As a member of Congress, I have sworn an oath to defend the Constitution
and the laws of our nation, and I have pledged to represent the views of
my constituents and of all Americans.
That’s why I feel both duty and sorrow in pursuing the path of
impeachment against Vice President Richard B. Cheney.
While the impeachment movement has generated intensely strong sentiment
and activism, there have been only two polls published on the question
of impeaching Vice President Cheney. In a national poll, 54 percent of
Americans favored impeachment. In one state poll, 64 percent of
Vermonters favored impeaching the Vice President.
Twenty-one of my colleagues have heeded the public demand and signed on
as cosponsors of my resolution, H Res 333. Others in the Congress have
claimed they have more important priorities, but have told their
constituents they will keep their views in mind if the matter ever comes
up for a vote.
Well, the issue is coming up for a vote this week on the floor of the
U.S. House of Representatives, and the “distraction” will require
members to balance their priorities between Constitutionally proscribed
justice and recourse and the alternative: Constitutional abuse and
dictatorial power.
Only by taking up impeachment can we reinstitute a balance of powers and
slow down the rush to launch a new war of aggression against Iran.
I am urging my colleagues to recognize that impeachment will not create
a crisis by briefly disrupting their schedules on Capitol Hill. The
crisis, as Americans outside the Beltway know, is upon us. Congress, the
first branch of our government, to which the first half of the
Constitution is devoted, has been reduced to almost a bystander as the
policies of the wealthiest nation and the largest military ever known
are set in secret by the Vice President's office. Under Bush/Cheney, we
have become a nation that illegally threatens and launches aggressive
wars for political – not national security -- reasons. For this crisis
of confidence, this denial of our Constitutional beliefs and rights,
impeachment is the only cure available.
I urge you, my fellow citizens, to share your sentiments with your
Members of Congress and with your family, friends, and the news media in
support regarding the rule of law and the imperative of impeaching a
vice president who has misled both the public and the Congress about the
gravest matters possible: war and peace. Please join with organizations
like
www.ImpeachCheney.org in making your
voices heard as soon as possible! Every individual Member of Congress
will have to decide within days where they stand.
On Tuesday, when I introduce my privileged resolution to force this
issue to a vote, some other member of Congress will almost certainly
move to table (kill) it. A Yes vote to table is a vote to delay the
enforcement of the rule of law aside. A No vote to table is a vote to
give impeachment a chance for a full and fair hearing. Please help me
get this message out.
And, please help me sustain and expand YOUR platform on this and other
issues by voting for me in Democracy for America's presidential poll:
http://democracyforamerica.com/pulsepoll?c=6
Right now, before the primaries and the caucuses and February’s Super
Tuesday, your vote – TODAY -- can change the tenor and direction of
public debate by letting the other candidates, Congressional leaders,
and political power-brokers know that some issues are too important to
side-step, table, or ignore. You know what you believe and what you
stand for.
Now, today, your vote may mean more than ever again.
Thank you for everything you are doing. Now is the moment to step
forward, whatever the challenge or struggle. Now is the moment in which
we must preserve and defend our Republic by using the tools that its
authors provided. Tell your Congressional Representative what you think.
Tell the nation – through Democracy for America -- what you believe.
Let's save our pessimism for better times.
Peace,
Dennis
