King Barack's Noblesse Oblige

He's writing cheques--personal cheques--and sending them off to select Americans desperate enough to ask him for cash:

WASHINGTON -- Got problems? Tell Barack Obama. He can help. He might even give you money.

On more than one occasion, the president has cut personal checks to struggling Americans who've written to the White House, according to an excerpt from a new book by Washington Post reporter Eli Saslow about the ten letters the president reads every day.

"It's not something I should advertise, but it has happened," the president told Saslow.

How many times has President Obama intervened on someone's behalf, and with what kind of problems does he help? Mortgage payments? Medical bills? And when he wants to help someone out with a personal check, how does it work? Does he send a check signed "Barack Obama" directly to the individual in need, or does he send the money to a bank or company on the person's behalf? Do people even know when Obama has helped them out, or does the help arrive anonymously through a lawyer?

The White House declined to answer any questions about the practice...

Clearly, the Obama-lovin' HuffPo, from whence this story springs, thinks this practice puts the object of its adoration in a good light. I'm pretty sure, though, that, Constitutionally-speaking, sending Americans money upon request does not fall within the chief executive's job description.