John Edwards vs. The Constitution

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm6zze1pWyM]

There are many priorities to consider as we change the occupant of the White House. After experiencing the consequences of a president who was unprepared for the job in 2001, we don’t need a president who’s experience is limited to a single Senate term which was primarily used to run for the nomination. After a president who got us involved in the Iraq war and pushed through the Patriot Act we don’t need a president who was a big backer of both, regardless of his apologies. After a president who tried to ignore the Constitution and grab more power for the Executive Branch we don’t need a president who promises to do more of the same. With all the charges of “Bush-lite” which have floated around the past few years, the most Bush-like candidate of all is John Edwards.

Edwards has mentioned his idea denying health care to Congress if they do not pass his health care proposal in the past, but fortunately he is finally receiving criticism for this unconstitutional idea after the airing of this threat in the above ad. Besides violating Constitutional provisions regarding compensation for members of Congress, this is a disturbing violation of the concept of an independent legislature. A president already has tremendous advantages in pushing their agenda but ultimately decisions on legislation are in the hands of the Congress. A  president should not be able to place such pressure on members of Congress to infuence their votes. Is the next step to deny members of Congress their paychecks, or perhaps their liberty, if they refuse to go along with the dictates of the president?

The principle that legislation is determined by the Legislative Branch applies regardless of our opinion on the particular president in office or the programs supported. Part of living in a democracy is living under the fact that members of Congress, and not the President, determine what new programs are enacted.

Achieving health care reform is important, but preserving the Constitution is even more important, especially after all the damage it suffered under George Bush.