Sunday, February 18, 2007

Democrats now have the hammer....will they use it? WHAT DO YOU THINK?

The new democratic majority in the congress has been trying to address the Iraq conflict within the context of their constitutional authority. Their initial step has been to try and formally "speak" on behalf of the people to the executive. The non binding resolution passed by the house states that they do not approve of the current surge of troops in Iraq. The Senate minority republicans have blocked this strategy by trying instead to turn the maneuver into a decision to wield a blunt instrument, (cutting off funding) which I personally think the Democrats understand is a political trap. If the congress withdraws funding for this endeavor, now that it is progress, I do not think anyone knows what the effect would be. They (the democrats) I believe hope that following a non binding resolution they will attempt to transform their blunt instrument into a surgical device and try to cut specific funding for the troop surge. Given the fact that their are many hawks in the senate such as Graham and LIE-berman who like the president and vice president, seem to want war at any cost, I do not hold out much hope for this approach... This executive branch has led us into this endeavor...they are responsible for strategy..they are responsible for tactics and they are responsible for their actions...

The congress is responsible for oversight...they have the "blunt instrument" of the power of the purse... but they also have the responsibility to speak for the people...which is what they are trying to do with these resolutions. They also have other powers.

I believe that if the executive does not respond to the congress then the congress has the responsibility to take additional steps to represent the will of the people...they have the power and duty to act on the behalf of the people. They have the power to impeach this administration....

Do they have the justification to do so? I think they do. Has this administration lied to get us into this war? Have they tortured? Have they illegally wiretapped? Have they encouraged war profiteering? Have they ignored the returning troops who need extended care? Have they now begun to bang the drums of war in the direction of Iran?

What do you think?