Ceratotherium posted an interesting take on what he perceives as the negatives of impeaching George Bush. While I can understand his rationale, I cannot support his sentiment. There is no stronger, more important message to be sent by Congress than we will never again suffer through an Imperial Presidency. The cost has been too high, and the price must be paid.
· There is no more important role for Congress than to protect the Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees all Americans from despots and villians, and with it the viability of The Republic. Medicare, Social Security, the Interstates, Student Loans, and whatever else you include; it all means nothing if the USA we all know and learned about in school no longer exists. Whether it takes a week, a month, or a year, unspeakable crimes have been committed and must be answered for.
· It
corrects the horrid precedent set by the Republicans. It says that no matter the politic price, no one is above the law, no one is allowed to shred the Constitution, and no amount of partisan howling will keep the Congress from fulfilling it's duty.
· Impeach Bush, get Cheney. So what? One has nothing to do with the other. It's not about trying to change the person or party in power. It's about holding scoundrels responsible. If putting Ken Lay in jail made Jeff Skelling the CEO of Enron would you object to prosecuting Lay? And don't be shocked to see Cheney sell W down the river for a chance to run in 2008. It's a twisted logic, but Cheney's never disappointed anyone looking for an example of amorality. Besides, if we get them both, Pelosi is the President.
· This is not (supposed to be) about politics. This is not a "gotcha." This is not retribution. This is an attempt to purge the single worst president in the history of the Republic. There have been some more corrupt, some more irresponsible, some just plain unfit for the office. But Bush is the worst of all these character deficiencies, and lots more. He lies, cheats, and steals by, for, and with his friends. He corrupts elections, people, systems, and policies. He will say anything, do anything, pay any price, sacrifice as many lives necessary to get what he wants - as long as it's not his money or his life. He is ruthless, contemptible, craven, and blasphemous (I have serious problems with blasphemy from people purporting to be holier-than-thou).
When the history of our times is written will it speak to how we were able to purge this evil? Or will it ask how we stood by, while the greatest republic to its time was destroyed from within by this anti-christ of democracy? The choice is ours. I know what I choose. No matter how disruptive or inconvenient or expensive it may be. It's an investment I believe has to be made.