I am horrified that our Congress, the one that gave us hope 390+ days ago.

There is no backbone. Have your heard Pelosi and Reid do a rebuttal of Bush? They sound like my dead grandmother; they are also acting like her. The should not expect the vote of the decent to turn-out this coming November.

The truth is that the Democrats want the massive powers Bush has concentrated into the Executive Branch for themselves. Impeachment would showcase the fact that America has become all but an elected dictatorship and police state. Hillary Clinton would be perfectly comfortable with the Bush way of governing. She is just as secretive and vindictive to her enemies. Expect more of the same in terms of executive style if she gets elected.

The Democrats not only have not made impeachment an issue, but they have ignored the loss of civil liberties, including habeas corpus, in their campaign rhetoric. If they take the White House in 2008, look for them to consolidate the Bush changes, not repeal them.

We are beyond impeachment. Bush and Cheney need to be tried for treason and put where they belong: in prison!!!

Let's not always lump Kucinich in with the Democrats who are really Republicans. I take offense.

Sophia, good to see another Kucinich supporter besides myself. I regularly contribute to his campaign. Problem is that he is the most admired party candidate who is not capturing the public fancy. I dearly wish it were otherwise.

Hi. I write regularly to the Judiciary Committee asking them to commence impeachment hearings. Everyone who believes it should happen needs to contribute directly by calling and writing as often as possible. Here's my latest letter, which came out of a journal entry I wrote when I was trying to figure out why I couldn't concentrate on something I was working on:

Dear Congressman Conyers and members of the Judiciary Committee,

I feel helpless and directionless, probably like most Americans, or at least many. It is difficult for me to proceed with my everyday, personal projects when it feels as if tyranny and fascism is closing in, and it seems like the only meaningful thing to do is to go out into the streets and protest, talk to people, read the Constitution, donate money and time to campaigns, human rights, and antiwar groups. And to write to and call Congress to support impeachment. We have been preoccupied with this criminal regime for 7 years. We now bear the remorse and guilt of the blood of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis on our hands, on our consciences. We have paid for these atrocities with our tax money. We are now being lied to again. No matter what the intelligence says, the Bush regime wants war with Iran, and the American people again have to sit around and fret that our government will perpetrate atrocities in our name. Please, I beseech you, in the name of many Americans who feel as if they cannot move on with their own lives while criminals occupy the White House, at the very least, begin impeachment hearings.

The Democrats taken as a whole are shameless. When courage is called for, they exhibit none. They claim that impeachment would impede other items on their other legislative agenda. What nonsense! They aren't passing any important pieces of legislation. They claim that they have tried to stop the war in Iraq, but they don't have the votes because it takes 60 Senators to overcome a filibuster, but they ignore that they can stop the funding for the war to continue with the votes they already have. All they have to do is to stop funding the war for it stop. They should be judged harshly, for the terrible things that have happened and continue to happen have taken place with their assent. They have enabled Bush and Cheney because they have a lack of courage and because they don't really want to stop Bush and Cheney. Pathetic they have been and pathetic they continue to be. And they appear to have no shame.

CLAUDIUS___I agree that it is far too late for impeachment. That should have taken place about 4 years ago. They have been making and breaking laws for a long time since and getting away with all of it including immunity for all lawbreakers in the inside crowd. Bush and Cheney love Guantanamo so much they should be treated to a stay in a nice place where no torture is allowed and maybe they could retire there.

We now live in a corporatocracy run by a complicite government. Party doesn't matter. It's not possible to impeach a dictator in this environment. What the people want is of no concern. They stopped listening to us a long time ago.

I agree that we are way past impeachment - disembowelment comes to mind. I'll NEVER vote for either fascist party. If at first we don't secede then try, try again.

Kernel and Whatfools

It indeed, is sad.

I never imagined such a horrendous nightmare in my lifetime as this one.

Whatfools,

I too like the idea of secession. Nice pun.

It's never too late for impeachment..never! Do it NOW, or the incredible abuse of executive power, those ridiculous signing statements, torture, rendition, non-habeas corpus and "those bald faced lies" will continue with EVERY FUTURE PRESIDENCY. Can you imagine any newly elected president (Ron Paul and Kucinich excluded) who would say, "Oh no...I'll never use these new powers..let's rescind all of them". AMERICA WAKE THE HELL UP AND STOP THEM NOW. THESE PEOPLE ARE CRIMINALS AND MURDERERS!

