Only Impeachment Can Unify Our Once-Great Nation

[Senator]

It seems recently that the Impeachophobic blather eminating from Pelosi, Reid, and other Dems among the DC/Euphemedia Analstocracy has settled a bit on the empty concepts of "fear of divisiveness" and "need for bipartisanship."

Further, it now looks like this control mantra has "gone operational" with Hillary's recent embrace of Colin Powell (?!?) and Kucinich's comments on Ron Paul. As is typical with DC "conventional wisdom," they've gotten the wrong end of the stick and seem hell bent on bashing themselves (and us all) over the head with it.

The truth is that Only Impeachment Can Unify Our Once-Great Nation

The latest ARG poll has exposed a stunning reality that many of us in the Pro-Impeachment Camp (not the "Anti-War," or "far left" camp) worried would not occur unless and until the DC Dem "leaders" found the political will to live up to their oaths of office. Seems like we underestimated the American People a bit.

A nearly surreal 70 PERCENT of Americans now think the Bushcheney Regime is corrupt -- that they have "abused power." This includes 40% of Republicans and 75% of Independents.

Take it in. 70 Percent.

And that's entirely on their own -- in the face of direct, active suppression by the DC Dem "opposition leaders" to impeachment/objection/accountability. And still, 70% will not be fooled again.

And what of the "other" 30% -- of which so many inside the DC beltway are so concerned about? Certainly that group can't be the most informed among us and many are simply unaware of what they vast majority knows. It's also extremely likely that many among that cohort are simply lying -- that they know full well this regime should be impeached, but they fear the more general repercussions for their own interests.

Do those thing really matter? They do when you consider just who impeachment would be "dividing" with its "divisive, polarizing divisiveness" (whatever those euphemisms actually mean, if anything at all). It seems that the 30% may well shrink a good bit as the impeachment process demonstrates to the uninformed just what the majority already knows. And a good chunk of the "lying cohort" could well "support" impeachment by simply standing silent. By opting not to make matters worse with a ridiculous, futile defense of the indefensible.

Imagine if a political party simply acted on this reality. Simply acknowledged what "everybody knows" and discharged their oath-bound duty to DO SOMETHING about it -- finally recognizing that impeachment is the only Constitutional power left to them, and the only way to discharge our treaty obligations.

Imagine if -- instead of demanding that we bury our heads in the next horserace; that we accept the pretense that all is well enough; that we push our problems and responsibilities from our minds just a little longer -- they just asked us to join them in Redeeming Our National Soul.

Imagine if, as their reason for acting, they described a vision of a New Camelot in American -- one that denounced torture and war crimes, one that promised to restore our nation and people as cooperative, respected players on the world stage. One that recommitted ourselves to the core principles on which we were founded. One not based on paranoia, self-inflicted terror, and cowardice.

Imagine having a reason to be hopeful about the future, instead of just wishful rhetoric.

Might that not unify the nation around something positive, something courageous, even noble?

Does anything else even hold out the prospect such unity?

Can we really live with not even trying?

(A note to the Impeachophobes. The numbers are only growing among us of those refusing to "get over it." No one has "gotten over" the Stolen Elections of 2000 and 2004 and none will be "getting over" the failure to impeach war criminals. This "division" you claim you fear is only getting worse -- much worse.)

Remember, Only Impeachment will do.

It IS our positive agenda.

It is our ONLY moral, patriotic, (and legal, legislative, electoral, diplomatic...) option.

We need to get on with it.

----

[Mme. Defarge]

1. BRAVO!

Well said, mon brave. K&R.

[insanad]

30. Reversing Hell in a Hand basket

I'm only 45 but have lived long enough to see that as we get older we tend to long for the "olden days" when things SEEMED simpler. I hear even older people say, "The world is going to hell in a hand basket". This has been common as long as I can remember. I sometimes find myself longing for the 80's or 90's when it seemed simpler than now. The Reagan era was my experience as a young adult and new mommy. I remember watching the events of the cold war and worrying all the time about a nuclear threat. Even a mere 10 years ago during the Clinton Era I remember worrying that the foolish shenanigans of our powerful leaders would be the undoing of the nation. Now, in comparison the scandals of that era seem like child's play compared to the corruption and evil tactics of the Bush Administration. Perhaps it's like having a really obese friend stand next to you to detract from your own chubbiness.

