What is the purpose of impeachment and why did the founders put it there?

[mmonk]

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. Perhaps it was for getting rid of assholes like dubbia?

Those founding fathers were sure insightful guys weren't they?

[rusty quoin]

6. Those founding fathers were sure insightful guys weren't they?

They certainly were. I like the Constitution myself, and like the guys who created it. Maybe we should stop underminding it.

[LibDemAlways]

2. They put it there to create a removal mechanism in

case GW Bush ever was appointed to the Presidency by a corrupt Supreme Court. Unfortunately, the members of Congress don't understand their part of the deal, and look where we are.

[MADem]

3. It's a tool to get someone gone that you can't control or box in by other means.

It's not a mandatory exercise, though. It's discretionary, and it requires a critical mass to effect it.

[mmonk]

5. What about the constitution, The bill of Rights and all the amendments?

Are they discretionary?

[MADem]

8. No, but impeachment, like it or not, IS.

You might not like that answer, but it's the truth.

[LakeSamish706]

4. Our Forefathers put Impeachment in the Constitution/Ammendments...

for the situation that we now find ourselves in; ie: An Administration that was basically out of control and had lost its way, that thought it was above the law and thought that it could circumvent any and all laws written by our Congress/lawmakers.... And a President that could write in his own little addendum's to laws that congress put forth for his signature.

[LakeSamish706]

And guess what? Low and behold, he seems to be doing just that! Go Figure huh... n/t

[RiverStone]

7. here ya go

From Wiki:

The Constitution defines impeachment at the federal level and limits impeachment to "The President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States" who may only be impeached and removed for "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors."

From Dennis:

http://www.nytimes.com/cq/2007/04/24/cq_2628.html

[NoUsername]

10. I think your cut-and-paste cut off the last bit.

I believe it should say "...treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. And blowjobs."

[mmonk]

11. Exactly. You win the prize.

And guess what? We are faced with high crimes.

[Selatius]

9. There's no goddamn use for impeachment at all.

It's useless if no one has the fortitude to use it, even if the trial fails in the Senate. In effect, it may prove to be utterly useless, but it sends a message far and wide that Congress did not approve of what the president has done, and it backs it up with more than mere words but actual Articles of Impeachment issued, issued in the name of posterity and for all to read in future generations.

[mmonk]

12. You are correct.

It will have shown when the constitution was openly attacked, it was defended through actions of the House of representatives.

[leftofthedial]

13. so "democrats" can take it off the table

[gateley]

14. Aren't there any tapes around that a disgruntled staffer might like to

release to the public? Don't they all tape all their conversations?

[rpannier]

15. So our representatives could hand wring and claim that it's off the table.

maybe? :shrug:

[TreasonousBastard]

16. It was put there as the sole means of...

getting rid of Executive branch members who must be gotten rid of. Beats the old European way of just killing them off.

Problem is that Congress, almost ALL of Congress, must pretty well agree that the fucker has to go. That point has not been reached with this particular set of fuckers.

It was NOT included, as far as I know, to give one party bragging rights that it is on the moral high ground by starting expensive and time consuming impeachment hearings when there is no chance of conviction or resignation of said fucker.

One group of assholes tried that with Clinton, and it turned out badly. Do we really want to repeat that sordid experience just to make a point?

[Rageneau]

17. Impeachment exists specifically to punish presidents for unauthorized blow-jobs.

You know, high crimes.