Hello to my friends and fellow Kucinich fans across the Gulf of Maine. Seeing what's been unfolding in your country over the past many years has been horrifying, even from this slightly removed perch.
Seeing the vital importance of the '08 Kucinich campaign for the future survival of American democracy from this vantage point, I'm more than a bit frustrated by the fact that there seems little I can do from here.
I manage to pay my rent and buy groceries each month, but beyond having bought a few Kucinich tee-shirts through an American friend in Illinois, there's nothing more I can do financially.
I do have some modest editorial and writing skills, however, if I may be able to say so here. If any Friends of Kucinich in the Pine Tree State, either as individuals or as organizations formalized or informal, might like some assistance in that area, please let me know.
I can be reached at
scottmilsom@ns.sympatico.ca

Everyone in Congress who fails the impeachment test is guilty of malfeasance in office at the very least.

The Demo form letter campaign against impeachment is amazing. The individual reps cannot even be trusted to author their own letters for fear they may stray from the bosses.

IMPEACH! NOW!

No contributions for any Dem that won't support impeachment.

Having said that, it is self defeating not to vote Democratic in '08. Take their last excuse away. Give them a veto proof majority.

I fully recognize they are pathetic but they are the only realistic option we have. and, YES, there is a difference between them and the Repugs. Not nearly enough difference but a real difference. Can you seriously imagine us being in IRAQ with a President Gore? Do you think Gore would have ignored the 08/01 PDB? Is it even conceivable Gore would have withdrawn from Kyoto? That he would have appointed Roberts and Alito to the Supreme Court? Ashcroft, Gonzales or Mukasey as AG? Ever even READ anything written by John Yoo? Endorsed torture? Had Wolfowitz, Feith, Perle or any other contributor to PNAC a part of or advising anyone in his Administration? Passed huge tax cuts for the wealthy destroying Clinton's surplus? Appointed Brownie to FEMA? That he would have dismantled the agreement Clinton reached with N Korea?

The Dems have a lot of sins to atone for. But seriously, unless you know of some ELECTABLE alternative in '08, all you're doing by not voting Democratic is giving the real criminals more power to continue destroying this country. Just like Nader who put public enemy number one in the oval office. (With some help from Jeb and the Supremes.)

lzcrmc

all you're doing by not voting Democratic is giving the real criminals more power to continue destroying this country.

The leading Democrats in the presidential race will take those criminal powers and continue on the path Bush has trod. Not ONE of them speaks of restoring America's Constitutional structure or giving up the unitary executive privilege that Bush has grabbed. It is an enormous political gift dropped in their laps.

So in the ways that matter to America's integrity and survival, it doesn't really matter which party wins the presidency. It really doesn't.

This upcoming election, like no other, will be decided by those voters who are least knowledgeable about current politics.

Anney: Agreed! Until the Dimm candidate for preznit disavows the NEW presidential powers, I cannot support them. Until they endorse constitution checks and balance, I can't vote vote FOR them. At this point, there really is no difference between the candidates of either party. It's just a matter of timing as to when we are all screwed. I'd almost prefer sooner, rather than later.....

Progressive choices:

Ideal: Kucinich and Gravel

Reality: Hillary

Outcome: Giuliani

Conclusion: Screwed

Alternative: Paul

Outcome: Paul

Conclusion: Peace, Pot and Friendly Fascism

Impeach Pelosi and Hoyer first.

lzcrmc,

Veto proof majority? If they relied on filibuster and the other techniques available to them, rather than bending over backwards for, taking impeachment off the table, etc. it might make sense to support them. But what indication do we have that they're really opposed to neocon foreign policy? What indication do we have that they're working toward single-payer? Toward rebuilding the middle-class, better benefits, etc. for workers? Vacation time, paid paternal/maternal leave, a shorter work week, etc. These are the issues that really matter. All I see is MSM-framed democrats working the image factor, but substance is off the table.

Gore, schmore.

He chose Joe Lieberman as his V.P.

That was an unforgivable sin. Sorry. Lieberman's a snake.

Question: How do we really know how many people will not vote for Kucinich? A recent MSM poll indicates that DK sits at about 5%. Yet, in a non-MSM poll, he is at 43%. In other words, where is the proof that shows we actually know the number of voters who will not vote for him?? Have we checked all of the polls? Have we surveyed everyone who will not vote for him. I will relate this analogy. There is a grant available for $8 million. All of us want to apply for it, but we are worried that we will not qualify and someone else will get it. So no one applies for it. There actually MIGHT BE more voters out there who will vote for DK than we on CD are unaware of.

We keep having this discussion about the need to triangulate our votes, the way corrupt pols do. Day after day, year after year, decade after decade. It's always easier to accomodate, appease, and compromise your most strongly-held convictions. Trouble is, all this time, American fascists (a new majority of Republicans), have been taking no prisoners. This isn't a game of cricket anymore. Chris Hedges makes a powerful argument in his latest book that lefties and moderates have failed to perceive the burgeoning danger; the new conservatives have no respect for anyone's rights but their own. They are arsonists who want to burn our house down, not remodel it.

