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March 3, 2008 at 10:41:05
How Republicans Created Executive Branch Hegemony by Paul Craig Roberts Page 1 of 1 page(s) |
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Having made the mistake of confirming Michael Mukasey as US Attorney General, the Democrats again find their efforts to hold Republican government officials accountable for illegal and unethical behavior stonewalled by the Department of Justice (sic) and blocked by the brownshirt tactics for which the Bush Regime is now infamous. White House chief of staff Josh Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers were found in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas and refusing to cooperate with congressional committee investigations of the Bush Regime’s political firings of eight Republican US Attorneys. The eight fired US Attorneys declined to politicize their offices by investigating only Democratic officials and ruining their election chances with leaks from “investigations” designed to smear their reputations. Mukasey gave House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the majority Democrats in Congress the finger and refused to refer the House of Representatives charges against the two Bush Regime operatives to a federal grand jury for investigation. Following the now established practice by the Bush Regime, Mukasey told the Speaker of the House that members of the executive branch are above the law and are not accountable to the US Congress, formerly a co-equal branch of government under the US Constitution in the days now past when the executive branch felt obliged to abide by the Constitution. Mukasey boldly asserted in his letter to Congress that Miers and Bolton are immune from congressional subpoenas and, thereby, their “noncompliance did not constitute a crime.” According to Mukasey, “The contempt of Congress statute was not intended to apply and could not constitutionally be applied to an executive branch official who asserts the president’s claim of executive privilege.” 
The way matters stand in America today, the executive branch can falsely prosecute, frameup, and imprison members of Congress and governors of states at will, but itself cannot be held accountable to law.
Pelosi herself was instrumental in making the executive branch unaccountable to Congress or to law when she declared impeachment of Bush to be “off the table.” This declaration by the Speaker of the House has effectively released the Bush Regime from any accountability, just as the Enabling Act released Hitler from any accountability to the Reichstag, the German constitution, or statutory law.
Moreover, the case for impeaching Bush and Cheney--indeed the entire administration--is by far the most powerful and necessary case for impeachment that has ever existed. By declaring Bush unimpeachable, Pelosi is giving away Congress’ only remaining power to prevent tyrannical rule by the executive branch. If Bush is above impeachment, every future president will be as well.
The Democrats naively believe that just one more year and the Bush Regime horror will be gone. But that is not the case. No matter who is the next president, the Bush Regime has established that the executive branch is no longer a co-equal branch of government. It is the primary branch, armed with unaccountability and the discretion to consult with other branches of government if it so wishes. The US Congress cannot give up the powers it has given up during the Bush years and ever expect to get them back.
The US Congress cannot conspire in Bush’s destruction of US civil liberty and expect a future restoration of civil liberty.
Republican federal judges who have aided and abetted the rise of an executive branch dictatorship cannot expect the judiciary to continue as a check on the unconstitutional and illegal behavior of the executive branch.
The Bush Regime, with the complicity of Congress and the judiciary, has destroyed the American constitutional system. For the brownshirt Republicans only THE AGENDA is important. Law, Constitution, separation of powers, truth, decency, honor--all of these things and any others in the way of THE AGENDA are dispensable.
While neoconservatives used 9/11 to pursue American and Israeli hegemony, Republicans used 9/11 to pursue executive branch hegemony. Whether or not Republicans can hold on to the executive branch through election theft or declaration of national emergency, the power that they have accumulated in the executive branch will remain. In the November 2006 congressional elections, voters gave Democrats control of Congress in order to rein in the Republican administration, but by then Congress had been reduced to an impotent branch of government and has proven to be incapable of reining in even an unpopular president with a 19% approval rating.
If a Regime that has come to be despised and deplored by a majority of Americans and the world can ride roughshod over law and the Constitution, constitutional government obviously has no future in America.
Pelosi says the House of Representatives is going to file a civil suit against the Bush administration for refusing to help it enforce its subpoenas. Who does Pelosi think is going to prosecute the suit, the politicized Republican US Attorneys? The Republican federal judges who have helped to create the unaccountable executive?
