And then, of course, there are the millions of us who recognize that our democracy is under threat, and who would be willing to contribute in amounts large and small, just as happened in the campaign of 2004.
A Defined Result
For such a set of proceedings to have the necessary impact, there must be a clear result-- and, moreover, a result of a specific sort. Out of these hearings there must issue what can credibly be called the judgment of the American people.
To achieve this, it will not suffice to rely on the usual opinion polls. "The American people" may number some 300 million, but --as few people pay close attention to public affairs-- we cannot rely on all those people to have an informed opinion. And in addition, we need not rely on the judgment of millions to yield us a credible result.
Rather, a representative sampling of American citizens can be impaneled to stand in for the citizenry as a whole. A kind of jury.
This sampling would be representative of the spectrum of political opinion, of social class, of educational levels, of race and religion, etc. They would be paid to perform this historically vital jury duty. Unlike the citizenry generally, who would probably be exposed only to bits of news, and possibly samplings of the hearings, this representative jury would follow the entire proceedings. And then at the end, the crucial question, or set of questions, would be submitted to the jury for their vote.
**Is there a pattern of lawless behavior in this administration?
**How serious is this administration's misconduct in comparison with misconduct seen in previous presidencies in American history?
**Should this administration, and all those who have abetted and protected it, be held in disgrace?
**Should the president and/or the vice president be impeached?
If a representative group of Americans, after hearing the strongest possible arguments on questions like this, comes back with a clear majority declaring in the affirmative, and if all this is rendered prominently visible by good media coverage, the pressure for the Congress to act will become irresistable.
It remains for the American people to demonstrate to Congress that defending our system of government --as each member of Congress pledges to do upon taking the solemn oath of office-- is good politics, as well as a patriotic duty.
And all this should be moved forward with all deliberate haste, in time to become part of the 2006 election. For there is now no more important business before our nation. We are fighting for the soul of our country.
Andrew Bard Schmookler's website www.nonesoblind.org is devoted to understanding the roots of America's present moral crisis and the means by which the urgent challenge of this dangerous moment can be met. Dr. Schmookler is also the author of such books as The Parable of the Tribes: The Problem of Power in Social Evolution (SUNY Press) and Debating the Good Society: A Quest to Bridge America's Moral Divide (M.I.T. Press). He also conducts regular talk-radio conversations in both red and blue states.
The answer to all of the highlighted questions posed are most definitely a big YES...but who would run any impeachment hearings in this Administration. Naturally the Repugs would not turn on their own in such an open fashion.
It will come down to some brave individuals willing and able to charge this Administration and their leader with criminal charges, this would be far more effective than impeachmnet and imprisonment a greater disgrace for an outcome.
by
Tom B. (0 articles, 1 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 14 comments)
on Monday, May 15, 2006 at 8:34:34 PM
I often get very frustrated when I read about all the laws that the President has broken.
I also get angry that theres nobody out there who has a handle on the REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS...I read that the country was founded on a REPUBLIC not a democracy..then I read that the Federal Reserve, the Council on Foreign Relations and the Capitalists along with the Neo-Cons have doubled our trouble.
Should we follow the CONSTITUTION and REMOVE ALL IN POWER AND START ALL OVER????????
When we vote It seems that its wasted on a DIEBOLD machine and that he who counts the votes rules.
by
anthny (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 39 comments)
on Monday, May 15, 2006 at 10:18:14 PM
2 comments
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