Progress vs. Congress

It appears that our elected officials are intent on confirming Bush's nominee for Attorney General, Judge Al Gonzales. Does anyone else get the feeling that our course is nearing the point of no return? George Bush and company are forging ahead with even more extra-Constitutional policies that are sure to set back democracy decades if not centuries. The list of this administration's assumed powers continues to grow at an alarming rate, yet congress refuses to rein them in and the news media will not hold anyone accountable for fear they would lose their access. With the confirmation of Al, the torturer, to top man in justice it is a sure bet that no one in the administration will ever be held accountable for any transgression.

The notorious “torture memo” that Gonzales produced confirmed for W what he already assumed. That he can do as he damn well pleases and that he is above the law. Thom Hartmann pointed out in his news-letter that even though there is a provision for exempting the rule of habeas corpus, it is a power only held by congress. W does not have the authority to incarcerate and hold citizens indefinitely, without a trial, or charges, or legal representation, regardless of what Gonzales believes.

The confirmation hearings is the ideal place for the democrats and like minded republicans, if they exist, to put W on notice that his days of uncontested power grabbing are over. Actually, they are going to need the practice for the approaching battle over Social Security Reform (read “elimination”). Allowing Bush and company to forge ahead as they have, without forcing them to fight for each inch of ground, can only embolden them for even greater constitutional infringements.

If we desire to change the direction in which this administration is leading us, as we must, then Congress has to take the responsibility of challenging policies and behaviors that are inconsistent with the constitution. For us to move ahead, Congress can not be the opposite of Progress.