The White House branded Pelosi’s request for a federal grand jury to enforce the House subpeonas “truly contemptible.” Pelosi’s House Republican colleagues dismissed her request as “a partisan political stunt.” White House spokesman Tony Fratto played the fear card and denounced Pelosi for trying to investigate loyal Americans instead of passing legislation that makes Americans safe by allowing the executive branch to spy without warrants. House GOP leader John Boehner’s spokesperson accused Pelosi of making Americans unsafe by “pandering to the left-wing fever swamps of loony liberal activists.”
The only power the House has left is impeachment, and Pelosi is too frightened to use it. Why is the Speaker of the House afraid to use the power the Constitution gives her to remove from office a president who deceived Congress and the American people, who violated US and international law, and who is a clear and present danger to American liberty, to the US Constitution, and to peace and stability in the world?
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Cutting off the Snakes head....
while required will not kill the corruption that has flowed through the veins of our nation. Every artery, every vein, every capillary of our society flows with lies, deception and the inability to not think of themselves as Gods. The people who were elected to uphold the law and therefore the will and morality of the people, are now the largest criminals to ever permeate the face of the earth. They hold the law as only something that everyone but they have to obey. They look down upon the American people as if our names rhymed with Kunta Kinta and we should plow their fields and tend their horses genuflecting "Master" as we pass by. It is time for the courage and strength that our founding fathers had to sacrifice all they had to gain freedom from oppression, lies, and slavery from those who do not even look at us as human. by Michael Morris (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 16 diaries, 316 comments [4 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 12:28:19 PM  (0+)
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Who Still Thinks They're Leaving Office?
Why have Ms. Pelosi and other congressional misrepresentatives (as well as our justice department) blatantly violated the law, cackled at the joke of their oaths of office, signed legislation in direct conflict with constitutionally protected rights, built detention centers around the country, and tucked martial law under Bush's direct control? It's called Peak Oil leading to Peak Famine in combination with complete financial collapse, with another fake terror attack thrown in for the still unconvinced. I will never forget that we LET them do it. To paraphrase Gandhi, Empire can have my dead body, but never my consent. by Susan Guest (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 91 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 1:11:02 PM (0+)
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Thank you - Now what?
"The Speaker of the House has effectively released the Bush Regime from any accountability, just as the Enabling Act released Hitler from any accountability to the Reichstag, the German constitution, or statutory law". So the US Empire has become very similar to Nazi Germany. We completely disregard the rule of law within our society and the international community. We do as we please. Congress is a corporate rubber stamp and has given up virtually all of its power. They act in lock step and fail to operate in the best interests of the people. The article is clear and concise, but most people carry on their day to day activities as if nothing extraordinary were happening, nothing out of the normal course of activities. So, now what? Congress won't impeach. Is there any hope of truly creating a free and democratic society that serves the people instead of usurping them? How can out of control mad men serving their own hidden agenda's be stopped? by August Adams (11 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 585 comments [12 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 1:12:02 PM (0+)
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Our Constitutionless America
by Munich (1 articles, 86 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 1125 comments [86 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 1:48:50 PM (0+)
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Reply: constitution
How have we as a people elevated Presidential directives over the body of the constitution? If Nancy was a man,we would expect her to grow some ,suck it up and issue inherent contempt charges and then go send the sergeant of arms to drag Mier's and Bolton's ass in PDQ. None of the pleasantries of a civil suit,time's past for that. Myself ,I feel America died when we allowed lobbyists to spend an average of $3 million a year on congressmen and women making $150,000.+ a year. No corrupting influence possible with that now is there? by tjb (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 255 comments [9 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 2:23:45 PM (0+)
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December 12, 2000
No, America died on December 12, 2000, when the Supreme Court installed Bush as dictator. by Susan Guest (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 91 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 3:00:35 PM (0+)
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question for the legal eagles out there
I believe that citizens have a moral, if not legal, responsibility to report crimes of which they are aware. So what would happen if a couple hundred thousand people began reporting crimes to their local US Marshall's Office, US Attorney's Office, or local police for that matter. "Hey, I'm aware of the commission of a crime. And I even know who did it!" The list is long, so choose the crime you want to report. by Angelo (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 209 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 4:42:35 PM (0+)
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Reply: This might be a great idea....
