I’ve written before about the absurdity of the US electoral system that leaves more than two months between the election of the President and them actually taking office, and this is an example of it

Disgraced media tycoon Conrad Black is seeking clemency from outgoing US President George W. Bush.

Black, 64, is serving a six-and-a-half-year jail term for fraud and obstruction of justice in Coleman, Florida, and has asked the President to free him as one of his last acts before he leaves office in January…

President Bush has the power to grant pardons to criminals under the US Constitution and has already been inundated with 2,000 requests. He is also able to shorten sentences. (The Telegraph)

How bloody stupid is an political system that elects a new President but then leaves executive power with the previous incumbent for several months, allowing them to continue to pass legislation and edicts such as releasing criminals from jail?!

The democratic mandate of George W Bush ended the moment Barack Obama achieved the necessary number of electoral college votes. So why does he continue to wield the power of the ‘leader of the free world’?