Hillary is democratic in name only. She represents the war/Zionist Lobby faction of our party, inimical to social justice and individual rights. A vote for her is a vote for permanent war and the demise of American democracy. Delude yourself if you want, but don't take the rest of us for fools. For those with eyes to see, she's a wolf in wolf's clothing, and she ain't gonna change once she gets into power.

Suggestion: vote your conscience in the primaries if you care about freedom and the rule of law. If others do the same, the race may still be wide-open come summertime. I'm gonna vote for DK in the primaries because he's the only candidate who's willing to fight for our rights. And I'll manage without so-called basics in order to support his campaign. After all, if we lose democracy in this country, what good is anything else? Maybe he'll release his delegates. If he does, they'll support Edwards or Obama, not Hillary, and I can live with that.

But if the Dems are blind enough and foolish enough to nominate the war candidate Hillary, I'll bolt. I'll take my vote, my time, and my money elsewhere. Triangulate that.

Democracy doesn't happen by marching to rigged voting booths every four years or so. In Kiev, in Manila, in Buenos Aires--millions took over the streets for days until the government collapsed. I wonder how long this regime could stand faced with that?

When there is opportunity to change the landscape and it is not supported, the people become cynical that there will never be change. It's not enough to discuss the alternatives if they are not ACTED upon.
I am running for the Senate in Maine as an Independent, against the two non-impeacher, war funding party followers Tom Allen and Susan Collins.
Both have supported the Home Grown Terror Act and Collins has sponsored it in the Senate. What does this mean in practical terms? That anyone running against her, such as me, who has been an anti-war activist could be subject to additional scrutiny or worse, if I make a bigger impact in this race.
What does Tom Allen care? His party is telling him to keep the powers intact for their own use. Neither of these people is charting an independent course for Maine. They have shown that they are both corrupt.
To truly change this race and others like it, we cannot go with the defeatist thinking that gave us the Kerry campaign and now offers us Hillary and Tom Allen and their ilk.
Will the people settle again, and lose? Or will be debunk the myth of inevitability and declare that nothing is inevitable when the people choose to exercise and engage with the electoral process?
We have a chance; I propose we take it.
Laurie Dobson
An Independent US Senate Candidate for Maine

Perhaps I wasn't clear. I am in no way, shape or form saying I am pleased with the performance of the democrats. But some of us live in the real world and recognize, despite those short comings, there is are extremely critical differences between the democrats and the republicans.

Also, this is not simply about the presidential election. It is about all of the house and sente elections, as well. In how many of those races - and let's include the presidential contest, too - is there a viable alternative to either a republican or a democrat? Virtually zero. (I'd love to see Kucinich win the primary and I will be voting for him in the primary but, let's face it, there is a very real probability that he will not win.) Given that, you either hold your nose and vote democrat or let the republicans win. I know what I'm going to do.

But you just keep your collective heads up each other's a$$e$ and deliver the presidency to romney or guliani and keep enough republicans in congress to thwart any progress whatsoever.

abbybwood, gore chose lieberman as his running mate ... that so compares to killing 4,000 in Iraq and destroying the constitution. My mistake.

sorry, killing 4,000 US citizens and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. But at least he didn't choose lieberman ...

Paul Bramscher December 8th, 2007 10:07 pm
lzcrmc,

"Veto proof majority? But what indication do we have that they're (Democrats) really opposed to neocon foreign policy? What indication do we have that they're working toward single-payer? Toward rebuilding the middle-class, better benefits, etc. for workers? These are the issues that really matter."

We have little to no indication they are opposed to neocon policies concerning war: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=7521

And many Democrats are not opposed to the neocon agenda of destroying the middle class while increasing our trade deficit: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=7508 (Article by Dr. Roberts)

"Dr. Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury for Economic Policy in the Reagan administration. He is credited with curing stagflation and eliminating "Phillips curve" trade-offs between employment and inflation, an achievement now on the verge of being lost by the worst economic mismanagement in US history."

Cripes: Great quote: Democracy doesn't happen by marching to rigged voting booths every 4 years. So true! Unfortunately, most of the country actually thinks the presidential election is some kind of big deal! It's not!
I have often said voting is like the little kid sitting in the back seat with his little plastic steering wheel thinking he is actually helping dad steer the car! We lost our democracy our forefathers envisioned and enjoyed a long time ago. Most TV people haven't woken up to that sad fact!
Long live anarchy!

One other thing:

Dennis Kucinich was the ONLY presidential candidate who voted on the "Peru Trade Agreement" which recently passed; and he voted "against" this new trade agreement.

Funny how the rest couldn't be there to vote on yet another piece of legislation designed to ship more jobs out of the U.S. and increase the wealth of the wealthy.