overload their system with the only thing they understand...paperwork... Maybe if enough trees are killed doing this...we might get someones attention..... by Michael Morris (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 16 diaries, 316 comments [4 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 5:11:24 PM (0+)
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Re: "December 12, 2000"
by Munich (1 articles, 86 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 1125 comments [86 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 4:46:16 PM (0+)
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How Republicans Created Executive Branch Hegemony
Keep in mind that the illegal spying began prior to 9/11, and as it was done without the legally required warrants, it was done for blackmail purposes. by paul roberts (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 60 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 4:52:10 PM (0+)
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Long ago, in this very country
the argument for impeachment would have been a foregone conclusion...the level of unlawlessness would never have risen to this level, before some thing would have been done. I weep in frustration.... by Susan Nelsen (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 287 comments) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 5:07:43 PM (0+)
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Re Precedent. Would Republicans take impeachment off table?
I wonder if taking impeachment off the table might be a peculiarly Democratic party thing, and that if Republicans find themselves in a situation where they are being opposed by a President using 'unitary executive powers' whether they might be more willing to use impeachment. I am not American, but it sometimes seems that Republicans are more willing to play political hardball. Perhaps 'Executive Branch Hegemony' would only be permitted by Democrats when there is a Republican President and not vice versa. Any thoughts? by Brett Paatsch (0 articles, 3 quicklinks, 23 diaries, 1308 comments) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 5:23:06 PM (0+)
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Reply: It's an interesting take
For sure, parties differ in their willingness to align their actions with party needs, versus constituents needs and principled defenses of the constitution. But I think the executive branch is on a racheting mechanism now. It is stronger than the effect of party. It may be turned the other way from time to time, sure, but the torque is all applied in one direction now: Monstrous strengthening of the Executive. The president of the US can no longer be impeached; and all his actions can now be kept away from knowledge of Congress via National Security Ongoing Operations; and Supreme Court is no longer the final interpreter of law. Sure, a democratic president can still be impeached, but it will not diminish the power of the executive office. I'm thinking this is why Pelosi and Reid are afraid to use impeachment: The fear of direct and immediate retaliation in kind, onto the next Democratic president if any more get that far ever again. by Geoffrey of Bordentown (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 12 comments) on Tuesday, Mar 4, 2008 at 5:06:55 PM (0+)
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Bush's PNAC Presidency
I've long believed that the bloodthirsty, power-hungry puppets we know as "Bush and Cheney" were brought to power for one reason, and one reason only: to implement PNAC (which is really nothing more than a somewhat deceptively repackaged version of "A Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm"; repackaged in an attempt to appeal to some traditional U.S. imperialists. And it's clear from reading the public PNAC documents that the PNAC agenda of U.S. militarism, aggression and conquest (obviously for the sake of Likud Israel) cannot ultimately be carried out from any kind of political platform even remotely resembling a "Constitutional republic". Thus what PNAC boils down to is a manifesto for the overthrow of the U.S. government. The neocons, Bush and Cheney, and their Mossad operatives obviously pulled off 911 to get the ball rolling, and now we're on our way to hell. What I don't understand is why so few people seem to be able to see this? by Harold Smith (0 articles, 3 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 556 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 5:40:35 PM (0+)
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Don't Blame It All On Republicans.