My mother's generation longed for the 50's and 60's. It SEEMED like an ideal time where women were women, men were men, black was black, white was white, and good and evil always had distinctive music to announce their entrance into a story. We all know what folly those illusions were and the frustration and hypocrisy of the culture of the 50's led to the dissension and revolts of the 60's and 70's.

I grew up in that dissension. I grew up fearing that my brother would be drafted and sent to die in Viet Nam. I feared racial tensions would bring about anarchy. I feared pollution would create such toxic air and rain and soil that we'd all die of cancer and lung infections. I feared that gas shortages would cause riots and violence across the nation.

When Nixon was forced to resign I remember watching my mother weep at the humiliation and shame and uncertainty of our nation and it's leaders. Mistrust of government and big business and authority were the meat of my formative years.

Now, many of those fears are realized in the present administration and like so many other Americans, I feel a constant fear and gnawing anxiety at the circumstances our nation and the world faces.

Reading these articles reminded me that I am a GOOD American. Most of the people on this site are GOOD Americans. We do good things every day. We work, we help our neighbors, we raise our families, we innovate and create and respond to the many things that need our compassion and energy. George Bush and Dick Cheney do not represent America. They do not represent the GOOD that is in the rest of us. They and the companies they are in bed with represent all that is evil and corrupt.

WE THE PEOPLE have expelled corrupt dictators in the past. WE THE PEOPLE have fought against tyranny and oppression and won. WE THE PEOPLE have found good and just leaders and supported them and WE THE PEOPLE can do it again. We are innovators, creators, leaders, inventors, producers, and dreamers. We sent men to the moon, ended wars, created vaccinations for some of the worlds worst diseases, fed nations, and connected all of us here on this site with the internet. WE THE PEOPLE can change the course of this nation and make a difference in the world.

I have no intention of presenting a PollyAnna view that all will be well if we just elect a good leader. In fact, whomever that leader will be will be handed a bag of broken glass and the demands to "Fix" it will nearly paralyze any leader, even a good one. We the people are over 300 million strong. Surely there must be a fair proportion of those people who are willing to rise up, to fight and work and sacrifice and change to make the difference in the world. It won't just be a leader but a nation of leaders.

An apocalyptic view and bitter resentment won't be the glue that will hold us together. I don't doubt for a moment that our world is more corrupt, more toxic, more troubled, more cruel, more in the throes of anarchy than ever before in the history of our modern world. I also don't doubt that one person can influence another person, and another, till a whole community is inspired, and then a city, and a state and a nation.

Today I signed yet another protest against Bush and Cheney. Today I lent my name and reputation to some serious causes. Today I tried to share information and influence with people I love to inspire them to do something too. Today I reduced, reused, recycled. Today I didn't spend money I didn't have or go where I didn't need to go or consume what I didn't need to consume. I'll do it again tomorrow and the next and the next. I alone can't change the world but all of us can.

This petition can be sent to everyone who cares. Give it your best and do something TODAY!!!

http://www.usalone.com/hres333.php
http://www.usalone.com/last25.php?paper=1&...

[intheflow]

33. This reply should be its own post.

Very nicely written. As your contemporary, I was shaped by exactly those same historical events. And I am a member of DU for exactly the reasons you stated: "Most of the people on this site are GOOD Americans. We do good things every day. We work, we help our neighbors, we raise our families, we innovate and create and respond to the many things that need our compassion and energy." Thanks for giving me this to start my day.

Welcome to DU. :hi:

[insanad]

49. Been There Done That...

I've been on DU a while now but am still in the "invisible mode". I did post this a week or so ago and it immediately went into the same hat that the disappearing rabbit goes into. I'm not well enough known to garner attention so I latch on like a barnacle to anyone elses glorious ship. Part of it is the hungry desire to see my words in print, but another part is that I believe my words have some merit and are worth reading. Till the devotees of this site recognize me I guess I'm relegated to being the echo behind someone else, but someday I'll be visible, just not yet. Thanks so much for the encouragement though. I'm like that kid at the Dairy Queen with Downs Syndrome and gets a little pat on the back, so keeps trying even harder, with a big silly grin on my face. Eventually everyone just shuffles around looking for the exit. I will look you up as well.

