t place all the blame on him. Remember, Congress could prevent at least some of the abuses – if it would.