As I was submitting my comments to a petition pleading with Congress to go forward with the impeachment hearings for Dick Cheney, it was rejected because I had already signed the petition. I needed to express my thoughts so I decided to write a diary.
My perspective is not a deep political analysis nor a list of crimes committed. My view is one from a parent and from an observer of behavior. As usual, I ask more questions than have anwsers, but it may lead to an interesting discussion.
As any parent knows, if you do not provide appropriate consequences for undesirable behavior, the negative behavior tends to escalate. Inaction is a reinforcement of the behavior because it allows the action to continue. A family is a microcosm of society and since behavior is behavior, my theory with regard to impeachment boils down to basic parenting.
Involved and caring parents provide clear boundaries (the rule of law) and when those boundaries are tested, the parents (Congress and the courts) must provide appropriate consequences, be consistent in their enforcement and follow through with the threatened consequences. Being a good parent takes stamina and vigilance, but the goal of raising an adult with character is well worth the hard work. The well being of the family (the United States) depends on how the parents raise and discipline their children. And in turn, how the children engage with others (the international community).
As I said, this is simplistic and the analogies may not be exact, however, I still believe my analysis pertains to the condition of our society and government in general and the impeachment of the vice president and president in particular.
Given that Bush and Cheney have accumulated tremendous power and control in the Executive Branch, and given that Congress hasn't held them to account, the following questions keep resurfacing.
Why would Bush and Cheney create a path leading to a dictatorship and not follow through?
and
Does anyone ever walk away from unfettered power and control?
An out of control child grows into an out of control adult. One who destroys everyone and everything in his/her path until someone intervenes or the person totally self-destructs. To continue with the parenting analogy, will Congress intervene or will Bush and Cheney continue their path of destruction bringing our country down with them? Congress allowing Bush and Cheney to "run out the clock" on their administration without consequences is dangerous and irresponsible.
The rule of law must be restored. If no man or woman is above the law in the United States of America, then there should be no question of having impeachment hearings. How do we teach our children right from wrong, when the leaders of our country are not held to account for lying and breaking the law? Is Congress willing to risk further destruction of the Constitution, our nation as a whole and our national security?
Congress must enforce the subpoenas already issued, use the power of the purse responsibly and proceed with impeachment hearings.
If you haven't already, please go to:
http://www.wexlerwantshearings.com/
http://www.democrats.com/...