[Michael101]

38. Yes impeach and only Dennis Kucinich...

is the only candidate who is taking action. He is putting himself on the line speaking out against this corrupt administration.

He gets my vote!

Not just because of impeachment but because he has to be a man on integrity who takes a stand on what he believes in. Other politicians should be taking notes.


Dennis Kucinich 2008!!

[H2O Man]

2. Thank you.

Nominated.

[Richard Steele]

3. K&R

[Kurovski]

4. K&R. (nt)

[Solly Mack]

5. K&R

I won't ever get over it

[pat_k]

46. As long as there are people fighting to enforce our common contract --

-- the U.S. Constitution -- we have not lost.

As long as there are people who refuse to "move on" or "put it behind us," we can't lose.

Whether or not we can make impeachment by the 110th Congress a reality, the fight will continue. Some will lobby the 111th Congress to impeach and declare Bush and Cheney guilty "in absentia." Some will fight to impeach the felonious five (yes, even posthumously) for their treasonous Bush v. Gore edict. Some will fight to impeach ANY official who subscribes to the fascist fantasy of a unitary authoritarian executive.

As long we have faith in our fellow Americans; have faith that "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth" we cannot lose. So what if there are too many fascist minions in the Senate to remove? If that proves to be the case, then we call on our fellow Americans to pass judgment on the corrupt "judges" with their votes.

Refusal to impeach Bush I and Reagan http://www.commondreams.org/cgi-bin/print.cgi?file=/views06/0511-29.htm">put us on the path to our current crisis. We will remain on the path of destruction as long as the nation, through our representatives in Congress, fails to confront the truth and voice objection in MEANINGUL action.

Never Give Up, Never Surrender!
--Commander Taggert, Galaxy Quest

[stevedeshazer]

6. Outstanding post

All your points are true.

Great job.

Let's get on with it.

K & R

[Mme. Defarge]

7. Another kick!

[warren pease]

8. Well put. I just don't understand how anyone can honestly contest this argument. n/t

[Truth2Tell]

9. K & R... If only you were an actual Senator

you'd have my vote for sure. :)

[Senator]

11. Sorry, don't even play one on teevee

Besides, there's something at least slightly corrupt about kicking one's own thread with a lame joke.

==

[KaryninMiami]

34. Ah but you can be "Our Senator" just the same-

especially with brilliant posts like these!

(Hope all is well- isn't it time for a trip down to Florida soon? )

[Lugnut]

10. K&R n/t

[Swamp Rat]

12. IMPEACH NOW!!!

[Diamond Dave]

20. Instead of "the American thing" to do - how about "it's our patriotic duty"?

I have a bumper sticker from years ago - everyone loves it - "IMPEACHMENT IS PATRIOTIC" -

They showed up in a box in Crawford in August 2005.

Heads could possibly spin.

[pat_k]

47. And for the Dems seeking the elusive "positive agenda". . .

Impeachment IS Our Positive Agenda

[cali]

13. By all means, believe what you want to believe

Personally, I don't think any one thing will unify this nation. Our divisions are too great and of too long standing a duration for any simple, clearcut solution.

[pat_k]

50. Impeachment forces our Reps, and our fellow Americans, to. . .

. . .declare themselves. Are you for American principle or Fascist principle? Are you with the torturers or against them?

"Drowning torture" ("waterboarding" to the propagandists) is absolutely and unequivocally forbidden under U.S. Federal Law. It is as clearly forbidden as "The Rack" and "Thumbscrews." Bush and Cheney refuse to acknowledge that subjecting any person to drowning torture is immoral, inhumane, and prohibited in ALL circumstances. They refuse to acknowledge that arbitrarily seizing and indefinitely committing any person to U.S. custody is prohibited in all circumstances.

Our treatment of the people who are in the custody of the state and the processes by which they are committed to state custody are central to our identity and moral authority as a nation. Their refusal to acknowledge these laws is intolerable.

And their "defense" -- the fascist fantasy of a unitary authoritarian executive -- is a violation of the SOLE moral principle on which our nation is founded: the principle that legitimate government power can only be derived from the consent of the governed.

