Vyan

Saturday, April 29

WWDD: What would a Democrat Do?

As we look forward to November we have a burning question still ahead of us as Democrats. What exactly will we do with reigns of power in Congress?

Beyond the obvious issues of actually having some genuine investigations of the Iraq WMD Intelligence Manipulation, the Renditions and Secret Prison Program, the links between the Bybee Memo, Don Rumsfeld's revised Gitmo Policy to Detainee Torture around the Globe, and of course the legality of the NSA Spying program. What is it that Democrats hope to accomplish and what do they stand for?

Will Democrats implement an Impeachment Agenda that will polarize the nation in much the same way that the Whitewater and Lewinsky Scandals paralyzed the Government while bin Laden was bombing our embassies in East Africa and subsequently made President Clinton's almost immediate response look like nothing more than an attempt to "Wag the Dog"?

I don't think the answer to that question is exactly clear.

Unlike the GOPers we can at the very least we can expect them not to be regularly indicted for Perjury, Obstruction of Justice, Bribery and involvement with a Prostitution at the Watergate Hotel. At least not usually or frequently. Democrats generally aren't so repulsive that they need to pay for it! Clinton certainly didn't (Odd that only as of today does that seem like a compliment in comparison to the GOP).

But with Democrats in power, will they force the President to implement a rapid withdrawal of our forces from Iraq by voting to nullify the Iraq Force Resolution recinding his authority to deploy troops?

But there are some breadcrumb indications that have cropped up recently.

We've had the Real Security Proposal where Democrats outlined a five point strategy to protect our troops and refocus our efforts on al Qaeda in the War against Terrorism. (As opposed to the GOP's War on a Feeling - Cue the Boston background music!)

We've had brave Senators like Russ Feingold put forth his Censure Resolution to hold the President at least rhetorically accountable for his legal mis-steps.

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has posted a litany of actions taken by Democrats:

  • Yesterday we've had Six Democratic Congressmen who were voluntarily arrested for protesting the Genocide in Darfur. Would that they have the ability to more than make symbolic gestures.

  • Rep Louis Slaughter has posted about the efforts to implement lobbying reform with teeth.

  • Rep. Ed Markley offered up the Net Neutrality Amendment.

  • Rep John Conyers has sued the President for signing a bill into "law", without the prior approval of both houses of Congress.

But is this enough? Isn't fighting back against the corruption and bullying of GOPThugs exactly what we expect from Congressmen and Senators of both parties (as Mary Scott O'Connor so eloqently pointed out on Faux News?

Shouldn't we expect from our elected leaders a bold vision of how we can realize the promise of American liberty, ingenuity and hard work?

Shouldn't we insist on a Marshall Plan for Energy Independance?

Shouldn't we insist that not only should check and balances be restored, but also the ability for Majority Party in Congress to muzzle the minority be forever limited with permenent rules changes granting them subpeona power?

Shouldn't we insist that disasters such as the ongoing Katrina Aftermath never happen on our shores again?

Shouldn't we insist on genuine voter accuracy and security?

Shouldn't we insist that Presidents can never start Wars without justification?

Shouldn't we insist on a real plan to lower costs and increase access to Health Care Coverage for all Americans?

Is it enough for us to sit back and expect them to pick of the slack - aren't they our representatives? Instead of the Prez and his special "Free Speech Zones" aren't we supposed to tell them where to go?

They represent US - they are not our overlords or Kings as Little Boy George would like to pretend.

Maybe we, Democrats among the Netroots (and uh, Snailroots), need to step forward and put forth the agenda ourselves - then rate and promote candidates who sign on to accomplishing that agenda. (Just like much of the GOP does!)

So, what would/should your Democratic (Representative) Do?

Vyan

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