From a pragmatic viewpoint, impeachment might make little sense. Even if impeached, it is unlikely that Bush would be removed from office, and there is much not time left on his term. However, every time the Bush administration ignores the rule of law, it is harder to keep from thinking that the founding fathers would see impeachment as the only response to a rogue President who violates the principles they stood for and upon which this nation was founded. It is difficult to imagine a reason for providing Congress the power to impeach if it does not apply to George Bush.
Josh Marshal is the latest liberal blogger to move from pragmatism towards principle on the issue writing, “in recent days, for the first time I think, I’ve seen new facts that make me wonder whether the calculus has changed. Or to put it another way, to question whether my position is still justifiable in the face of what’s happening in front of our eyes.”
Though other events in recent months and years have had graver consequences in themselves, I’m not sure I’ve seen a more open, casual or brazen display of the attitude that the body of rules which our whole system is built on just don’t apply to this White House.
Without going into all the specifics, I think we are now moving into a situation where the White House, on various fronts, is openly ignoring the constitution, acting as though not just the law but the constitution itself, which is the fundamental law from which all the statutes gain their force and legitimacy, doesn’t apply to them.
If that is allowed to continue, the defiance will congeal into precedent. And the whole structure of our system of government will be permanently changed.
Whether because of prudence and pragmatism or mere intellectual inertia, I still have the same opinion on the big question: impeachment. But I think we’re moving on to dangerous ground right now, more so than some of us realize. And I’m less sure now under these circumstances that operating by rules of ‘normal politics’ is justifiable or acquits us of our duty to our country.
Impeachment is not about hatred of George Bush as Republicans would claim. It is about who we are as a nation, and about defending the system of democracy established by the founding fathers. Gerald Ford did the nation a great injustice when he spared Richard Nixon from prosecution for his crimes. Seeing Richard Nixon ignore the principles of democracy made the actions of the Bush administration more likely, which sets a dangerous precedent for future tyrants. If we care about our democratic form of government there is no longer any excuse for Congress to ignore its Constitutional obligations to hold George Bush and his administration accountable for their disregard for democracy and the rule of law, as well as the damage they have done to this nation.
Wow, just happen to find this web site. I think all of your hate towards Bush is kind of funny.I believe history will be very kind to Bush, after all the Arabs have not been able to attack our home land. I think you and your supports might start to be fitted for your new head gear. USA rules.
Our home land was already attacked due to Bush ignoring the warnings about al Qaeda passed down from the Clinton administration, and due to ignoring the intelligence warning of the attack.
If you are unaware of Bush’s mistakes which allowed the 9/11 attack to occur, you are probably unaware of the intelligence reports which show that al Qaeda is now stronger due to Bush’s inept actions.
Bush’s failure as commander in chief, as well as his mishandling of forign policy after the attack, by itself is reason to consider impeachment.
Don’t count on history being very kind to Bush considering how long it will take to correct all the harm he has done. He will be remembered as not only the worst president, but as the most unpopular considering both how low he has been in the polls and how long he has remained there.