The right of ordinary men and women to
determine their own future, protected by the rule of law, lies at the heart of
America's founding principles.
Thomas Jefferson? Abraham
Lincoln? Which one of our great lawyer-Presidents proclaimed these
stirring words?
George W. Bush. Yes, our current
President has officially proclaimed today, May 1, to be Law Day.
I wish I was joking. But this isn’t The Onion. This isn’t
George Orwell’s 1984. It’s America 2008.
This is how George Bush has fulfilled
his responsibility to protect the “rule of law.”
Legal
limbo at Guantanamo and torture at
Abu Ghraib. Violating
international law in order to invade Iraq. Spying on innocent
American citizens without a warrant. Proclaiming the ability to detain
U.S. citizens without charge or trial. Signing
statements to circumvent the will of Congress. Running
to the
Supreme Court of the United States to stop Florida’s recount in the
2000 election. This is George W. Bush’s legacy.
First and foremost, when our next
President takes the oath
of office, he or she must swear to preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution to the best of his or her Ability and faithfully execute the
Office of the Presidency.
What would this mean if we elected a President who
shared our progressive values? It would mean a President who respected
the co-equal powers of Congress and the courts. A President who did not
spy on American citizens, or detain them without access to a lawyer or to the
courts. A President who by his or her example led all Americans to
respect and obey the law.
Bush
has not done this. Whether or not that makes him
impeachable – which isn’t likely going to happen - one thing is clear: Bush
has not abided by his presidential oath. But his time is almost up.
A progressive future is within
our grasp. Join us.
