"Too Late For Impeachment, But Not Too Late For Investigation"

Impeachment. The sound of the word can send shivers down the spine of the whole nation, even when it’s necessary.

In our nation’s young history we have only brought proceedings against two of our presidents, one resigned and one was acquitted. Therefore it’s not something to be taken lightly, however, I do believe that it’s time that we as a nation did the job that we didn’t do while they were in office, since a friend of mine pointed out that it’s only impeachment if the charges involve a sitting President, and start proceedings against the Bush administration.

I know that many would see this as a partisan vendetta, while others, think that we should look toward the future and solve the problem that are before us rather that look back, but I feel that we will not be able to move forward, not effectively, until we start righting the wrongs of the past starting by holding the ones who perpetrated those offences accountable.

Holding the people responsible for their actions, in my opinion, should never be considered as vindictive or as a witch hunt as long as it’s done fair and by the book. The Clinton hearings to me seemed to be un-fair due to the fact that nothing that they were trying to make stick to him should have been a “High crime or Misdemeanor”. No I’m not just saying that because I voted for him, I’m saying that because he had an encounter of a sexual nature in the “Oval Office” with a woman other than his wife. Yes as a President this was wrong and yes he should have not have done that, but, no one died because of this, national security was not put in jeopardy, and no one’s Constitutional rights were taken away. Basically, the only victims of this unfortunate episode were the trust of a man’s wife and a blue dress. Yet it seemed like Ken Starr was trying to get a lynch mob together.

Fast forward to Bush. He was practically asleep at the wheel for the fist 8 months of his presidency, he ignored warnings in his daily security briefs which let to the 9/11 attacks. Then he and his cronies used the fear and confusion of the people to extend the power of the executive branch past what was intended by our founding fathers, to take away constitutional rights of our citizens. His administration lied to the American people so that he could get authority to invade Iraq, and his VP’s company received the contracts without bidding for them, as is procedure. He passed laws that undid years of environmental protection, and de-regulated Wall Street which let to the sub-prime mortgage crisis and, subsequently, caused the failing world economy.

There is, in my opinion, more than enough evidence to launch a special investigation into these actions. And if it’s pursued with half as much energy and determination as the Clinton investigation was there should be no problem getting a conviction.

There are other countries in this world where Bush and Cheney are considered war criminals and are to be arrested on sight. There is even one city in Vermont where the police have the same order. Other countries should not have to clean up our mess; we should be willing to do it our selves. And, if we let them get away with it then we are setting a president that says that our constitution isn’t worth the paper that it’s written on.