Sunday, June 24, 2007

Impeach Bush?

The Boston Globe
Ideas section today has an in-depth article examining the arguments for
and against impeaching Bush and Cheney. I provide a link to the entire
article in the title to this post, and recommend you read it.
Basically, though the two sides of the argument (from a Blue State
point of view, I guess), are:

Pro Impeachment:
1. The main arguments in favor of impeachment are focusing on the damage this administration has done to the Constitution. The idea is that impeaching the President and VP would make it less likely that future administrations would play so fast and loose. The main items here:

a) Conducting electronic surveillance on citizens without proper judicial oversight;

b) Lying to Congress and withholding information from Congressional requests;

c) Presidential signing statements infringing on the constitutional balance of power.

2. This administration has failed to uphold international and domestic law:

a) Dropping the ball on Katrina;

b) Condoning torture and extraordinary rendition;

c) Cluster bombs in Iraq are beyond the pale of civilized nations;

d) Threatening Iran.

Against Impeachemnt:
This is mainly a political strategists' argument, but seems to be widely espoused.

1. The idea is that by leaving Bush and Cheney in office, one of the most
unpopular administrations in history continues to demoralize and
alienate the Republican Party. If a move were on to impeach the two, it
is feared they would become political martyrs and it would energize the
Republican Party.

2. It would take up so much political energy and capital that nothing else could be accomplished.

I have to say, the political strategy has a certain logic. But I am not
sure we are doing the world or the future any favor. I think we owe it
to both to impeach Bush and Cheney.

but that's just me.

2 comments:

Marie S. Newman said...

It's not just you, Betsy. Bush and Cheney should be impeached, but the Democrats cannot summon the political will to start the process. It may ultimately be a smart move on their part, because they probably don't have the votes. And Bush in the White House is a huge albatross around the neck of the Republican Party, which is a good thing going into the next election. I try to take a long view of the Bush Presidency, knowing that he will eventually be ranked with James Buchanan and Warren G. Harding as one of the worst Presidents ever.

Anonymous said...

Want to help change Congress's mind? Have you heard about H Res 333? I urge you and your readers to take a few minutes to look at:

http://www.usalone.com/cgi-bin/transparency.cgi?paper=1&qnum=pet45

It's a list of the 25 most recent comments made by real Americans participating in an online poll/letter-writing campaign concerning the impeachment charges recently filed against Vice President Cheney, which are now being evaluated by the House Judiciary Committee. Comments can be sent to elected representatives and local newspapers at your option. The participation page is at:

http://www.usalone.com/cheney_impeachment.php

Since this campaign began, several members of Congress have signed on as co-sponsors, in part due to hearing from their constituents. Has yours? Make your voice heard, and let others know!