by PeterJ (16 articles, 3 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 236 comments [53 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 6:02:07 PM (0+)
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The Mukasey Conspiracy
Considering that the warrantless spying began prior to 9/11, it is not far-fetched to conclude that its real purpose is to collect information with which to blackmail Democrats. We know that most politicians have their foibles, and blackmail could explain the curious impotence of a party that controls both Houses of Congress and has a large number of issues on which to bring charges. The wars and the police state measures are products of the neoconservative agenda, which is hegemony for the US and Israel, and the Federalist Society agenda. The Federalist Society is a group of Republican lawyers who are committed to putting more power in the hands of the executive. This society, from which Republicans draw their judicial and Justice Department nominees and their congressional judiciary committee staffs, was formed due to Republican frustration with Democratic congresses blocking the agendas of Republican presidents. The society dates from the days when the Republicans were believed to have a "lock on the presidency" and the Democrats had a lock on Congress. To overcome their frustration, Republicans, such as Terry Eastland, wrote books, such as "Energy in the Executive: The Case for a Strong Presidency." A strong presidency became the goal, and with so much of the federal judiciary now comprised of Federalist Society members or former members and the DOJ in the Society's hands as well along with the Republican staffs of the judiciary committees of Congress, we now have in place all the foundations for a police state. It is, in a way, a case of generals fighting the last war and bringing us a police state. For the neoconservatives, nothing is important but The Agenda. It trumps all the values and civil liberties that the English people achieved through centuries of struggle. A few really despicable neocons and some short-sighted Republican lawyers have wiped out a thousand years of human achievement. Paul Craig Roberts by paul roberts (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 60 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 6:51:22 PM (0+)
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Reply: I can't discount anything
After what I've seen the ruthless Bush regime do to this country and the world during the past seven years, I honestly can't discount anything. And I lived through Watergate as a college student. I'm truly shocked and appalled because I never thought a U.S. president would outdo Nixon. But Bush has and his neocons have...blatantly so.
by Nancy Davies (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 7:52:55 PM (0+)
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Reply: I agree about the spying and blackmail.
Since the PNAC agenda, if followed through, will obviously bring devastating consequences, I don't think the conspirators could afford to rely on fear of and fealty to AIPAC alone, to keep any potential troublemakers at bay. Given Bush's horrific crimes and low approval rating, who knows...somebody might decide to be a "hero"; thus our prudent conspirators would need to have something more. And what other conceivable purpose would there be for the illegal spying? I don't know how much they're depending on blackmail, but I think it's a factor. by Harold Smith (0 articles, 3 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 556 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 8:35:45 PM (0+)
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Executive Branch Hegemony
Paul Craig Roberts' article hits the nail on the head and expresses the fear that I have been harboring since the Dems gained the majority and Pelosi took "impeachment off the table".I get the sense that the American public is being fed a load of crap by both parties, and that there is some sinister backroom dealings going on which will completely destroy what is left of our Constitution. Roberts is correct: any new President is not going to willingly give up the power that Bush has usurped. The precedent has been set to legitimize just about anything a President wants to do. Cheney has been working since the days of Nixon to create a presidency which can ignore the Congress and it appears that he has succeeded. Pelosi and the Dems who have aided and abetted the Bush crimes should themselves be impeached. It sickens me. And it stuns me that our elected representatives don't care about our Constitution. Our democratic republic as set up by the Founding Geniuses is the best political system ever created, and our Congress wants to give it away. Damn Pelosi to hell. The entire Congress would not make a pimple on Jefferson's ass. by Robert Sullivan (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 6:59:38 PM (0+)
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It's The Clintons Stupid
