But didn't exceed authority

My friend and debate partner responded to my post about Obama's power grab. He wrote:

Executive orders do not constitute dictatorship and Obama has in no way exceeded his authority -- if the R's had a case for any of that, they would try to impeach him. [Perhaps these admirable people are saving all that for his second term, as they did unto Bill Clinton.] Executive orders instead administer the Executive Branch, exactly the President's job. They also let the government try out things before they are put into law and regulations. If Congress wants to override an Executive Orders, it is free to legislate on the matters ordered and deal with the President. We have here simply R's complaining about power they do not have and have not earned.

Romney cannot fail to enforce the penalty provisions of the ACA -- the government would be promptly sued and injunctions sought (and won). I also think it unlikely that Romney will be able to repeal it in full.

Finally, I don't think Obama's behavior in using Executive Orders is similar to Bush's and I don't think he has set any new precedents. Its just that conservatives complain about everything. Bush usurped the Constitution via detention and Guantanamo, was fiscally totally irresponsible, etc -- very destructive courses of action.