Real Issues, Part 2
I thought about doing this as a response to Josh’s post, but it was going to be too long. Yes, Obama needs to be elected over McCain, but to make that the sole focus and the only issue, at least for me, transfers the unitary theory of the executive from the criminal asshole and his cabal we don’t like and trust to one that we hope we like and trust. My belief is that the transfer of that kind of power to any individual is fundamentally un-American, and while Josh preaches the “court-appointed powers of the president,” I’m demanding the adherence to constitutionally-driven limits of executive power and to the obligations of Congress and the courts to restore this nation from a nation of men to a nation of laws. To be consistent with those values is to fundamentally distrust the vision of Obama the Saviour that graces these pages and many other blogs on the progressive side of the aisle. In short, even if Obama singlehandedly could turn water into wine, I’d be as wary as I am when Cheney shoves another signing statement under Buttboy’s nose.
We’re a much sicker society with a malaise that goes right to our Plasma-perfect, “American Idol” loving cores. For me, we’re in a global make-or-break economic and biological struggle that is by necessity going to create a new world order not contemplated by the Project for a New American Century. Failure is going to be punished, hard. And we’ve worked hard to fail on so many levels, it’s hard to imagine. We’ve been knowingly arrogant and sloppy stewards of our nation, of our world and of our future for decades. The bill is due. Terrorism is far down the list of concerns given the absolute certainty of pending financial collapse and energy shortages that are likely to make the Great Depression look like a romp in the park. New politics/old politics is an extravagant conversation we can’t afford, as are racial and gender politics. You, our readers all know this, that is why you’re so damned frustrated with the discussion of campaign nits and gnats. Sorry to be such a downer, don’t mean to disturb anybody’s chi here, but economic/energy factors, plus the accelerating consequences of climate change, are going to create one hell of a correction. So with that in mind, here are some links to contemplate:
Fuel
China’s Pillage of Africa
Global Warming
Weak Dollar
Peak Oil
Impeachment
Finally, I don’t buy there’s not a lot we can do and that only “they” (the candidates) can do anything about where we are. If that’s true, don’t vote, it doesn’t matter. My take is be educated. Be vigilant. Be courageous. And for chrissakes speak out and don’t shrink from having an argument over what you know is right. Hold the bastards accountable–which is why you should write Kucinich and your congressman and explain to them why you think impeachment is the only way to preserve our constitution. Vote with your wallet–make choices that make a difference. People can be moved and outcomes shaped, but they can’t if you’re willing to throw up your hands and let pols like Obama or McCain do it for you. We’re at Defcon 1, blinking red. It’s going to hurt no matter what, no matter who’s in office Jan 20. It’s up to you how much.
Update: Apparently, I’m not alone…
Posted: June 29th, 2008 under Best of the Blogs.
Comments: 12
Comments
Comment from Sasha
Time: June 29, 2008, 6:41 pm
We might also consider the national debt due to Mr. Bush’ war, the national infrastructure, and the erosion of the Constitution.
Comment from Max
Time: June 29, 2008, 11:52 pm
You know, I remember back to Richard Nixon. He was not tried, and the Nation moved on. At first, I thought, well perhaps we should not put Bush and Cheney on trial. I felt that we would have enough troubles in the future. But thinking of these coming troubles, Peak Oil and Global warming, they are going to be deadly for America. People could start dying from them next year.
So the Bushies invaded Iraq, with the intention of dominating Middle Eastern oil and putting the problems of Peak Oil for another generation. And in the process, they let crony companies into Iraq and created a scale of fraud and graft that has not yet been seen in America. Oh yes, we have had our scandals, but these Bushies have broken the records.
But the really big thing is, we are looking at a situation where America may disappear as a nation.
And through all this the Bushies have lied, cheated, and cavorted, laughing at us, making us the fools.
And to me, that is the greatest crime of the Bushies.
Comment from Josh Hammond
Time: June 30, 2008, 6:19 am
Here we go again: no one on these pages has called Obama a Savior. I certainly haven’t, nor do I view him that way. Hell, I don’t even see him as a saint.
Nor am I in favor of trashing the Constitution by advocating an executive branch that is more equal than the other two. In fact my post says that a president can only do two things that he is constitutionally charged with: making appointments to the higher courts that are confirmed by the Senate, and issuing executive orders that legislation does not specifically address.
You and I have a philosophical difference on the matter of whether or not we are a nation of laws or a nation of men. I say we are a nation of men, until the laws catch up with us, and then only the poor have no wiggle room.
Comment from Sasha
Time: June 30, 2008, 8:57 am
Josh, I assume the ‘you’ in your post is Lefty, correct?
And Lefty, I’m glad I respect your views more than those of Mr. Friedman. I don’t think pointing to him adds credence to your views.
Comment from timr
Time: June 30, 2008, 9:53 am
LC, Chaos Rules!
