Bipartisanship and Principles
While the water of words continues flowing between the riverbanks of partisan politics and leaders keep sending shouts of "bipartisanship" across that river, hoping for more than an echo in response, the most serious changes in our democratic republic since FDR are being ignored. The Bush administration of the last six years has taken policy positions with which some vigorously disagree and others enthusiastically support, but the real threat lies in the structural changes to our democracy: increasing executive power and executive discretionary authority, legalizing torture, removal of habeas corpus as a basic right of the people, and the pending legalization of warrantless wiretapping. These are the issues where we ought to find bipartisan support against the President's positions, yet they are the very issues where bipartisanship appears least likely.
These issues, however, go to the details of the structure of our government, and are not immediately felt like an increase in gas prices is. Most Americans seem not to understand the issues at play: Habeas corpus is not about "giving rights to the terrorists," but rather protects the innocent from being treated as if they were guilty. Today's simple declaration by the President that one is an "unlawful combatant," is not far from tomorrow's declaration that one is an "enemy of the state." Under the theory of the unitary executive, the President may delegate that authority to anyone; your local sheriff could be so empowered.
Far-fetched? There are already several examples of individuals stolen away by the CIA in secret renditions under the authority of the president--people who were innocent of any crime or involvement in terrorism whatsoever. We don't know who is in Gitmo, but some reports say there are children there, and men who were never involved, but were in the wrong place at the wrong time. They have been held five years with no cause, no proof of guilt, and no chance to challenge their detention. Is this what we mean by freedom?
These were precisely the kinds of tyrannies the American Revolutionaries fought against Britain. Our principles of liberty have a long history in philosophical thought, and are the basis for modern western society. They are so basic that one would expect American politicians to articulate these principles and defend them--isn't that what it means to defend the Constitution against all enemies? Bipartisanship may be useful, but no one should compromise with those who want to do away with liberty. Americans love their liberty; now, we need to step up to protect it.