According to the most recent CNN poll, 58% of Americans believe we should withdraw all it's troops from Iraq immediately or within one year. According to the same poll, 52% of Americans believe that Congress should vote to block the government from spending money to send additional troops to Iraq. These are fairly typical numbers that come up in recent polls, they are nothing unusual. Yet, despite this, Congress isn't even talking about withdrawing all troops. The current "withdrawl" plans would only affect "combat" troops, even if they weren't watered down by Republicans. No one in Congress is talking about abandoning our superbases, though a majority of Americans want to give them up. Even in the House of Representatives, the chamber intended to be most responsive to the wishes of the Public, our representatives are blatantly ignoring our demands.
Unfortunately, I can't find a recent poll about impeachment, but back in 2005 Zogby reported that 42% of Americans would support impeachment if it was found that Bush lied about his reasons for going to war with Iraq. Given how his polls have fallen since then, I would guess that it would be higher than that now. Yet, despite significant public support, impeachment is "off the table" as far as Congress is concerned. On these critical issues, as well as many others, Congress is completely ignoring the will of the people.
Our government has traditionally been considered a republic. The theory is that our officials represent our wishes in government, ruling on our behalf. When Congresspeople stop caring about the opinions of their constituents, they are meant to be held accountable through elections. Yet, in our present condition, absurdly few public candidates actually support the will of the people when they actually get into Congress. Through the political parties, our American system of government is broken. Instead of a representative republic, we have an oligarchy which has been drifting towards dictatorship.
As time has gone by, more people here on dKos have been pushing for impeachment. I agree with impeachment in principle, getting rid of Bush is a high priority for me too. However, Congress has consistently failed to seriously oppose Bush. No subpoenas so far, no independant prosecutors, and only a handful of hearings. I think it's very unlikely we'll actually see articles of impeachment. However, even if by some miracle Bush was impeached and convicted, do any of us really think he will leave office? This is the man who ignores Congress whenever it's inconvenient and claims to be above the law. If he won't obey Congress telling him not to torture people, do you really think he'll obey Congress if Congress tells him to let go of the power he's siezed?
Given all these obstacles to democracy, it's easy to despair. After all, the entire government has shown clearly that it doesn't care what you think.
And yet, I have hope.
History has shown us repeatedly that governments only exist with the consent of the governed. When a government commits too many acts of outrage against its citizens, the citizens stand up and say "No more!" Sometimes a government will listen, and Nixon resigns. Sometimes a government does not listen, as in the American and French revolutions. When the people wake up and realize they are strong, nothing can stand in their way. All we need is courage and daring.