VOTE: DENNIS KUCINICH IN THE PRIMARIES!

claudius, I misunderstood you earlier when you brought up the "proof" question in a discussion following an article about Kucinich, written by Sean Penn. Sorry about that. Now I get you, get you and agree with you.

Yeah, where IS the proof that Kucinich can't be elected? Hey, if you're a Republican and you can stop people from voting for Kucinich just by saying he can't win, there you go - your work is finished.

And, you know, there's a lot of that going around. Maybe we should just ignore it.

ticonderoga,

I don't know if you're referring to me but, since I'm the only one in this thread that questioned Kucinich's viability, I assume you are.

Vote for Kucinich. I am. I am encouraging everyone I think might listen to vote Kucinich. Although most people don't realize it, his positions are more consistently in line with the majorities of Americans across the board when they are asked for their policy preferences.

But I also understand there is little chance he will actually win the primary. My point is, if Kucinich does not, in fact, win the primary, what are you going to do then?

I see a lot of people indicating they will not vote for any Dem other than Kucnich (or Gravel). These people mimic the Nader line that the Dems are just as bad as the Repugs. That's the kind of thinking that gave us W in the first place. (A big fat thanks for that.)

There is a spectrum in politics. Yes, the Dems are far to the right of where I would like them to be but to suggest they are indistinguishable from the Repugs is lunacy.

But go ahead; cling to your ideological purity. You are virtuous and anyone who dares to suggest that you deal with reality is a troll. You and your band of Robespierre wannabes are the only ones worthy of opinions.

Your thinly veiled suggestion that I am a troll shows just how far gone you are. My wife is a liberal and she thinks I'm too extreme left. (Of course, what else would a troll say?) But that's really my whole point. You can be pure and alienate (sorry, no guillotines on the web) anyone who suggests compromise. But, in so doing, all you do is marginalize yourselves and keep giving the right wing extremists room to operate.

I'm not just voting for Dennis Kucinich in the primaries---I am writing him in in the general election as well. It has never been clearer to me than it is now, that the Democratic Party is hopelessly corrupt. They don't deserve our support, pure and simple.

Reid and Pelosi make me sick. But they are a hell of a lot better than hastert and boehner!

Go ahead. When the Democrats lose, they will decide they need to move more "to the center" thereby moving the "center" even further to the right.

Het wait a minute, isn't Kucinich a Democrat? Why do you suppose that is? Who do you think he is going to endorse and vote for if he does not win the primary? That's right. Because he has a brain that tells him that we can't afford 4 or 8 more years of republican rule.

Look, there are crimes of comission and crimes of ommission. The democratic crimes have been largely the latter. The real drivers in the damage that's been done to the country over the past 7 years have been the republicans. Remove that energy and there are fewer opportunities to commit either type.

Our country and constitution are in critical condition, right now. The first thing we need to do is to stop the republicans from doing more damage and stabilize things. Then we can start undoing some of the problems.

Like I said, if you sit this election out (hint: voting for someone in the general who can't win is equivalent to sitting it out) the dems will likely move further to the right. They're doing that because they don't believe there are enough reliable votes on the left to win. But if the left comes in big time, it just might be enough to convince the dems that they don't need to keep shifting right to win. If they see polling data showing that liberals voted democrat, they might be more willing to consider liberal (formerly referred to as "democratic") positions. Its no gurantee but, in the short term its a lot less damaging than handing the keys to guliani, romney or huckabee.

You folks want everyone to come over to your vews but you refuse to compromise with anyone else. That's how 5 year olds and right wingnut conservative christians think. Your just as bad as them.

Izrmc,

I'd be all for compromising if it led to even the tiniest incremental steps toward a just, egalitarian, non imperialist United States. But it hasn't done this at all.

But for three decades now, all this "compromising" has given us is a continuous relinquishment of control to the extreme right oligharchy. Republicans Richard Nixon or Gerald Ford would be to the "unelectably" to the left of every democratic candidate except Kucinich; while the current crop of Republican candidates compare favorably with Hitler.

All this "compromise" is achieving is a slight braking in an out of control car heading toward the brink of a cliff.

IMPEACH-PROSECUTE-etc, these WAR CRIMINALS, if America had any ethics,morals or conscience left in it's soul as a nation this is what really needs to be done by Americans or the World Courts will do the job and hunt then down like the original Nazi fascists.
Most everyone I discuss this administration with agrees that the Bush/Cheneyco junta need to be held accountable for their war crimes,mass murders, crimes against humanity,etc,(never mind what they're still doing to America) or the world will hold ALL of America responsible for a very very long time for it's complacency in these obscenely atrocious actions.
I miss America.