Washblog

"Apply pressure."

First, the Bush administration, through their interpretation of the Constitution's separation of powers, through their use of signing statements, and through their public comments, has already sent more than enough signals that it considers the Congress irrelevant.  The Congress failed to reign in the administration when it wanted to go to war in Iraq.  It has failed to reign in the administration when it has used signing statements to eviscerate the meaning of any legislation it dislikes out of existence.  It has failed to reign in the administration as it dismantles our Bill of Rights one by one.  It has failed to reign in the administration by attempting to pass non-binding resolutions against continuing the war in Iraq (which it has failed to pass), instead of bills which would cut the ability of the administration to further fund the war in Iraq.  And it has failed to reign in this administration as it prepares for an undeclared war against Iran.

Much of these actions are the result of efforts by Vice President Cheney.   While I would prefer that Vice President Cheney be impeached first (and am hopeful that the present trial against his chief of staff, Lewis Libby, will translate the existing evidence presented into implicating the Vice President in, and prosecuting him for, his own criminal acts), the honest truth of the matter is that it will make no difference whether Bush or Cheney are removed from office first, because they work together to implement policies with which they both agree.  Bush relies on Cheney to buttress his arguments.  Cheney relies on Bush to sell the ideas to the Congress and to the public.  Both lean on each other - remove one, and the whole edifice starts to collapse.

Frankly, given the treatment of the legislative branch of the nation by the executive branch, given the executive branch's attack against dissent, what else can they do to harm us if articles of impeachment are tended?  

Second, the Bush Administration understands two things - power and pain.  They are willing to use whatever power they have to whatever ends they wish, and they will not wait for anyone to stop them.  They are the Gingerbread Man of American Politics today.  As we try to grasp the import of their actions, as we try to feebly stop them by alerting them to the fallacy of their actions, they run off to the next stage of the disaster we call American Government and American Foreign Policy today, daring us to catch them.
It is only by making it as painful as possible to govern, only by applying pressure on all fronts and as severely as possible, will the Bush administration be constrained and eventually reversed from their present direction.  The less that our Democratic representatives from the Congress do this, the more likely alternative, and the more likely direct actions against the Bush administration will take place.  For that reason alone, Murray and Inslee should be grateful that Senator Oemig provides a reasonable alternative to more disruptive measures.

Support Senator Oemig's bill in the Washington state legislature now.  Contact your state legislator now and let them know that you want this bill to pass:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

Below is a link to the bill itself:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=8016

Note the March 1st date for a public hearing.  That is this Thursday.at 3:30 PM.  Are people interested in going as a group to this event in Olympia to show our support?

Are we willing to show with our presence what we really believe in?