Grace in Victory Goes Only so Far: Impeachment Should go Back on the Table

by Deb Cupples |   I know: in less than three months, we'll be seeing the back of President George Bush. Tuesday put most Americans in a good (and hopeful) mood, given the historic victory of Barack Obama and the booting out of Congress some previously rock-solid Republican fixtures. 

We've had a night and a full day to celebrate.  Now it's time to get back to work: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi should put impeachment on the table, and the House should schedule a vote.  Next week would be nice.

Impeachment is not about revenge or retaliation.  It's about accountability, deterrence, and the restoration of Americans' faith in our government.

President Bush led Congress (and us taxpayers) into a war that continues to cost American lives and dollars -- based on untrue "information."  President Bush allowed or encouraged underlings to repeatedly violate federal law by engaging in torture and spying on Americans. 

President Bush allowed or encouraged underlings to abuse their law-enforcement authority, turning our Justice Department into a persecutor of President Bush's political enemies.

Making matters worse, President Bush allowed or encouraged underlings to thwart Congress's attempted to fulfill its constitutional duty of executive oversight -- including tactics such as defiance of subpoenas, a move that would land most of us ordinary folks in jail.

Surely, there's a colorable argument that our current President committed at least one high crime or misdemeanor.  No?

After Tuesday's election, it's tempting for congressional Democrats to be gracious in victory and let bygones be bygones. People photograph better that way.

And yes, even if the House were to impeach President Bush, the Senate likely would not convict him. 

Still, impeachment would serve a public purpose, in that it would send at least two messages to one and all:

1) That there are limits to what our politicians can get away with

2) That our Congress will protect us folks from errant politicians.

One crucial thing has been severely lacking in our nation's government since President Bush took the White House eight years ago: accountability. 

In the 2006 election, America's voters removed control of Congress from the hands of Republicans who'd goose-stepped behind President Bush.  Why?  Presumably we voters figured  that Democrats would step up and at least try to stop President Bush (i.e., impeach him). 

Our jaws dropped to our feet early on, when Speaker Pelosi took impeachment off the table.  And many of us taxpayers have been disgusted and outraged ever since. 

Is it any wonder that Congress has recently suffered its lowest approval ratings since polling began? 

If Congress wants to restore our faith, impeachment would be a good start.

    

Comments

[This Eclectic Life]

Kudos! I'll sign a petition!

[btchakir]

With 70 days left to go, is anyone watching Bush?

George W. Bush has done so much to damage this country, it is a relief to have Obama elected.

But 70 days is a long time... and Bush could still make the mess he created worse. What could he do with the military, say, by creating a shakeup with Iran? Or how could he make the financial crisis be worse?

And Cheney... Cheney is still in place and he worries me more than Bush, primarily because we NEVER see what he is doing.

One thing the blogs will do is stay as much on top of Bush as possible.

I hope.

[James Stripes]

As I understand a few reports on the White House, Bush and Cheney are working hard to enact a number of last minute measures through executive fiat. All Presidents do this, but Cheney and Bush were able to undo many of Clinton's. They (or Cheney at least) understand how to assure that Obama cannot undo theirs.

An impeachment proceeding might at least keep them busy enough to forestall the complete wreckage of environmental protections they plan. But, it must be understood that Bush and his VP are the culprits, not only the ceremonial head.

[Deb Cupples (Buck Naked Politics)]

James,

I hadn't thought about the proceedings keeping the Rs busy. Good point.

[pete penguin]

Let's not worry about that crap right now,let's get busy fixing what they broke.Too many people need help and soon.That should be our focus.

[Deb Cupples (Buck Naked Politics)]

Pete,

It's NOT an either-or thing. Impeachment would require some debate and a vote in the House.

In this case, we can have it all.