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Planet
Waves | May 15, 2005
Ahhhh -- politics. What a snarl, today. You've no doubt heard
the flap about John Bolton's nomination -- and this business of
the "nuclear option" proposed to remove the filibuster [also known as
cloture.] Just more Washington hijinks? No, we're at a serious
juncture -- this is a critical moment in the future of our democratic
process. There are wheels within wheels within webs, on this one.
Lets go over the particulars of two seemingly separate issues.
John Bolton has been proposed to one of the most important positions in our nation -- he will represent the American face at the table of nations. But Bolton does not present an attractive face -- Ted Kennedy said today that Bolton has been the architect of our current political situation in North Korea, and for that alone he should be disqualified. There is evidence that he is one of those politicans that bullied and manipulated to get faulty WMD information. He has insulted just about everyone he's worked with ... including the United Nations, itself. Bob Schieffer said today that he understood that Boltons nomination was the equivelant of throwing him a bone -- he had wanted to be Condi Rice's undersecretary and she wouldn't have him. Meanwhile, the White House, it is reported, did not expect this outcry. Bolton has been a loyal, if abrasive and belligerent "enforcer" for this administration -- and his nomination sends a deliberate message about how little respect America holds for the United Nations. John Bolton's name was advanced by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee without endorsment, which is a rarity. Even if he is confirmed, the message has been sent, world-wide, that John Bolton does not have the confidence of the Congress or the American people ... and this will surely effect his ability to represent us. Now we come to the filibuster, a system whereby minority parties are able to run the clock and delay or block legislation, although this abuse is rare -- it is designed to debate and slow the process and provide the minority a voice. The Republicans have threatened removal of this congressional tool in advance of their push to get controversial judges in place. While only a handful of Bush's nominee's have been blocked, he will not budge on them ... he continues to send the same players that were rejected back to the table. George doesn't "back up," you'll remember -- it's not his style. Bush is making a point with his insistance. These aren't the judges he wants most, anyhow -- we have Supreme's coming up ... and that's the Big Fish our president is eyeing. The judges at question today are just minnows, but the GOP is stirring the waters. Helping them, the Far Right conservative religions are roundly ignoring "separation of church and state" to throw their congregants behind the "nuclear option." The removal of the filibuster, meanwhile, would constitute an unprecidented change to the rules of Congress and harm to the democratic system. Rent Mr. Smith Goes To Washington to see how this works [and who we used to be] -- you will discover that cronyism and manipulation has ever been with us, that nobody on earth could be as naive as Jimmy Stewart's character ... but you will also get a FEELING for this amazing system we embrace, and the pulse of free-speech that beats under its skin. I know people who sneer at the mention of this movie -- they shouldn't. It goes to the heart of who the American people are -- and I hope, continue to be. Most democrats and many moderate Republicans are uphappy to be in this position. To remove filibuster for ANY reason is to limit Congress and discard a "checks and balances" rule instituted by the founding fathers 217 years ago. While Bush has not spoken candidly about what he wants, Washington insiders tell us that arms are being twisted, and intimidation rules the day. George Bush has spent too much of his "political capital" on his losing propositions -- Iraq and Social Security ... he's beginning to quack like a lame duck and he knows it. If Bolton is rejected, Bush will lose considerable face and momentum. If cloture remains in effect to break his judicial deals, he loses even more. In a nutshell, then, we're looking at a power grab. The gears are turning and this has become a bitter struggle to impose majority party will on the legislative body of the Congress of the United States and subdue the minority. The Congress will then act at the pleasure of the president, rather than as a separate body representing the people. The effects of this will define the tone for the rest of this presidents term, and the direction of our nation for years to come. Remember -- you have a voice; if this deadlock in Washington disturbs you, use it. Your congresspersons may or may not feel comfortable with their pending vote on cloture. Most of them are also very aware that their own job is up for grabs in 2006, and their re-election is in the hands of their constituents. Peace ~ Jude The Ultimate Republican Power Grab http://www.interventionmag.com Nuking Democracy http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0515-25.htm What the Founders warned against http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2005/05/12/filibuster_principles/index_np.html Plenty of Harm, Lots of Fouls
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/051405C.shtml Vote 'Wrong,' Go to Hell? http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0513-21.htm Eric
Francis is on holiday. Jude, the editor of Political Waves, is
standing in for his daily blog this week. You can subscribe to Political
Waves (our all-politics news distribution list) for free at the link
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