Impeachment is a call for Americans to stand up for this most basic moral principle. It is a call for Americans to stand up for all the inviolate principles we have committed ourselves to in the U.S. Constitution -- our common contract, amended and entrusted to us to protect and perfect.

Impeachment is the only thing that can unify the nation because calls on us to rediscover and rededicate ourselves to the common ground on which we founded the nation. It is the means by which we reclaim our authority to put our will into effect; it is the means by which we take our rightful place as we engage in the messy business of solving our common problems in ways that reflect our common values.

What could be more unifying than reminding each other:

• that the Constitution is a contract among ourselves;
• that we yielded NONE of our collective sovereignty to ANY institution we established;
• that we gave NO party to the contract the right to usurp ("unitary executive") or surrender ("off the table") our collective sovereignty.

The 20-30% who reject our founding principles and happily submit to authoritarian rule may always be with us. The thing is, a 70%/30% split IS unity.

[JuniperLea]

54. Well hello Little Miss Merry Sunshine

I knew I'd find you here... how droll.

[cali]

66. unable to respond to my comment

I see.

[bonito]

14. And theres no excuse not to impeach

It's what everyone knows must happen who has the best interest of this country at heart.

IMPEACH NOW!

[Diamond Dave]

15. Thank you - n/t. Didn't they all swear an oath of some sort? n/t

[mmonk]

16. I know that is true with me.

The divide will be permanent as far as I'm concerned in many many ways if the constitutional crimes aren't addressed. It will never be forgotten or forgiven by me. My new found hatred and distrust will only grow and grow. Only impeachment can save me from permanent division with fellow Americans, political process and parties, etc..

[PufPuf23]

17. I agree - Impeachment is the only answer

That individuals like you can still see the underlying reality is my one last great hope for the country that is my home.

Aside: How many posts does one need to recommend??

[Perry Logan]

18. On the contrary--the impeachbots have thoroughly divided the Democratic Party.

Impeachment would further divide the nation.

[mmonk]

19. Those who do not act drive the get away car.

This nation is divided by those who have abused power and violated the rule of law. To lay it on us who demand the situation be corrected is ridiculous and a lie and a ridiculous projection of misplaced blame.

[Senator]

21. "Further divide the nation" ?? -- Along what continuum?

Law breakers v. law abiders? Constitution defenders v. attackers? War criminals v. human rights enforcers? General welfarists v. political opportunists/careerists?

Please, be specific. I'd really like to know what tangible feared consequence underlies the euphemistic "divisive" mantra.

And what common interest is being advanced by the failure to apply the rule of law in the manner prescribed by the founders?

--

[madokie]

23. you know better

[H2O Man]

28. To the contrary

of those who would "unite" the democrats as lap dogs for Dick Cheney, while he destroys the Constitution.

[Ignis]

39. ImpeachBOTS? Nice smear.

Because those of us who want our elected representatives to actually uphold the Constitution and preserve the rule of law in this nation are obviously too stupid to think for ourselves.

Rather, we're simply reacting in a knee-jerk fashion. Because, you know, we're bombarded every day with pro-impeachment propaganda on the MSM.

:eyes:

[JuniperLea]

55. Seriously! eom

[JuniperLea]

56. Impeachbots???

No, it's people like you who eat their own that are dividing not only the nation, but the Democratic party.

Impeachbots... good god.

[madokie]

22. I'm having a hard time with not trying today so I'm sure tomorrow it will only be more so

win or loose lets get the game started and let the chips fall where they may. I'm convinced in this bitter toward my government mind of mine that the spying started like it did early on in the bush/cheney rule so as to get the info to use for blackmail when this time frame got here. Most if not all our representatives, all 535 of them are being blackmailed, now today and yesterday and the day before. I believe this

[snappyturtle]

24. Impeachment with conviction would be a great start to reclaiming

our country. Not to impeach implies acceptance of all that we have lost.

[mlevans]

25. K & R.

And thank you so much.

[fascisthunter]

26. Absolutely

the Democratic Party as a whole would be taken much more seriously by the media and the people of this country. Those who claim otherwise are phony enablers.

[bdamomma]

27. we will never live this down if we do not consider impeachment

I don't like being called "gutless" especially by people who are not American.

