Nancy Pelosi set the stage for what was to come, for what we should expect from the new Democratic congress when she announced that "Impeachment is off the table" right after being sworn in as speaker of the house. Pelosi made this statement knowing full well that the new position she just assumed was due in large part to the belief by voters that impeachment would begin almost immediately. And it should have.
Henry Reid, who became Senate majority leader, went from his persona as "Givem' Hell Harry", to one of docile acquiescence to the Bush regime. Now, in lockstep with the Bush White House, he and Pelosi have supported many of the demands from Bush. Neither of them seems capable or able to re-establish congress as a recognizable branch of government.
Although bloggers who seem to be more informed and educated than congress, and internet news services have reported continuously on the illegality of Executive Orders that have overrun the law, or on Presidential Directives that give the president dictatorial powers, the Democrats have remained silent. They appear to know nothing. Presidential signing statements which order departments and agencies to not abide by the new law being signed.......just seem to fade into nothing.
The REAL ID act which was attached to another bill under the "and for other purposes" enacting clause, is intended to result in massive civil unrest come May. Even with the threats of retaliation from Homeland Security if states do not comply with this unfunded and unconstitutional mandate, the Democrats just can't seem to bring themselves to repeal this act, much less to debate it. Not one of them seems to be aware that HSD is strictly prohibited in their enacting charter from ever establishing a national ID of any kind, including designating it as a "domestic passport".
What about those retaliatory threats from HSD? Did those just fly under the radar of congress? Since when does a government agency threaten the citizens with retaliation? Did any one bother to ask just what that would consist of? Did anyone inside the golden walls of congress, inside that bastion of political drama stop for one minute and tell Chertof he is out of line? No....they didn't. Again, we were greeted with absolute silence.
Maybe none of this would bother me so much if I wasn't such a CSPAN junkie. Watching the house and senate very nearly every day that they are in session, I am struck by the absolute wasting of time spent on congratulating each other on what a fine and distinguished person the other is. Then there are the declarations of friendship across the isle. Possibly true.....but who cares?
While Iraq falls into a pile of rubble, while our military puts its collective life on the line in this war of greed for oil.....we have house members taking up valuable minutes (that's about all they get, which effectively puts a cap on real debate) trying to have some home state notable's birthday recognized. We have "debates" on whether or not flag burning is a threat to national security. We take votes on whether the Boxer Rebellion was significant. We pass non-binding, nonsensical resolutions against the war. And then, everyone disappears! They are all in committee's somewhere discussing important issues, supposedly. In the end, absolutely nothing about anything is done of any relevance. And when the house or senate doesn't want you to hear their voting, they shut the mike's off and you are treated to classical music.
After six years of destruction under Republican rule our Republic is barely recognizable. The changes we so desperately hoped for with a change in leadership are not going to happen. We are still being assailed by the illogical fallacies promoted by the Bush fascists. Too many of us still believe that giving up our liberty will somehow magically prevent acts of terrorism and even more of us cannot grasp the idea that sending our military to war to fight for freedom (a lie) is negated by our willingness to forfeit freedom at home.
In the end, it may be time for a third political party to form; one not afraid to rock the boat, to shake up the status quo. We need individuals who not only know what the problems are but who are willing to speak about them and fight to repeal these insidious attempts to dismantle our country.
The day of the Republicans is over. Even they know it. At this point in time 21 have resigned from cabinet positions or have resigned or are not seeking re-election in the house or senate. Career politicians jumping ship and running like the rats they are. But we have to ask ourselves if what we are left with after this bailing out by Republicans is any more beneficial to us than if they stayed? Quite frankly, as things stand now, I would say, no.
Marti Oakley