Consider the ruthless ambition of the Clintons who I strongly suspect did everything in their power to neuter Reid (easily enough) and bring Pelosi in line so as to allow for all of those monstrous powers of tyranny to be intact once Billary swept back into the White House. I say that the Clintons and Democrats bear more than their share of the blame for this due to their fecklessness, their corruption and their weasel like ability to ensure that no leader would emerge during the desecration of our Constitution and the illegal wars that resulted who would dare to intrude on the limelight of the Queen in waiting. It is grossly unfair to blame the PNAC fascists for this alone, they had accomplices in their criminality and if one day we ever manage to return the rule of law to this sick, sad post 9/11 lemming colony may the trials be bipartisan. Just go do some research on the Clintons and Bushes, they are thick as thieves and their arcs intersected in Mena along with Iran Contra Ollie North and his cocaine/gunrunning. This thing is a bottomless snakepit. Kudos to Paul Craig Roberts for being a truly patriotic American in his ongoing attempt to shine a light into the cockroach nest. He is a national hero and I have been following him for years, ever since he realized what Nazis that the Republican party had become after they turned on him. Just my two cents EE by Ed Encho (12 articles, 20 quicklinks, 65 diaries, 439 comments [15 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 7:03:06 PM (0+)
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Reply: "bottomless snakepit"
Indeed...When the contrived "event" comes in the next 8 months and Directive 51 kicks in, the snakes will be coming outta the pit to finish off the Constitution and the USA. 'Murrika Uber Alles! by Papawhale (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 69 comments [19 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Mar 4, 2008 at 2:05:08 PM (0+)
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Mukasey Conspiracy
Ed Encho doesn't have it right. I turned on the Republicans (not on Reagan, who was a conservative Democrat) when I left the Reagan administration during Reagan's first term. According to Business Week's editor, I was the magazine's most effective critic of the Bush I administration. I have been a critic of the Bush II administration ever since it was apparent that the wicked fools were going to attack Iraq and had no respect for International law or US law. I am an early skeptic of their absurd explanation of 9/11. Reagan enjoyed his visits with Tip O'Neil. He couldn't stand Bob Dole. Paul Craig Roberts by paul roberts (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 60 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 10:27:25 PM (0+)
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Pelosi
Reid has the excuse that Lieberman is a neo-con. Pelosi is working for Rockefeller, who now owns the country. If anybody thinks these traitors will give up power to the majority, that person needs to be drug tested. by GitarChris (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 142 comments) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 10:58:15 PM (0+)
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Mukasey Conspiracy
People like Armand Duncan are the reason we are losing our country. by paul roberts (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 60 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Mar 3, 2008 at 11:27:17 PM (0+)
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Reply: I Disagree About Armand Duncan
It's not because of people like Armand Duncan that we are losing our country. It is because people far smarter than he can't put the pieces of the puzzle together that you describe. Operation Mockingbird has been a smashing success -- in the eyes of the CIA anyway. William Colby onced bragged that everybody who is anybody in the media are CIA assets. That was in the '70's. Does anyone think that situation has changed? The reason the American people can't put the puzzle together is because they're missing half the pieces and don't have the picture of what the puzzle really looks like. They have a vague image of what they're told it is supposed to look like, so most people just believe in the illusion of reality rather than reality itself. In that illusion America is a far more just, righteous, patriotic and tolerant place than it really is. When confronted with contradictions in the Warren Commission report by a reporter, former CIA director Allen Dulles replied that Americans don't read. That's part of the problem. The other part is that a majority of Americans rely on mainstream media outlets and talk radio for their news and commentary. And we all know (those of us at OpEdNews anyway) by now that journalism is by-and-large a bullshit profession (with a few notable exceptions). Most of the real news is filtered through editors who won't print anything too destabilizing to the regime. That's why to this day the mainstream media have not told the American public the truth about the JFK assassination and countless other scandals and conspiracies. And that public ignorance really ties the hands of the Nancy Pelosi's of this country. And it is a contributing factor in the Democratic acquiescence to creeping tyranny. It's not the dullards like Armand Duncan who acount for anything in the slow loss of our democracy. It is the much smarter 98% --most of whom rely on mainstream media for their news -- who are being deceived on a daily basis into believing in a pseudo-reality. Operation Mockingbird was (and still is) perhaps the most effective psy-op ever conducted against the American people. Without a free and independent press, democracy can only wither on the vine. And it has, and is. by Sam Adams (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 90 comments) on Tuesday, Mar 4, 2008 at 9:25:37 PM (0+)
