Impeachment may seem to be a limited issue with which to launch a congressional campaign, but it is symbolic of so many of the things that are wrong with the Democrats’ performance in Congress. We know that a majority of Americans -- some polls say as high as 70% -- want to end the War on Iraq. Americans are also concerned about the economy, job loss, the mortgage crisis, healthcare, the environment, our treatment of veterans, election reform, civil liberties, and the list goes on and on. While the electorate has made it amply clear that they want action, members of the majority party in the House of Representatives continue to dance to the tune of one of the least popular lame duck Presidents in history.
Democrats say they want to end the war, yet cave in each time the Republican administration and their Congressional colleagues raise objections. Democrats say they want to protect people who are losing their jobs or homes, yet the best they could do was sign on to an ill-conceived tax stimulus package that probably won’t even keep up with inflation. Democrats say that they are concerned about Americans who can’t afford decent healthcare, the environment, taking care of our veterans, and of course protecting our civil liberties, but Republican don’t see it quite the same way, so the Democrats fold their tent and retreat. With the arrogance, petulance, and chutzpa of a schoolyard bully, George Bush makes it clear that it’s his way or no way. The Democrats in Congress cower and do it his way.
A few in Congress are standing up for what they believe, or what the American people want. When those courageous people do stand up, all that is heard is the deafening silence from their colleagues. Every possible action or issue that Americans care about, from impeachment to ending the war, has been taken off the table.
One wonders, especially after the midterm elections of 2006, why the Democratic Caucus is so weak and inept. Is it that the members’ main concern is to protect their jobs? Considering that we have a very unpopular lame duck President, it is startling that they have been unable to make substantive policy changes. It seems that a new dynamic has been established by this President and his Republican minority henchmen: majority rule is no longer the way we do business. Legislation can only succeed with a veto proof vote in the House and a super majority of 60 Senators.
So, with all that to chew on, you might ask why focus on impeachment? After all, impeachment won’t end the war, revive our economy, solve the home loan crisis, create jobs, or provide affordable healthcare. That is true. But, impeachment is a touchstone the sums up all the problems we currently have with our government. If Congress is unable to hold the President accountable for all the misdeeds he so willingly acknowledges, how can we expect them to act on any of these other pressing issues?
As a teacher who has supervised children in a school yard, I know how one out-of-control bully can create havoc with the play of the other children. There are times when the only effective way to restore order is to remove the bully from the playground. We may have just a few months to go before the end of the term, but the damage George Bush has done is great, and he will continue on the same path until the end of his term. Impeachment is not the only action that is needed to respond to the concerns of the American people, but it is an action that would set us on a better course.
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1 comment:
You are right on this, Ms. Nordstrom. Although I think that impeachment may actually go a long way toward ending the incredibly expensive and illegal occupation of Iraq, because it would make clear to the American people and the world's people that we know we f****d up big time, and are willing to change it.
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