[donkeyotay]

29. Why have the ranks of Independents swollen while the dems play to the middle?

Why is the dem approval rating low while they pursue bipartisanship? Could it be that many of the crossover repo/dems thought the dems would rein in the abuses of the repo party? Could it be that they don't trust a party that seems to care more about their own focus groups and winning than actually doing what is right for the country? Why do people like Huckabee (Good grief, I like Huckabee; I just don't want him to be president.) It's because he comes across as someone who knows himself, not as someone who would say anything to get elected. The dems are acting as the party that would say/do anything to gain power. People have the feeling that they merely want to replace the repos as the corrupt power-brokers and spoils-distributors on the inside. The dems don't look like a party who can make tough choices and take America on a course of righting the wrongs and making us strong again because they want to sweep the entire bush administration with all it's evils and abuses under the rug.

Thanks, Senator. Count me in the 70% of citizens watching in horror as their capitol sinks into the swamp.

[intheflow]

31. Kicking for sound logic.

[lame54]

32. IMPEACHMENT SITES...

www.impeachthem.com
www.impeachbush.org
www.impeachbush.tv
www.impeachpac.org
www.impeachbushcoalition.com
www.impeachbush.meetup.com
www.impeachforpeace.org
www.impeachnow.org
www.impeachbushcheney.net
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Hr8k8WHTzN0

[Baby Snooks]

35. But it's off the table...

And no doubt it will stay off the table. The Empress has spoken. And retained her place next to the Emperor.

[DCKit]

36. The "ARG" poll? How incredibly prescient of them.

Rec'd for your concise, well-written analysis.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

37. Exceptional post!!! Impeachment would serve to foster several American principles.

Members of the government MUST be held accountable when they commit crimes.
By imposing accountability and enforcing the rule of law:

Future members of government will be deterred from abusing power;
The government gains the trust of the American people;
The government has incentive to actually serve the people's interests;
Our country earns credibility in this world;
We set an example by which future generations should operate;
We will be in a better position to actually solve issues important to all people.

Impeachment would ensure the continuation of the Constitution and our legacy as a democratic nation.
Impeachment would encourage future elected officials to take a stand FOR THE PEOPLE, rather than cower in fear of retribution by a "unitary executive".
Impeachment would enforce the notion of equal branches and dismantle a "unitary executive".
Impeachment would demonstrate that people in power ARE NOT ABOVE THE LAW, EVER!

[Krashkopf]

40. Impeachment is THE most important issue facing America

Impeachment is MORE important than ending the "war" in Iraq.

Impeachment is MORE important than Universal Health Care.

Impeachment is MORE important than Immigration reform.

Any dreams that Congress has of enacting a truly Progressive agenda for America are going to have to wait.

The last seven years of presidential abuses of power have so damaged our the Constitutional framework on which America is no longer the free, small "d" democracy that I was born into, and love.

And, a Democrat win in the 2008 Presidential Election in 2008 WILL NOT be enough to restore that delicate balance of power. I will not stand for a President Hillary (or Barack, or John, etc.) who feels that he/she has "Unitary Executive" powers anymore than I have stood for President Bush and his abuses of power.

In the Constitution, the Founding Fathers gave us a tool to use to remove an AMERICAN TYRANT from high office. That tool is IMPEACHMENT, and WE, THE PEOPLE,have a solemn duty use it not only to hold Bush and Cheney accountable for their high crimes misdemeanors against the Constitution, but also, to reestablish the RULE OF LAW, and to remind all future Presidents that they are NOT above the law, or the Constitution, either.

As Naomi Wolf says - "IMPEACH. PROSECUTE. SAVE AMERICA!"

Krash

[pat_k]

41. Impeachophobia has created a national crisis graver than any natural disaster or social ill. . .

Impeachophobia
April 5, 2007
. . .
By refusing to stand up for We the People, the true owners of this nation, Members of Congress have created a national crisis graver than any natural disaster or social ill. It is bigger than any international crisis. By tolerating the intolerable, they are surrendering our capacity to recover from disaster with humanity, solve our common problems in ways that reflect our common values, and serve as a force for good in the world. When the good will of the American people is cut out of the loop, no peoples, not our fellow Americans, not other nations, can look to us for help.