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The American Myth
I am of the mindset that most people would not want to live a lie, willingly. With the steadily growing interest in geneaology and a search for roots - substance and foundation, people seem more and more to be seeking meaningful truths. A somewhat smaller number of the population would be uneasy in knowing, or suspecting in the back of their minds, that the premise under which they have lived was tarnished by unpleasant events and truths, but would, nonetheless, be willing to let dead dogs lie. And an even smaller percentage of the whole would have no desire to uncover anything that might put at risk a well honed facade that's survived and done well for decades. I speak of the power of the American myth. I find that as I get older, more seasoned in confronting my place in the whole, and as an American, I have become much less comfortable. We Americans were taught in school of the horrible atrocities of the Nazis and the Japanese. Implying by ommission, of course, that we Americans were above that sort of thing. We were superior and the truly civilized society. Enter the Executive branch propoganda machine to manufacture consent based on a carefully crafted, well coordinated and oft repeated series of lies. I am insulted... duped, actually betrayed as an American and as a human inhabitant of planet Earth in good standing about the conspiracy of lies that got us where we are. The secrecy of my government conducting our business behind closed doors. Concocting - manipulating - managing the bewildered herd in pursuit of dark, hidden agendas. The small group of very powerful men that made the decisions about the so called war on terror counted on several key realities... proven time and time again to be effective. Fear - whether it's the spread of communism or weapons of mass destruction - and vengence, carefully disguised as justice. Whether it's the alleged sabatoge of the USS Maine in a Cuban port or the attack on a US warship in the Tonkin Bay - wrap it up in a patriotic hodge-podge with self-righteous fervor for the American cause and low and behold, you've got yourself a war. The American flag waving and the national Anthem in the background make it a slam dunk. Within conversations about the disaster that is the US attack on Iraq and occupation, I am regularly stunned by my fellow Americans that all but yawn at the prospect that between 7000,000 and one million Iraqi civilians have died since the invasion. As the theme to the Twilight Zone plays repeatedly in the background of my head, I keep hoping that I'll wake up from this nightmare and realize just how absurd it was. I love my country but I profoundly fear my government. And if you don't, you're just not paying attention. by Michael McCoy (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments) on Tuesday, Mar 4, 2008 at 1:08:05 AM (0+)
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It is good to hear
from a bona fide conservative like the former Under Secretary in the Reagan administration. I have long held that the animosity towards conservatives at liberal web sites is off the mark and this article substantiates that opinion. I would wonder if Mr. Roberts might share what circumstances led to his conversion ? by ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2377 comments) on Tuesday, Mar 4, 2008 at 7:54:31 AM (0+)
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So What Now?
I find myself in total agreement with Paul Roberts about the seriousness of all the Bush administration has done and with its future implications. Laws and rules mean little when they can be undone with a stroke of the pen called an "Executive Order" that reverses or eliminates them, and other laws are just ignored. However, people who should know better don't seem to be listening. Congress is fine with just letting Bush and Cheney live out their last year in office. The country apparently doesn't need more disruption I am told. Representatives in Congress don't see any deeper problems if they simply keep things from getting worse. Educated people don't see the underlying seriousness of any of this and equate it to "soft fascism", easily reversed with new laws and directives. Some feel they do not have the ability to fight even with the support of their entire membership. There remains a lack of sufficient organized opposition to these abuses that sends a clear signal that those responsible "must be held accountable". I am of the view that until there is marching in the street demanding action, no one feels empowered to do anything. No one feels empowered to stand up and be counted. We are merely "extremists" over reacting to some "bad leadership". by Peter Wedlund (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 211 comments [7 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Mar 4, 2008 at 8:27:56 AM (0+)
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Mukasey Conspiracy
