Letters to the Editor
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To Less Hopeful & telsblack
Thanks for your comments about my earlier post. Civilized discourse in an online forum is such a refreshing thing!
My thoughts on the Alito matter are shaped by a few aspects of the current political climate. Telsblack, the 'obstructionist' meme regarding Democratic members of Congress is already widely circulated among the various media; I don't think that's something that we would do well to encourage. Now, if there were a similar 'obstinancy' meme regarding the President (which, quite frankly, he deserves), it might be possible to push back in the way that you suggest. But, that's not really available at this time. This makes me think that Democrats would be vulnerable to this attack if they were to stage a filibuster of a candidate that, on cursory examination - which is all most people will give it-, appears to meet the requirements of a Supreme Court justice (education, experience, intelligence). I might feel differently regarding the filibuster if the Democrats on the Judicial committee had done a better job in pointing out the problems in Judge Alito's record.
Less Hopeful, I agree that there's something a little unsavory about making decisions like this on purely political grounds. That said, it seems to me that politics are critical at this time: we need to win back at least one of the houses of Congress during the midterm elections. I think that the smartest approach right now is to attack the many Republican vulnerabilities (especially the corruption angle in the House), and try not to offer an easy target. The media can only attend to so many issues at once, and I think that it's smartest to keep the focus on those things that are clear to everybody (e.g., influence-peddling is bad) rather than those things that are harder to argue (e.g., Alito's view of executive authority threatens our freedoms).
This is a tough issue, but these are the thoughts that informed my post. I welcome any and all comments or criticism that anyone might have.
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What's wrong with firing up the Democratic base?
One of the things that seems to be missed in this debate is that the political climate in this country has changed, at least for now. Thanks to Karl Rove's "divide and conquer" strategy, the bases on the left and the right are what matter. In 2004, Kerry went for the middle and Bush went for the right, and Bush prevailed. Democrats have been very slow to learn this lesson, in many ways, I think, because to truly accept this as the new political reality in the United States is to accept that bipartisanship is, even in theory, a dead issue.
As it pertains to the Alito nomination, there are millions of disaffected Democrats and other people in this country who want someone to fight. Al Gore didn't fight hard enough in Florida; the Congressional leadership rolled over in 2002; Kerry couldn't or wouldn't take his gloves off and come out swinging in 2004; and it is quite obvious that the Democrats have no intention of fighting in 2006. What this country needs is a leader -- anyone, please -- who understands the disaffection in the country and is willing to stand up to Bush. If Democrats cannot find the stomach to stand for something now, when Bush is so embroiled in scandals and failures, they will be forever relegated to the status of the Tories in Great Britain: an ineffective opposition party that looks and sounds like a bad imitation of the ruling party and can or won't do anything to change its status. It's time to stand up, be counted and filibuster Alito. A vigorous opposition is the only thing that can bring about a Democratic victory in November.
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WHERE ARE YOU WHEN WE NEED YOU
Democrats, Independents, and Republicans who believe in the constitution: Now is the time to stand up and say NO NO NO NO NO NO to Alito. He has made it clears that he thinks the President's powers are essentially unlimited. If he is confirmed, voting, speaking, filibustering against him may be the last meaningful act you get to perform as a member of congress. After his confirmation, everything will be hot air, windodw dressing, and the President setting fire to the constitution once and for all.
STAND UP STAND UP STAND UP.
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Democrats! Get your damned act together!
If not us, then who? If not now, then when?
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Alito must be stopped!
President Bush asserts that he has the power to arrest and hold Americans indefinitely without charges or access to legal council, and now he proclaims the right to break any laws he sees fit in prosecuting the war on terror, including spying on Americans without a warrant. According to Mr. Bush, he is the law. Judge Alito supports the concept of a Unitary Executive, which is a direct threat to the separation of powers and the checks and balances that protect our liberty. Should Alito be confirmed, it is clear that he would be a rubber stamp for approving Bush's outrageous assault upon our civil liberties. If ever there was a time for the Democratic party to rise up and fight, it is now.
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Congress' self mutilation
It is absolutely amazing to watch Congress so willingly give up power to an inept administration. With the Alito confirmation all but a done deal, with a previous Court having handed an election to them, there seems to be no way Congress or the Court can investigate any of the mistakes this administration has made. A turning point in American History, for sure.