Comment from Josh Hammond
Time: June 30, 2008, 10:12 am
Sasha, you are correct. The most mundane example that we are a nation of people, not laws is a subject we have been discussing here these past few days: speeding on the highway. About 90 percent of us do it, not just once, by regularly, some every day. There are “law” enforcement people who wait until you break the law by a big margin, then they selectively stop you, then if you are clever enough, you can talk your way out of the ticket as I have done multiple times for various enfractions. In this case, a law was broken the minute you exceed the speed limit by one mile, not 10 or 15, and two people are involved in “negotiating” the penalty, if there is one. If we were a nation of laws, everyone would drive the speed limit and we would not have lawenforcement people issuing tickets.
Comment from Josh Hammond
Time: June 30, 2008, 10:18 am
A Lefty, how is China’s policies in Africa an American political issue? And are you suggesting that Obama make it part of the center piece of his campaign? And if we meddle with China, is there any other country that should be treated the same way?
I believe that America had its time to pillage Africa, and US rubber companies did their share of pillaging Brazil, and the list goes on.
My though here is that many African issues will be on the Obama agenda once he becomes president, but the last thing he should do is run as a “Savior”, to use your characterization, of Africa. Talk about a Bradley effect if he were to do so! With Obama, it is everything in due time, or many new things in due time.
Comment from Leftcoast
Time: June 30, 2008, 10:32 am
Differences of opinion are what make this and other blogs vital, Josh. The tenor of most of the posts on this site and others has been pure unadulterated Obama worship–even readers see that. That’s fine if that’s the purpose of it. And you’re right, no one here has called Obama Saviour, and yet the intent is perfectly clear. No one said you’re in favor of trashing the constitution either. I think we need to adhere to limits and mechanisms proscribed by the constitution rather than have presidential power defined by judicial fiat–especially given the make up of this judiciary. Yep it’s a difference of opinon.
As for the nation of men vs. nation of laws, that is a shift that took place during the Nixon years, when he jujitsued the ’60s antiwar movement and overthrew the institutions of government more decisively than Abbie Hoffman or Jerry Rubin ever imagined. That trend continues today, amplified by Reagan and brought to a full scream by Bushco. Look at the consequences.
It would be one thing if this was not contemplated by the Founders. But it is specifically addressed. The way to stop it is by enforcing the Constitution and conducting full impeachment hearings into the activities of Bushco. Impeachment for activities such as those implemented by Bushco is the Constitutional obligation of Congress, pure and simple. To avoid that means that we’re advocating for more and greater abuses.
Not sure your speeding analogy applies. If you’re speeding anywhere in the US and a cop decides to press the issue, you’re getting fined. I ought to know. Because a cop on a given day lets hundreds of motorists whiz by safely at 10-15 mph over the limit doesn’t negate the concept that we’re a nation of laws. When treason, sedition and abuse of power is given an institutional and judicial pass because they either on the take (courts) or they lack the verve (democrats in congress), that’s a very different thing.
Comment from Leftcoast
Time: June 30, 2008, 11:08 am
Josh: Read the Africa piece and you’ll realize its strategic and climactic import. Point is that this is not a micro campaign issue that Obama, savior or otherwise, is going to task his staff with developing talking points. Worries about black/white Bradley effect are just not the point. This is a macro political and economic issue that has profound implications for us down the road (no more than 10 years). We’re running out of resources to sustain the kind of lifestyle and economy we’ve had since the industrial revolution. Like it or not, chicken little characterizations and denials aside, it’s happening under our watch. That’s what’s at stake, no matter who wins.
Comment from Max
Time: June 30, 2008, 11:27 am
As for me, I will enjoy as much lasagna and pasta while I can. Prices are skyrocketing in Japan. IN general, imported food will son disappear. Beer will probably become a luxury item, it is good that I also like sake.
We get free rice from my wife’s uncle’s farm, something to be appreciated.
Comment from Josh Hammond
Time: June 30, 2008, 2:58 pm
Lefty, signing statements are different than executive orders. The former is a relatively new practice of the executive, the latter is one way presidents run the executive. Clinton was fond of signing statements. Bush has clearly abused them. Interestly, Congress can overturn an executive order.
On Obama being a Savior, nothing rankles me more than to say, suggest, or hint at the notion that I or anyone else here thinks of Obama in spiritual terms or sees him as the answer to the world’s problems. I have and I will continue to criticize him when I think he should be, but he does have an election to win.
And the problem with China and Africa is where do you draw the line on what other countries do? (America, of course, is absolved, since our rape and pillage of other countries is history now, whitewashed history, I might add.) And what do you suggest the US or Obama–and McCain–should do about it. An Africa plank in an Obama platform is political suicide.
Comment from Leftcoast
Time: June 30, 2008, 3:41 pm
The problem with China and Africa is NOT where do you draw the line, or if it’s advisable for Obama to have an Africa plank (it’s not). The problem is that collectively, US-led consumerism and the global markets it has created are pillaging this planet to a point that it will become uninhabitable–unless we radically reorder how we live and how our economies work on a global scale. That’s going to cause tremendous upheaval and pain like we haven’t seen certainly in our lifetimes, perhaps in human history. Everything else is mouseshit.
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