Yesterday was a sad day for America, but most especially for New Mexicans who fought hard to be heard, represented and matter.
I attended each Hearing and Press conference related to Senate Joint Resolution 5, the Impeachment for President George Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney. I even warmed up the StateHouse prior to the Resolution's introduction with a couple days of demonstrating all by my lonesome.
But it went down in defeat, killed before sundown in Santa Fe, NM, with the help of 9 Democrats. Obviously they don't support the party and it's principles as they joined ALL Republicans who voted their party line.
Some believe there was strong arming for a Governor who wants to be President. Some said they didn't think New Mexico had a place in our countries affairs-imagine that?
We had 13 Democrats with the backbone to uphold our Constitution and America's principles over politics. But in particular, are the sponsors that worked tirelessly for New Mexicans and America. Treasuring our Consitution, democracy, law and the oath of office of the President and their responsibility to the PEOPLE.
Please don't let Senator Ortiz y Pino and Senator Grubesic's efforts be in vein. Demand of Washington, Vermont and New Jersey to pass legislation for the Impeachment of George Bush and Vice President Richard (Dick) Cheney.
I will leave you with these final words of Senator Grubesic:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SENATOR JOHN T.L. GRUBESIC
MARCH 8, 2007
This country was founded by rebels. This country was forged in violence, ferocity, dissent and uproar. This country is vanishing before our eyes, not because we are blind, but because we are willing participants in its destruction. Today on the Senate floor you witnessed an excellent example. The Impeachment Resolution died quietly with no debate whatsoever. The dignity of the New Mexico State Senate was maintained as we followed carefully designed rules of procedure to ensure that nothing disrupted the workings of this austere body. We did a great job of making it appear that government was working.
However, we have to ask, which government and on whose behalf? The action taken by the Senate was not the action taken by a body that protects the freedoms of a sovereign people. The action was a carefully orchestrated option designed to protect the integrity of an institution and perpetuate the well oiled workings of government. A government that has evidently forgotten that we serve at the pleasure of those we govern.
It is clear, that from the highest levels of government in our country down to our State, very few of us want to deal with the unpleasant political mess that impeachment could become. Our actions today showed where our priorities are, we forgot that the Constitution was not designed to serve government, but to protect the people. There should have been a debate, argument, uproar. Instead, we quietly gutted the sovereign power of the people with polite political procedure.
When future generations look back on our time, the shock will not be because of the violent, impolite nature of the fight that preceded the destruction of Constitutional government, but by the meekness with which we watched it die.