(cross-published in tomorrows UCONN Daily Campus)
The conservative Republican Bush Administration holds power for two more years, barring resignation or impeachment. How much more damage can Bush & Cheney do in the next two years? That depends on what happens in the November 7th midterm elections. The whole House of Representatives and one third of the Senate are up for grabs. If the Republicans maintain majority control of both Houses, the next two years will be dangerous indeed. If Democrats work hard, get out the vote and retake the Legislative branch, Bush and Cheney can be contained for the remainder of their term. Their numerous scandals will investigated. A big Democratic win in November means accountability, oversight, and checks and balances will spare America from the wrath of Bush's conservative policies, and you know he's saving his most dangerous and radical policies for the last two years.
In American politics winner takes all. If your party wins simple majorities in the House or Senate, your party owns those institutions. Your people are placed in charge of all the committees, which are crucial in getting legislation passed. The Republican majority has not allowed Democrats to hold any hearings to investigate things like the $20 billion dollars of tax payer money unaccounted for in Iraq. The Republicans have used their majority status to hold open votes until they can twist enough arms to pass controversial conservative legislation. With the majority your party sets the agenda. In this time of crisis why is Congress debating diversions like flag burning amendments, gay marriage and Terry Schiavo? Because Republicans can't win on the important issues, only through inconsequential wedge issues, and their lust for electoral victories means the people's business is pushed to the side.
Nixon famously said "If the president does it, that means that it is not illegal". Which by the way is the same defense Saddam is using in his crimes against humanity trial and the same line Bush is using in the NSA domestic surveillance scandal/power grab. With one party Republican rule Bush can get away with claiming an "inherent authority in the Constitution" to defy the laws set down by the Legislative Branch. If Bush's seizure of absolute Executive branch power is not rejected now, it will be here to stay, and a nation where the President is unbound by the rule of law is something other than a democracy.
What happens when courts rule against Bush's illegal domestic surveillance program aimed at spying on his political opponents? His loyal Republican committee chairs put on a show hearing and make some noise about accountability and then rubberstamp Bush's power abusing whim. When Courts rule against Bush's un-American torture program, his Republican senators stage a phony "rebellion" and after the theatrics are over agree to a "compromise" that would legalize torture. When Bush commits multiple impeachable offenses, his rubberstamp Republican congress ensures impeachment isn't even in the political vocabulary. Simply put, Republicans will not provide oversight of their Republican president.
Who can we vote on right here in Storrs on November 7th to take back the House and the Senate? In the House we can vote for Joe Courtney. In the senate we have Ned Lamont. With the Republican party treating Lieberman as their de facto candidate, I wouldn't count on Lieberman to cast his vote for a democratic senate majority leader. Consider a vote for Lieberman a vote for a strong Republican majority.
Some of the most important races in the country are happening right here in CT, and for political junkies like myself the University of Connecticut in the year 2006 is a fantastic place to be. Joe Courtney and Ned Lamont have visited us here, and I was able to meet and talk with both. After meeting Ned you know that he is not just another politician. He is an outsider, shaking up the Democratic party, supported by the grass roots, and it scares the hell out of the establishment in both parties. The election is going to be close, and a strong get out the vote drive right here at UCONN can make the difference.
This is an important election for the new Democratic progressive movement. People powered candidates across the country are running for election to take back the Democratic party and stand up to the Bush administration. Lamont is one of these candidates, and this election is a test for this new movement. It is immensely important for these candidates to win, to flex the muscle of this new wave of citizens taking part in democracy, and to improve morale of the Democratic rank and file. A Lamont win will send a message to all elected representatives that we are watching them, and that if they refuse to represent their constituents they can be replaced.
Why are '06 midterms important? They are the last chance to vote against Bush, last chance to get oversight, last chance to investigate, and if need be, the last chance to impeach. By claiming an "inherent authority" to defy Congress, Bush has made his move, the next move is ours. If we don't check this power grab, it will become the new normal, and set a precedent for all future presidents. November 7th is the last chance to check Bush, the last chance to get a congress to investigate the numerous scandals & crimes perpetrated on America by the Bush administration. This is the last chance to get a congress that can impeach Bush & Cheney.