The Enemy Within
In the draft of his farewell address, Eisenhower warned of the undue influence of the military-industrial-congressional complex. Thus, indicating the essential role Congress plays in the corruption of the military-industrial complex. Unfortunately, Eisenhower decided to strike the word congressional in order to placate members of Congress.
Our Senate used to pride itself on being the greatest deliberative body in the world, but under Republican leadership meaningful debate in the Senate was a rarity. On the eve of the vote to authorize the invasion of Iraq, Senator Robert Byrd asked: “Why is this chamber empty?” Congress abdicated its constitutional responsibility to decide whether our nation would go to war, by authorizing Bush to use force against Iraq.
In “Losing America,” Sen. Robert Byrd reveals that prior to the Iraqi war resolution some senators were almost terrified at the prospect of being labeled “unpatriotic,” if they voted against the resolution. He doubted that some members fully comprehended the magnitude of Bush’s grab for power and that Congress was relinquishing its Constitutional authority and responsibility. Byrd’s concern was that Bush was given a “blank check” for the unrestrained use of military power. Byrd concluded; “Never in his view has America been led by such a dangerous head of state.”
Congressional Republicans have been an obedient, docile and compliant accessory to the executive branch of government. They must cease their hysterical, irrational fear-mongering and defend the Constitution, by aggressively conducting themselves as the independent and coequal branch of government they’re supposed to be.
The role of money in the re-election process, coupled with the diminished role for reasoned debate has produced an atmosphere conducive to institutionalized corruption. Democrats have initiated some positive changes, but they haven’t challenged our corrupt, imperialitic military-industrial congressional complex. Is this because some anticipate lucrative defense contracts for their districts?
Our Senate used to pride itself on being the greatest deliberative body in the world, but under Republican leadership meaningful debate in the Senate was a rarity. On the eve of the vote to authorize the invasion of Iraq, Senator Robert Byrd asked: “Why is this chamber empty?” Congress abdicated its constitutional responsibility to decide whether our nation would go to war, by authorizing Bush to use force against Iraq.
In “Losing America,” Sen. Robert Byrd reveals that prior to the Iraqi war resolution some senators were almost terrified at the prospect of being labeled “unpatriotic,” if they voted against the resolution. He doubted that some members fully comprehended the magnitude of Bush’s grab for power and that Congress was relinquishing its Constitutional authority and responsibility. Byrd’s concern was that Bush was given a “blank check” for the unrestrained use of military power. Byrd concluded; “Never in his view has America been led by such a dangerous head of state.”
Congressional Republicans have been an obedient, docile and compliant accessory to the executive branch of government. They must cease their hysterical, irrational fear-mongering and defend the Constitution, by aggressively conducting themselves as the independent and coequal branch of government they’re supposed to be.
The role of money in the re-election process, coupled with the diminished role for reasoned debate has produced an atmosphere conducive to institutionalized corruption. Democrats have initiated some positive changes, but they haven’t challenged our corrupt, imperialitic military-industrial congressional complex. Is this because some anticipate lucrative defense contracts for their districts?
posted by Jim O'Leary | 12:00 AM
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