Instead of trying to make people 'nervous' how about we act like the REAL grown-ups for a change?

[truebrit71]

All of this talk of impeachment strikes me as little more than short-sighted, revenge-inspired payback.

You do realize, of course, that if we move immediately towards impeachment, and act out all of the supposed left-wing fantasies of revenge and retribution that every single gop campaign ad alleged, we will hand the GOP their campaign strategy for 2008 on a silver plate. All the gop would have to say in 2008 is "We told you so."

And you know what? They'd be right.

We need to show this country that they didn't just elect a bunch of vicious, vindictive, petty-minded partisans solely interested in revenge. We need to show this country that they voted for a party that is willing to roll up its' sleeves, and start fixing the problems that have been created by their predecessors. We need to show this country that they elected a party that is willing to work towards an end to the disastrous ME policy that has this, and many future generations, mired in endless debt and significantly less secure than when their predecessors took office. We need to show this country that they elected a party that is willing not only to shine a bright light on all of the dark little secrets and smoky back-room deals that defiled the once great halls of democracy, but to use that light to show the way forward. A way forward that insures the safety of social security, the security of health benefits, the security of this country's vast borders and the security of personal privacy and the right to speak ones mind.

Don't for a second think that I wouldn't relish the idea of impeaching the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for high crimes and misdemeanors. Lord knows that he has done far more to deserve impeachment than President Clinton ever did. But if that becomes the first and only order of business, then it appears as though the braying fools on the right were correct, and this election was simply about revenge and nothing more.

Revenge is a dish best served cold, so the saying goes, and that is no more appropriate than now. Right now the spotlight is shining on this newly Democratic Congress, and the iron is still very hot. We need to strike hard and strike fast. We need to strike with all of our might and start putting things back together. We need to use that heat to start reactivating the concept of checks and balances with robust and far-reaching investigations. Top-to-bottom investigations that ask all of the questions that have remained unasked these past six years. Investigations that root out the answers and bring to light the hidden depths to which this administration has gone in order to benefit the 'have mores' on the backs of the 'never gonna have any's'. Investigations that finally bring to the fore exactly what got us into the unholy mess that is euphemistically called "the war on terror".

These and other similar investigations will finally expose the nefarious and damn-near treasonous actions (and/or inactions) of the current administration and their ready, willing and able, thankfully soon-to-be unemployed, accomplices in the republican rubber-stamp congress. As each little nugget of truth comes to light, as each step down into the muck becomes glaringly obvious to even the most fervent denier, the groundswell of calls for impeachment will grow until it becomes a deafening roar. And when the calls become so loud as to be impossible to ignore, then, and ONLY then should we move to impeach. When the electorate asks for it, when the electorate pleads for it, when the electorate demands it we should then move to do the electorates' bidding, and impeach, after all, they elected the Democrats into the majority to take care of the people's business.

Until that happens, how about we knock off the circular firing squad act for a while...because, unless you haven't been paying attention, the republicans are showing us how skilled they are at that skill as well...

Cheers!

[fooj]

1. Let our ELECTED officials do their jobs.

Patience, grasshopper.:smoke:

[Xipe Totec]

3. It's ok to give our officials some guidance

This is not about revenge, it's about a return to constitutional government.

I'm not saying anything to our newly elected Democratic House of Congress that I didn't say to the previous Republican controlled House:

Impeach the Son of a Bush.

I just hope the new Congress is a little less hard of hearing.

[Floogeldy]

2. Let's don't and say we did!

:puffpiece:

[Boston Critic]

4. Couldn't agree more

You've expressed it clearly and concisely. The first job of Congress (after getting through some long overdue bills, and maybe repealing a few laws) is *oversight*. Let the subpoenas fly and the investigations begin. I saw a comment that Congress spent something like 170 hours investigating Monica Lewinsky, and had all of 12 hours of hearings on (IIRC) Abu Ghraib.

Much that is truly ugly will come to life. There will be time for impeachment if that is what the public truly wants.

Personally I could live with it if Bush finished out his term, but was so completely and utterly discredited that the idea of voting for anyone who supported him will be unthinkable to most Americans. Let's make Barbara's hellspawn such a pariah that John McCain will have to spend most of his time explaining his eight years of craven submission.

[countmyvote4real]

5. Oversight and investigation do not always lead to impeachment.

It needs a half-cocked dick for that to happen under the GOP terms of oversight. Poppi * will most likely handle this matter and ensure that Junior no longer plays with a Dick, but a John in the new year. What is one more seat in the Senate now that the Dems have the majority?

[tblue]

6. I remember when Clinton became president, people immediately pushed him to

change the law to allow gays in the military. And he did it, believing that people are really reasonable at heart and most would get with the program. But the military and the homophobes went ballistic, and Clinton ended up seriously wounded politically. So the poor guy ran all around trying to find a happy medium but he ended up pissing everybody off. It set his admin off to a rocky start, which was really, really unfortunate. It took him a while, too, to regain steady footing.

So I say let's give our Dems some time to settle in before we demand impeachment. * ain't goin nowhere. We'll get our investigations when the time is right. I really think there's been some backroom dealing: * stays in his little playpen and Mommy Pelosi won't spank him. I don't know. I'm just guessing. I just don't want to fracture the party right now by some of us pushing too hard too early. There is a LOT of work ahead for this new Congress. There are dozens of urgent actions they need to and will take, which will make us proud. Let's give them a little breathing room on impeachment for the time being.

[cboy4]

7. I think the Democrats should do the right thing concerning all issues

and not begin tip-toeing around potential controversy because we're already worried about 2008.

If you're obsessed with worry about rocking the boat, you risk not doing what's just and cause.

I think we grew some spine during this past election cycle, and we should protect that spine.

[truebrit71]

10. I agree. Spinal fortitude has been sorely lacking, however impeaching Bush only makes Dick, Prez

..is that a trade-off that makes any sense at all?

[Mythsaje]

8. For what it's worth

I'll nominate this thread. It's the same thing I've been saying for two days now.

[truebrit71]

9. Thanks!

.

[BeFree]

11. Well, its not up to us, really

I have a feeling that it is the American people who want impeachment. Methinks they made that loud and clear just the other day.