There is nothing conservative about neoconservatives. Like the Jacobins of the French Revolution, or Nazis of the Third Reich, or Stalinists, they believe that the ends--US and Israeli hegemony--justify the means--torture, indefinite detainment, illegal wars of aggression, endless lies, police state measures. Reagan was plagued by neoconservatives, but they did not control his administration. When they went too far, he fired them. Some were prosecuted. One of the convicted is now on Bush's National Security Staff in charge of Middle East policy. Reagan had two goals. One was to end, not win, the cold war, which he achieved. The other was to stop stagflation, which he also achieved. Reagan was disliked by the leftwing because he emphasized Americans' good qualities instead of publicly repenting of America's sins. He pulled the country together in order to overcome the two serious challenges that the country faced. Reagan was never the candidate of the Republican establishment. They considered him an outsider and resented his popularity because they thought it threatened the establishment's control over the Republican party. by paul roberts (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 60 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Mar 4, 2008 at 9:33:35 AM (0+)
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Reply: Thanks for the response
Reagan had two goals. One was to end, not win, the cold war, which he achieved. The other was to stop stagflation, which he also achieved. Reagan was disliked by the leftwing because he emphasized Americans' good qualities instead of publicly repenting of America's sins. He pulled the country together in order to overcome the two serious challenges that the country faced. If I may; Reagan "won" the cold war by almost bankrupting the nation, and succeeding in bankrupting the USSR. I have heard it said that he really had little to do with that as it was already in its death throes, but whatever. The second part of your response there makes me wonder about your supposed anathema to neoconservatism. Reagan was disliked by the left wing for many reasons but his lack of apologies was certainly not among them. This, in my opinion, displays a typical superiority of attitude and paucity of fact rather common among the neoconservative branch of the right. Sorry you felt the need for such as that. Ronnie was the first President to borrow over one trillion dollars. Ronnie committed such grave harm to the State of California that it is still struggling to recover. Reagan was a Boraxo salesman who thought that movie plots were actual historical fact. Reagan, as president of the SAG turned in numerous names to the HUAC, many of them unjustly accused. The myth of Reagan may live on in the ranks of the right wing but the rest of us see things a bit less partisan. by ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2377 comments) on Thursday, Mar 6, 2008 at 6:56:22 AM (0+)
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The answer is an all-new Coalition Reform Third Party
There IS something we can do about this: Form and vote for an all-new coalition third party, one with only one platform plank: We must make the nation safe to argue in before continuing the argument!" This will attract all the discontented: Indi's, Libertarians, honest Conservatives, Greens, and Progressives. We need ALL the reform candidates to come together on this; it is the ONLY way any third party has any sort of chance. If we concentrate the extreme disfavor that so many of us have with both of the parties, we can WIN, THIS YEAR. It could happen. Spread the word, write the reform candidates (Nader, Kucinich, Paul, McKinney, Gravel, others); and urge them to work together for this purpose! by Steve Windisch (jibbguy) (17 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 361 comments [56 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Mar 4, 2008 at 12:12:52 PM (0+)
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Congress no longer has the power of war
Look, the executive branch upon its will alone, unsanctioned by Congress, has sent artillery against Somalian targets, just yesterday. There is no Congressional Authorization to Use Military Force in Somalia. And nobody cares. Obama and Clinton both bragged that they would bring military force against terrorists in foreign countries too. Executives will always perceive dangers to the People before legislatures do, and that they must be allowed to act first and get forgiveness later. Believe me, every president with a will to power will act fast before anyone but him sees dangers. Democratic presidents are already showing signs of greedily assuming the excessive, illegal power of their predecessor. The people are getting what they deserve and even request I guess: An executive branch which is superior to constitutions and other branches of government. The commoners assume they will all share in the president's glory and strength. They are all for a strong hairy-chested executive, not a weak cooperator who is limited to congress for warfare. They are all for an all-knowing executive, to listen to all political communications between rival party members "for their safety." There will soon be really just one political party who controls elections if the Executive is free to spy without restraint comprehensively. Other parties will be allowed to continue to exist for the facade effect. Perhaps this is why all members of Congress move to support the President without regard for their own party or branch, already. Better to align yourself with power, while you still can. Just like in Russia. by Geoffrey of Bordentown (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 12 comments) on Tuesday, Mar 4, 2008 at 4:53:47 PM (0+)
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