Sunday, November 12, 2006
Accountability is an American Value
As we've said, it's time for subpoenas
The reality, as confirmed by poll after poll on specific issues, is that only 33-37% of Americans truly support the extremist right-wing agenda pursued by the Republican party. At least 45-49% are liberal or moderately liberal issue-by-issue -- whether they acknowledge it or not.
The remaining 12ish % are the people who blow with the wind. These are the ones who all too often decide elections, sadly. And this time, even the right's media megaphone couldn't trick them.
Democrats need to look over the wall of right-wing propaganda erected around Washington to see that the country agrees with them. And that the country wants accountability.
Americans live with accountability every day, in every aspect of their lives. They'll have no problem with the same being exercised upon the failed managers of their government.
In fact, they're waiting for it.
- Let the Investigations Begin
Op-Ed Contributor
By STANLEY BRAND
November 12, 2006
The Democrats' victory has stoked the fire beneath an already brewing debate within the party regarding the need for investigations of the executive branch during the Bush administration's two remaining years. Some Democratic members of Congress are reluctant to pursue investigations into war profiteering, detainee interrogation or other controversial issues, fearing that such scrutiny of the administration will make Democrats appear petty and partisan and cost them electoral support in 2008.
A vigorous examination of the administration's conduct, however, is not only the appropriate action as a matter of constitutional prerogative, it is the politically necessary response to voters' overwhelming rejection of the current Congress's failure to assert itself in this area.
For the past six years, Congress's oversight function has atrophied in a unitary Republican landscape. To be sure, investigative power should be exercised carefully, thoughtfully and with due regard for the rights of a coordinate branch. But Congress should not shrink from its duty to investigate a reluctant or recalcitrant executive, especially one that, while cloaking itself in secrecy, has boldly asserted unprecedented powers in the initiation and conduct of war å? with disastrous consequences that the electorate has now repudiated.
By performing their constitutional obligations, the new Democratic majorities in the House and Senate will surely do right by the Constitution and the country. But they will also no doubt do very well for themselves.
The reality, as confirmed by poll after poll on specific issues, is that only 33-37% of Americans truly support the extremist right-wing agenda pursued by the Republican party. At least 45-49% are liberal or moderately liberal issue-by-issue -- whether they acknowledge it or not.
The remaining 12ish % are the people who blow with the wind. These are the ones who all too often decide elections, sadly. And this time, even the right's media megaphone couldn't trick them.
Democrats need to look over the wall of right-wing propaganda erected around Washington to see that the country agrees with them. And that the country wants accountability.
Americans live with accountability every day, in every aspect of their lives. They'll have no problem with the same being exercised upon the failed managers of their government.
In fact, they're waiting for it.
