The group of community leaders that created our constitution foresaw the possibility that the enormous power of the Presidency might fall into the wrong hands. Section 4 of Article II of the Constitution states that “The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”. Impeachment is a necessary part of our democracy to protect Americans and the world from a destructive presidency.
The Bush administration has been implementing what is called the “unitary executive”, which argues that Congress should have little power to affect the Executive branch. The Bush administration has produced hundreds of signing statements purporting that the President can disobey laws enacted by Congress if he feels they conflict with his interpretation of the Constitution. The Bush administration has denied Congress subpoena power over its current and former employees. The Bush administration has refused to hand over documents for congressional inquiries. In short, they have created an executive branch with enormous power that does not have to answer to legislative oversight. Among other powers it has grabbed are warrant less wiretapping, suspension of habeas corpus, use of torture, and extraordinary rendition.
So, given the track record of the Bush/Cheney administration, why have the Democrats taken impeachment off the table?
The Democrats want this power. They figure that the Bush Neocons have made such a mess of things that a Republican candidate does not have a chance. So, if they leave Bush/Cheney in power they will inherit the vast powers of this new “unitary executive”.
It is imperative for all Americans for us to stop this power grab and restore the balance of power in Washington. No party should be allowed to have this overreaching power of the executive.
We must impeach this administration for the good of our constitutional government.
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