|
to be sent to the states for ratification, a man asked Ben Franklin what type of government they came up with, Franklin's somewhat prophetic reply was, "We have given you a Republic, it is up to you to see if you can keep it".
The men who drafted the Constitution knew full well what it meant when others considered themselves, "above the law", they had just gone through a tenuous revolution to end such injustice. They knew the Constitution was not perfect, but it was the best thing that the world had seen to that time, and it was not written in stone, it was alive to the point it could be changed as times changed. The remarkable talent that met in Philadelphia on that unbearably hot Summer, knew this was an experiment, and it would take vigilance and knowledge to ensure that abuse would not become the legacy of the document just drafted. They had hope that some things in the original would change, slavery, treatment of the poor and powerless, equality for women in government and throughout the land. They knew many changes would take time, and some would be made by letting blood flow in fields. They envisioned abuse, but they hoped it could and would be fought by the people of this nation.
James Madison tried to usurp the Constitution by the the Alien and Sedition Act, a document he helped to write, he tried to override, irony? He failed in his attempt because the nation was new and flush with freedoms never known before in national governments, and a Supreme Court that was just getting it's feet wet i a brave new world. We didn't "luck out", we came out ahead because of people who knew, firsthand, how power can be abused.
Later, Lincoln faced the most serious problem this nation has faced, literally it's dissolution and breakdown as a nation held together under the Constitution. The horrors of the Civil War established this as a nation. The landscape was changing, and the Constitution, as well as the nation, was being threatened, blood became the catalyst to hold this nation together. If Lincoln had lived, much of what we now see as animosity, would likely have been averted. The power one man w/a Derringer altered history, but a Constitutional Government survived, therefore, we would survive, at least for a while.
The power if impeachment and trial are a part of Our Constitution. Impeachment proceedings can move forward on whatever the House deems as "high crimes and misdemeanors", it is wide open and a way we can deal w/corrupt and criminal figures in government. It was put it the Constitution to ensure that no one would be "above the law". But there are also investigative procedures that are inherent to the House and Senate, as well as procedures to keep people out of places where they could do harm. Te process can be a long one, but the D's are working on corrections to what the GOP led congress' of the past have left us with. Affirmations of nominees have been halted, in fact, nominations have ceased, simply because the administration does not want to do battle, (yes, they are cowards as we've all known that). But I digress....
We will survive as a nation, and we will get back on track, but it will take time. No one, regardless of position is above the law; one of the reasons bush is so low in the polls, is because people are sick of him trying to subvert the Constitution. This disgust has crossed partisan lines. Thee are real GOPer's out there that think bush has crossed the line, and that is a source of power we should not overlook. We have weathered things far worse than this crappy administration, and we will root out those that bush has allowed to get into positions of authority, but it will take not just time, but people to come together and neuter this administration. It's power is dwindling now, it will not be long before it is a part of a very bad memory. the question mis, will we learn from this and reign in future abuse?
|
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