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

[AuntPatsy]

42. Completely and wholeheartedly agree....

:toast:

[Seabiscuit]

43. The rest of the world either fears us, hates and reviles us, laughs at us or pities us.

We have become a grotesue characature on the world stage of the ideals America once stood for. Our standard of living and lifestyle has suffered as well. Culturally, Europe is miles ahead of us.

[Name removed]

44. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[redqueen]

45. Kucinich made a gaffe and has retracted that statement. Do you really think he'd abandon impeachment

in favor of bipartisanship?

Really?

[Senator]

60. No, I don't. And I didn't say he would.

Kucinich's (well-retracted) gaffe is just an indication of how insidious the DC notion of "bipartisanship" really is. That even he can fall victim to it.

It was not my intent to foist (much of) the blame on him personally for our state of affairs and I've consistently supported and applauded his impeachment leadership (albeit with some stated reservations). In fact, I take the same stance toward his candidacy (yes, with contribution) and like many, regret that he is not -- on the less substantive level -- more "marketable."

===

[galileo3000]

48. Respectfully, I disagree

I won't support this and I hope we do not continue down this road. As unpopular as my stance may be, I do not believe it is well thought out. Flame on.

[Senator]

65. No, you gainsay

Respectful disagreement requires more than contradiction.

I'm sorry, is this a five minute or the full half hour?

--

[krj44]

51. well,there are 2 traitors

running the country.imagine a dem president outing a cia agent,why they would have a hissy fucking fit,hang him/her from the godamn yardarms.

[Enrique]

52. I don't get how impeachment would unify the nation

if Bush got impeached, it would be without any republican support.

[Senator]

58. By returning us to a shared notion of truth and morality

Because it's not correct to say that it would be done "without any republican support." Several repubs have already signalled that impeachment is warranted. And it would only require very few of them for it to be accepted by the vast majority as "bipartisan."

On torture, we do in fact already "have the votes."

The problem is a "ruling class" that is in denial -- about the known Constitutional and Geneva violations and about the need for Impeachment itself. The reality is well known and admitted to, but the failure to accept it and act to deal with it is rationalized away, very like an addict in need of an intervention.

---

[Enrique]

61. if it's bipartisan, then I'm for it

but I doubt that it is. Which republicans are in favor of impeachment?

And doesn't your torture article argue against your point that impeachment is necessary? It shows that Congress can make progress on things like torture without impeachment.

[Senator]

63. It wouldn't take much to get there -- but it takes some will to get anywhere

Both Chuch Hagel and Arlen Specter have indicated that impeachment could be warranted. Specter is particularly important as he is the GOP leader on Judiciary and Hagel is one of several "ex-military" among GOP Senators (Warner, McCain, Graham, Collins) who might be described as part of an "Anti-Torture Caucus."

The article does not show that "Congress can make progress." In fact, it shows the opposite as this overwhelmingly supported position was (impeachably) negated via "Bushcheney Rule By Signing Statement." They just exempted themselves from yet another law, by fiat.

It is this example that makes it clearest that under this regime Congress is literally impotent to do anything but impeach.

If the DC Dems could "find the strength/wisdom" to force such an up or down vote on torture and war crimes, GOP Senators would be hard-pressed to reverse themselves -- under the gaze of the world, their families, and for history -- to defend this war criminal regime.

Frankly, I don't think it would even get to impeachment. There would be staggered resignations, with caretaker President Danforth (or Warner) providing a calming force the beltway (not the nation) would need.

As it is now, failure to even object/impeach -- which provides approval and exoneration -- is the worst of all possible outcomes.

---

[cali]

67. Putting any faith in Arlen Specter

is the epitome of charlie brown believing lucy will let him finally kick the football. it's utterly misplaced. he sells out each and every time. Graham, McCain, Collins, Warner? Hard not to laugh. You should know better than that. Hagel is the only repuke who might vote to convict, but even that's dicey.

I don't think the repukes would be hard pressed to defend bushco at all. They've been doing it for years, and they'd continue along the same lines if an impeachment case came to the Senate. There's far more evidence for that than for your scenario.

I support impeachment, but you're dreaming about the outcome.

[Senator]

68. I call for no act of faith

But by all means, believe what you want to believe.

