Cross-posted at Passive Ranting.
More empty words, more hollow threats, more deadlines that change so often we might as well call them "calendars."
No accountability, no oversight, no consequences. Nothing but capitulation, bending, and breaking.
I'm starting to get nervous that this isn't merely a case of weak Democrats without the fortitude to be strong in the face of unchecked Executive power.
Am I the only one who thinks that maybe the Democratic party has seen the power and money that can be gained from a Bush-esque presidency and is eagerly waiting their turn for such rampant abuses?
I don't want to wallow in the boggy trenches of Conspiracy Central, obviously, but I'm having a tough time imagining that the Democrats are so utterly weak and ineffective that their constant bending and capitulation isn't a part of some larger plot, some scheme to reap the benefits that the Republicans enjoyed during Bush's first 6 years as Emperor Dictator President.
Can that be why the Democrats are constantly -- CONSTANTLY -- backing down, constantly refusing to stand against Bush? Can they really be rubbing their hands together, anticipating their turn at the helm?
I hope not, but there is a case to be made for it.
Non-binding votes, mediocre challenges to sweeping Executive claims of power, constant backpedaling and slow-playing their hands. Leahy's dodging of simple questions regarding his response to the White House's continued refusal to turn over documents.
To me, there are really only three possible reasons for the actions of the Democratic party:
- First, maybe they are slowly gathering evidence and actions and -- sometime soon -- they will unleash a wave of charges and hearings, designed and organized to utterly decimate the Bush Administration. I'm sure this is the option they want us to believe, but it seems too Hollywood for me. The beloved hero, absorbing punishment and attack after attack suddenly unleashes his power to win the day and save whatever needs saving.
As I said, too Hollywood. Such things are best left to feel-good movies about unlikely small-town sports teams making it to the playoffs or romantic comedies where the two main characters finally end up together. Hearings and investigations take time, and unless the Democrats are being extremely crafty, I'm not seeing any wave of investigations or suddenly-stumbled-upon evidence saving us.
- Second, maybe they really are this weak and spineless. Maybe they've decided that resistance is futile and that it's easier to just go with the flow, pretend to fight and collect their paychecks.
We resist believing this to be the truth because then it will mean all our work, all our efforts, and all the promises made by the Democrats in 2006 were for naught. If this is true, it will inevitably cripple the party, as disillusioned and pissed constituents -- Democratic and Independent alike -- abandon the party in droves, either to form splinter parties or just say "Screw it" and abandon politics completely.
- Finally, maybe the Democrats don't want to limit Executive power. Maybe they're counting on the disgust felt towards Bush and the general crappiness of the Republican Presidential candidates to deliver unto them an even larger majority in Congress and a Democratic President. Once there, Bush's precedents of unchecked power and complete disdain for any reasonable limits of what he can do will be in Democratic hands.
Maybe they believe they'll use it for good, maybe they believe they'll use it responsibly.
It's a scary thought that Democrats are waiting in the wings to seize such powers for themselves. And honestly, this is probably not the case.
But can we completely dismiss it as a possibility?
I wish we could.
UPDATED: Haha, I keep forgetting that I have a blog and I should be using it. Good times. Thanks to everyone for the comments, it's interesting. Keep them coming!