>>The problem with this entire Rick Perry indictment is that people are mistaking political tactics with criminal prosecution.
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>>For instance....if someone can keep a straight face and say that Rick Perry deserves felony charges for abuse of power, then I can make a compelling case for Harry Reid doing life in prison for abusing his position as Senate Majority Leader. And Eric Holder for a lifetime x 10 sentence for obstruction of justice.
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>>And for that matter, President Obama said during the govt shutdown that he would veto ALL bills put in front of him that did not fund health care the way he wanted it. If the Perry indictment stands, how is Obama's stance any less an instance of abuse of power???
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>>Final point - the fact that Perry's veto was not overridden by the Texas State Senate should tell you something about the fact that a strong majority did not believe Perry's actions were abusive.
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>Would you call "using your veto right" abuse of power ?

As a general statement, no - so long as checks and balances exist (and so long as those individuals are not afraid to exercise them faithfully)

I will give you an example, though it's the reverse, but still the same principle. Barack Obama has taken several executive orders that were clearly in violation of the U.S. Constitution. A number of them have been slapped down either by circuit court justices, federal judges, and even the Supreme Court. The most recent is his immigration executive order which has done so badly in court that he himself is perhaps realizing he went too far. That is the best part of our political system - checks and balances - when people are not afraid to use them.