The importance of the 2006 Elections: Oversight
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I told a group of Young Democrats at the State Democratic Convention that this election in 2006 is the most significant I have ever witnessed. The early 1970s found our country dealing with Vietnam and Watergate, but there was also a feeling that our government was, however gradually, moving in the right direction. In 1968 President Nixon was elected on a promise to get us out of the war, something he ultimately did. In 1973-4 the Watergate scandal stimulated the Congress to take action. In its oversight capacity the Senate began an investigation into actions taken by the Executive Branch which led to a House vote to initiate impeachment hearings.
Those times were turbulent but largely hopeful. The checks and balances in our government were intact.
Today we face quite a different situation. The Bush administration has established a zone of secrecy which extends well beyond national security concerns. Evidence has come to light about the deliberate flaunting of our laws with illegal wire taps and renditions. In the '70s, such reports would have led to a Senate investigation. Today, our Republican Senate leadership is too troubled by political implications to act responsibly.
The Bush administration has also "stonewalled" on its analysis of the decision to attack Iraq. Through outside sources and leaks, we have found that much of the information presented as the justification for the war was false, and much of the information which argued against the war was not presented at all. In the '70s, such revelations would have had Congress on its feet in an effort to expose how such an egregious and costly mistake could have happened. Today, the Republican Congressional leadership is too afraid of the political cost to act responsibly.
Our President routinely attaches "signing statements" to the laws passed by Congress and signed by him. They routinely state that he has no intention of enforcing that law. Where is Congress? Are the Republicans who control the U.S. Senate and House so enamored with Administration policies that they are willing to absorb its abuse?
We cannot change administrations until 2008, but the failure of these Republican Congressional leaders to oversee the Executive branch can be addressed in 2006. I told the Young Dems that if we Democrats can take back one of the Houses of Congress and stop the mauling of our Constitutional balance of powers, then we might be able to repair the damage done by unrestrained Republican control over our government in a few years. But if we come up short, two more years of this irresponsible activity could find us 30 years behind - their entire working career.
Think about it. This is not just another election. This is a time when Democrats must band together for the good of our country and specifically for our young people. We are responsible for returning responsibility to Washington.
Jump in.
Those times were turbulent but largely hopeful. The checks and balances in our government were intact.
Today we face quite a different situation. The Bush administration has established a zone of secrecy which extends well beyond national security concerns. Evidence has come to light about the deliberate flaunting of our laws with illegal wire taps and renditions. In the '70s, such reports would have led to a Senate investigation. Today, our Republican Senate leadership is too troubled by political implications to act responsibly.
The Bush administration has also "stonewalled" on its analysis of the decision to attack Iraq. Through outside sources and leaks, we have found that much of the information presented as the justification for the war was false, and much of the information which argued against the war was not presented at all. In the '70s, such revelations would have had Congress on its feet in an effort to expose how such an egregious and costly mistake could have happened. Today, the Republican Congressional leadership is too afraid of the political cost to act responsibly.
Our President routinely attaches "signing statements" to the laws passed by Congress and signed by him. They routinely state that he has no intention of enforcing that law. Where is Congress? Are the Republicans who control the U.S. Senate and House so enamored with Administration policies that they are willing to absorb its abuse?
We cannot change administrations until 2008, but the failure of these Republican Congressional leaders to oversee the Executive branch can be addressed in 2006. I told the Young Dems that if we Democrats can take back one of the Houses of Congress and stop the mauling of our Constitutional balance of powers, then we might be able to repair the damage done by unrestrained Republican control over our government in a few years. But if we come up short, two more years of this irresponsible activity could find us 30 years behind - their entire working career.
Think about it. This is not just another election. This is a time when Democrats must band together for the good of our country and specifically for our young people. We are responsible for returning responsibility to Washington.
Jump in.