---

[pat_k]

64. The false god of "bipartisanship" must be brought down. . .

. . .if we are to have any hope of getting back on the path to a "more perfect union."

I don't mean to single you out, but your statement "If it's bipartisan, then I'm for it" is itself an echo of the widespread, but wrong-headed assumptions that partisanship = bad and bipartisan = good. If the notions were simply wrong-headed, perhaps they could be allowed to go by unchallenged, but they aren't just wrong-headed. They are incredibly destructive.

Their aversion to anything they fear would "look" partisan, and the propaganda that Americans want the Dems to appease fascists with "bipartisan" agreements, has kept the Democratic leadership from fighting for the things they claim to care about. And now it is keeping them from impeaching Bush and Cheney, which is the ONLY rational response to our current crisis and the ONE thing that would unify the nation.

Sure, as a general proposition, Americans want the ideal of a Congress in which reasonable people on "both sides" work together to find reasonable solutions. But on Nov. 7th, 2006 the voice of the people declared that the most essential ingredient of that ideal -- reasonable people on "both sides" -- doesn't exist in Bush World.

When voters overwhelmingly rejected Bush, Cheney, his administration, and his rubber stamp Congress as intolerably incompetent/corrupt/extreme they were not calling for "bipartisanship" with Bush at the helm.

Their message was loud and clear: "We want out of Bush-World!"

The simple truth is that ONLY impeachment can give Americans what they want. Even on the Hill, the pretense that there is some other way "out" has fallen in the face of reality.

It's tragic. Not only are they surrendering our nation to fascists and betraying their oath, they are doing themselves serious political damage by doing everything in their power to suppress the outrage that swept them into power. Instead of inspiring hope and action by leading us in the fight to remove Bush and Cheney they are sowing hopelessness and apathy by saying "stop bothering us about impeachment; we can't win; we are powerless; you are powerless."

And they are following this destructive course in the name of their false god of "bipartisanship."

We elect them to put our will into law. We elect them to keep watch on the officials responsible for executing and applying the law. We elect them to defend the integrity of our government by impeaching and removing "bad apples."

We didn't elect them to seek "bipartisanship" with those who would thwart our will. We didn't elect them to refrain from impeaching/accusing corrupt government officials in the name of "bipartisanship."

Pretending it's "business as usual" by passing new laws to be ignored and violated is not "making progress." It does nothing but support the destructive cycle of denial that is leading us deeper into the depths of fascism.

[puebloknot]

53. K&R You and John Lennon: "Imagine all the people...."

"Can we live with not even trying?"

Can we *live* (quite literally) if we don't try and succeed?

Our current soft fascism could turn deadly very quickly. We already have tasers being used against us, and Blackwater is making inroads on the home front.

Impeachment is the only way we can bring these thugs to heel. But some days I think about Solzhenitsyn's "Cancer Ward," and the discussions among the patients about this or that miracle cure, which never came. We, the 70%, should be able to effect a cure for the nation's ills, but we're stuck in a "ward" where nobody is listening to us. But if we can get one strong voice outside the ward to speak up for us, we the 70% will follow, and the kind of vision you speak of *can* come true.

Impeachment *is* our magic pill.

[Flabbergasted]

57. It's not about dividing the citizens it's about dividing congress that could care less what

the citizens want. The Blue dogs will not go along with impeachment. Pelosi doesn't have the leadership capacity to unite an impeachment front. She's weak and fearful of Bush co, and the media.

Impeachment would require a tough nosed liberal uniter similar to Delay to get this going. Pelosi is more of an appeaser not a fighter.

Steny Hoyer seems to be running the show. She is actually operating at her capacity as speaker.

[David Diderot]

59. VOTE THIRD PARTY

if the House does not impeach Bush and Cheney.  It is a matter
of integrity for the American people.

[pat_k]

62. Primary challengers. DC Dems don't see third party candidates as a threat. . .

. . .and for the most part, they are right not too.

But primary challengers are another matter entirely. With the most active Dems voting in primaries -- the Dems who are disgusted with the the Democratic cowardice that has gotten us into the mess, a viable primary challenger would scare the dickens out of them.

If they won't impeach to save the nation, perhaps they will to save their political skins.

And there is still time to get on primary ballots in many states.