Go Ahead And Impeach Them

[babylonsister]

http://www.openleft.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=6D975435B85AEF34D18AE7D853F635BD?diaryId=292

Go Ahead And Impeach Them
by: Mike Lux
Fri Jul 20, 2007 at 10:36:26 AM EDT

Cross-posted at Huffington Post

As much as I oppose Bush, I have long argued strongly against pushing for the impeachment of Bush and/or Cheney. I argued that we would not be able to win an impeachment vote in the Senate, that the public wouldn't be with us, that it would look like we are overreaching. Having been in the middle of the fight to defend Clinton from impeachment, and having seen how the country turned against the Republicans in Congress in spite of their disgust with Clinton's personal behavior, I thought it would be a huge mistake.

All of those arguments are still compelling, but as of this morning, I'm going over to the other side. With the announcement yesterday that the Justice Department will never be allowed to pursue contempt charges filed by Congress, the Bush administration has made it 100% clear, once and for all, that they consider themselves utterly and totally above the law. Democrats in Congress have to take a stand, and have to push back. They have to make it clear to the country that the President and Vice-President are not free to do whatever they want, whenever they want.

I wouldn't stop at impeachment either. Congress has an "inherent contempt" power, allowing them to hold their own trials and jail those found in defiance. It hasn't been used since 1934, but it's time to roll that power out of mothballs, Democrats, if you fear going the impeachment route because of the reasons I mentioned above, then that idea is worth trying.

Or, refuse to appropriate money in the budget for White House staff salaries. If they are not upholding the Constitution, taxpayers shouldn't have to pay them.

I've reached my limit. This country was founded on the doctrine of separation of powers, and Bush and Cheney are violating the Constitution. It's time to raise the stakes and assert some authority.

Check out this video. OpenLeft.com worked with James Adomian, a great Bush impersonator, to do a video capturing his attitude about any attempts to limit his power. When we put it up on our site last Monday, we did it to be funny. But looking at it today, it feels all too serious.

Democrats, stand up and fight.

video referenced:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x39946

[SoFlaJet]

1. I'm right with Lux on this

I was a guy who did NOT want impeachment but this administration has total disregard for the rule of law and I too have had enough of their crap.

[ClassWarrior]

2. The drips are getting louder.

This is the summer of IMPEACHMENT. Visualize it...

NGU.

[liberal N proud]

3. You would think the republican party would want these criminals impeached

All they are doing is destroying the GOP's hopes for any power in the future. And the republicans in Congress are going to be sucked into that void as well.

[babylonsister]

4. I know; it also makes me wonder why they don't care what's happening?

It's their country, too; can't they see the damage being done?

[KoKo]

5. They are bought and paid for idealogues...sold their solds long ago when Gingrich

brought them in and Tom Delay groomed them. There's not even a handful yet amongst them who will do the right thing. I think it's up to four who will vote with Dems ...:-(

[zonmoy]

6. I think they don't want impeachment because they want

all the power bush has taken for themselves after they either cancel or rig the next election cycle in their favor.

[snappyturtle]

7. kick n/t

[pat_k]

8. More people are overcoming their impeachophobia every day.

As more people "out here" recover, our chances of of successfully "intervening" and waking up the impeachophobes on the Hill grows.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/pat_k/23">Impeachophobia

[Bake]

9. I'm getting there myself.

This is the straw that broke the camel's back.

Bake