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 Editorials | Opinions | December 2006 
Impeachment Is Not a Partisan Issue; It's a Democracy Issue
 Dr. Wilmer J. Leon III - t r u t h o u t
| | All Americans who believe in democracy should support impeachment. |
As we look toward January 3, 2007, the day that the Democrats take control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, one of the issues that must be addressed is whether or not the impeachment of President George W. Bush and others in the Bush administration should take place. Regarding the invasion of Iraq and the manner in which information was presented to the American people, did the president and/or members of his administration commit treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors?
Many see this as a partisan issue. Most if not all Republicans are against the idea. Some Democrats support impeachment. All Americans who believe in democracy should support it. Impeachment, in this instance, is not a partisan issue; it's a democracy issue.
First, a quick definition of what it means to "impeach." Article III, Section 4 of the US Constitution states the following: "The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." It is important to understand that impeachment is not removal from office. It is charging (a public official) with misconduct in office before a competent tribunal. After the individual is charged, a trial takes place and, if convicted, the individual is removed.
If America is a nation of laws and not of men, the US Constitution calls for, at minimum, a full investigation of possible negligent and criminal activities of President Bush and others in the Bush administration. Were the American people deceived by the Bush administration into believing that an invasion of Iraq was necessary? Why was the Office of Special Plans (OSP) set up in the Pentagon by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and run by Douglas Feith? Did the administration use the OSP to manipulate intelligence to further its agenda of removing Saddam Hussein? Were thousands of Americans sent to their deaths and many more thousands wounded, based on lies and deceit? Have hundreds of billions of dollars been spent to support an illegal invasion of a sovereign nation?
I believe these are valid questions that have yet to be honestly investigated and analyzed by an impartial investigatory body with subpoena powers. These questions and many others are not partisan in any way, shape, or form. These questions get to the crux of the issue: Did the president and other members of his administration "cook the books?" Also, has the Iranian directorate, which was established in 2006, been set up to replay in Iran what was done in Iraq?
Some may say, "Well, the mistakes were unintentional." First, evidence indicates that these were not mistakes; second, even if they were, Americans hold their elected officials to a higher standard, especially when invading sovereign nations and when the lives of American soldiers and Iraqi civilians are concerned. Their negligence should be no defense.
Start your own investigation! Do your own research!
Read Congressman Henry Waxman's report, "Iraq on the Record." This report chronicles 237 statements made by the five administration officials most responsible for providing public information and shaping public opinion on Iraq: President George W. Bush, Vice President Richard Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of State Colin Powell, and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. All of the statements included in the report were drawn from public statements, speeches, press conferences and briefings, interviews, written statements, and testimony by the five officials.
After reading "Iraq on the Record," read Congressman John Conyers's report, "George W. Bush vs. The Constitution: The Constitution in Crisis." This book is replete with evidence that the run-up to the Iraq War was laced with administration lies and distortions to make it appear that the US was threatened.
Even though Waxman and Conyers are Democrats, their research is of the highest caliber. They are public servants who swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. That's exactly what they have done. Read the documents for yourself and draw your own conclusions. Information is power, but it's what you do with the information that makes you powerful!
It is the epitome of hypocrisy for the United States to invade a sovereign country in order to bring about democracy, and turn its back on democracy at home. Some will say America will be distracted from the so-called war if it pursues impeachment. Trust me; Americans can walk and chew gum at the same time.
These are not partisan questions, issues, or reports. In a representative democracy, it is imperative that the individuals that you elect to represent you and your interests actually do so. Impeachment is not a witch hunt and it's not retribution. It's called oversight; it's called accountability; it's called Democracy in Action!
I can understand Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi working toward cooperation and bipartisanship with her political adversaries - but not at the expense of accountability. Holding your elected officials accountable is the cornerstone of democracy! Impeachment is not a partisan issue; it's a democracy issue!
Dr. Wilmer Leon is the producer/host of the nationally broadcast call-in talk radio program "On With Leon" on XM Satellite Radio Channel 169; producer/host of the television program "Inside the Issues With Wilmer Leon," and a teaching associate in the Department of Political Science at Howard University in Washington, DC. Go to www.wilmerleon.com or email: wjl3us@yahoo.com. |
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