Those who would like to see the end of Bush/Cheney, please use this link to a YouTube video. If you agree with what's said there, forward the link to everyone you know. We must keep the discussion about ridding ourselves of the Bush Adminstration alive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO7_vwk74pQ

Thank you.

What else can be done? Most young idealistic Americans have become apathetic, which is represented in popular media. Yet I try to stay hopeful. I have submitted all sorts of support for articles of impeachment against the dictatorial regime, yet I do not see any support at the higher echelons of government, i.e. Congress. I support the right candidates, yet big money, Big Oil, Big Pharma, etc. rhetoric, and spin always win. I support renewable, clean energy, cleaner cities, better communities, improved health care, education, etc. yet Big Oil and other interests such as faith-based initiatives still control the political process. It is a bad sign when Oprah won't even build schools here, because she knows nobody would even care and it would be useless, but instead build in S. Africa where young people can still appreciate things....Internet is basically allowing expression of views, but is it really empowering? I do not have time to go to Washington, D.C. to march, and would anybody care if I did? Would the process change? I hope people in this election really vote for real change in the process, and support whichever candidate has demonstrated they are not being controlled by PACS, and other interests? Which candidate really comes from grassroots and represents the majority? Boomers are the majority and, from what I have seen, they do not care about the future, but they are the largest voting bloc in this country...they have already had their chance and blew it....anybody who can still travel in this country with a declining dollar and increasing security can see how far we are falling behind.....

Well why do the democrats think it is such a bad idea???

In WWII we were told in no uncertain terms that if we gave information or any sort of aid to the enemy we would be shot. I looked up the Articles of War, and they say more: Even if you do such treasonable things "by neglect" or getting someone else to do it, the punishment will be death or (they didn't tell us that)"such other punishment as" the court may decide on.

Now that the Vice-Commander in Chief, and the responsible Commander in Chief himself were behind the outing of Valerie Plame, it is essential for the honor of our country, for the moral standing of our country, that we impeach these two criminals. (We don't know, and can't know, and I'm sure they didn't know how many of our agents were put into danger, lost their effectiveness or even their lives.)

Admittedly, the Democrats would be left with the huge mess this mafia administration has presented us, but that shouldbe used as an incitement for the Republicans to go along with an impeachment movement: The mess the Democrats might not be able to clean up would be a help to get a Republican elected.

On the other hand, the Democrats have a pretty good panel of presidential candidates who might be encouraged to be a Council of Presidential Candidates to help the Chief of the House run our country for the next year, postponing campaining for at least some months. And doing something for Universal health Care, a better tax bill, a reasonable environmental policy, cleaning up the department of Juistice, and a few other things.

LET'S DO IT!

I agree with Mr. Keillor, except that impeachment won't be necessary. I am a Democrat, but I am an American first and I truly believe that our government in its present form cannot address the issue of Iraq and terrorism in any coherent manner. We do not have another twenty gut-churning months for a solution to this carnage.

It seems that neither party can enact a paradigm shift in thinking. Fear of losing power and taking responsibility drives them all. They cannot and will not see that the problem of this war and our dysfunctional executive cannot be solved by tinkering endlessly around the edges with benchmarks, deadlines, war funding and what happens in 2008. We have lost a great measure of our strength and standing in the world and along with this our ability to deal with the issues we face. Our military is strained beyond reason, yet we still have an obligation to try and fix the mess we have made. The only solution that will make a difference has surely been considered and cast aside by my timid party. The fact that the unraveling of Iraq and the disintegration of the Bush administration is actually advantageous to Democrats makes a rational unified way forward nearly impossible. Democratic campaigns are well served by this crippled administration; the nation is not.

The Congress must assume the responsibility given to them by the Founders and stand up to this dysfunctional Executive for the country, her soldiers and a responsibility that rightly or wrongly has been assumed by all of us. This president and his cabinet must be removed and it can be done swiftly as soon as the will exists. It will be replaced by the functional government that the American people should be demanding.

First, to gain any kind of credibility after their weak efforts, the Democrats must create their own version of ‘shock and awe’. They must demand the Democratic presidential candidates suspend any participation in the presidential race and start focusing on their duty rather than who will be the next president. However improbable this sounds, it is what must be done even though it threatens dreams of future power. The problem is now, not 20 months from now. The suspension of the race will suck the wind out of the irrelevant political yammering and focus the talking heads, press and hopefully the nation on the very serious moves that must take place. It will empower the Democrats to move forward as nothing else could.

As the congressional Democrats refocus their energy and efforts to that of salvaging our wrecked government and foreign policy, they will be able to enlist more Republicans in their rescue work than any conventional wisdom would allow. It is absolutely possible to attain the resignation of the President and his enablers if it is done ruthlessly and swiftly. The absolute inevitably of impeachment, trial and conviction will be enough. There are several iron-clad impeachable offenses that almost everyone can now recite. Only the absolute certainty that impeachment will be used will ensure that it will not be needed. The great irony in this situation is that a majority of the Republicans, after some ‘Democrat’ bashing, will leap at the chance to remove this millstone from their party’s neck and will complete the super majority. They will see their redemption and rehabilitation in this action and actually become the more eager actor. The courage, however, must come from the Democrats in the knowledge that in removing this Executive, they will surely be helping the Republicans. They will be helping the nation more and that should be the only calculus. This will require a determination and strength that the country has not witnessed in Congress for many years. If the strength is found to rein in the Democratic presidential aspirants, who benefit so much from this weakened Presidency and will surely fight this action, the earth will shake underneath the White House.

The march up to the White House by Congressional leaders of both parties will be a day for the history books. The weakened Executive will give in to all demands and step down because power will give them no choice, and that they understand. As part of the process, Cheney must be made to step down first and a new VP selected to address the fears of a Cheney or Pelosi presidency. The new VP/President would have to be a Republican and it must be someone like Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is familiar with Iraq, diplomacy and who, ostensibly, has the experience to guide the country. It would be nice to have a promise from him or her not to run, but that is probably not enforceable. Democrats will just have to take their chances, but again, their charge is not re-election but to construct an effective government now.

The new cabinet should be bi-partisan so that a unity government is assured and justified public suspicion further ameliorated. The possibilities for this executive branch are breathtaking if it employs the most experienced and pragmatic negotiators, peace makers and war fighters from all parties.

Most importantly, America can renew herself before a startled, yet immensely relieved world. No longer will our allies and much of this nation withhold their valuable resources in a desire to see this strange and destructive administration fail. The delight of watching the hated American executive branch twist into oblivion will no longer affect decision-making across the globe. The only logical benefit to our allies and even some foes will be to change rather than abet the violence in Iraq and the Middle East. Congress will move ahead with a level of respect and support that it will hardly know what to do with and with a common cause rather than half of the government benefiting from failure. Campaigning can resume after the nation’s business is taken care of. The new government's course in Iraq is another item of discussion.

James Clare Woodside

Architect.Planner