To Impeach, Or Not To Impeach ... J. D. Longstreet

To Impeach, Or Not To Impeach
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet
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We have been telling you for several years now that there is an undercurrent of rage coursing through America just below the always restive surface. Conservative leaders  have done nothing to call the Obama Administration to account for the abuse of power so obvious to anyone politically aware n America today.

The Republican Party, the home of conservatives in our two party system, is split in twain -- as is the country itself.

The US House of Representatives, controlled by the GOP,  is torn by a near rebellion in it's ranks -- the so-called "establishment" republicans versus the "conservative" republicans.

Even a general appraisal of our national condition, politically, would give rise to a jolt of shock to any of our Forefathers should they be able to pierce the veil of the grave and assess America's state today.

Many on America's political right are openly and passionately calling for A Bill of Impeachment to be passed in the US House against our President, B. H. Obama.

On the other hand, there are powerful figures, also conservative as well, and some from the establishment republicans who argue impeaching Obama is a waste of time and effort. It is the latter who currently hold the positions of power in the GOP.

Me?  I tend to agree with BOTH sides.  I think Obama SHOULD be impeached.  At the same time, I understand that there is not a chance of a snowball in Hades of ever getting the Democratic Party controlled Senate to convict Obama.

However, some have suggested, and I agree, impeachment proceeding, (the trial, if you will) of Obama would serve to make public all the abuses of power by Obama, and so much more the average America voter is not aware of.  It would be a real eye-opener for the electorate.

There has been the suggestion that once the America voter learned of all the abuses of our president, they would be so angry, it would render the President impotent and force the Senate off the dime and into action.  Of that, I am not so sure.    

I'm not convinced the Senate, as now composed, (mainly of democrats) can be moved to convict Obama of anything, certainly not as the result of an impeachment in the House of Representatives. 

It is possible that the outcome of the election next November could change the Senate to republican control but that is nearly a year away and much can happen in politics in a year.

However, it is becoming more and more obvious to Americans on both sides of the political divide that America cannot continue her current course.  The animus has reached a level only seen between Americans in the years preceding the American Civil War. 

The legislative branch of our government seems oblivious to the threat to domestic peace.  On the other hand the executive branch is well aware of it and has been quietly preparing for civil unrest that could break out at any moment.  Remember all the massive purchases of ammunition made by the various department of the government, over the past few months and years?   Included in those munitions purchases were things like armored cars and tank-like war fighting vehicles.  The government has been busy militarizing our local law enforcement agencies, too. 

Add to all the government's preparations for an American uprising Obama's purge of the general's and admirals in our military who are not dedicated to him more so than the constitution and you begin to get a glimpse of the physical readiness of the Obama Administration for domestic unrest.

Then, too, there are those who suggest that a successful impeachment of Obama would spark a race war in America between blacks and whites.

The impeachment process is not an easy one and there have been only four serious discussions of impeachment by the Congress in the history of the United States and not a single president has been removed from office as a result of impeachment.

Consider this:

Andrew Johnson was actually impeached when Congress became unhappy with the way he was dealing with some post-Civil War matters, but Johnson was acquitted in the Senate by one vote and remained in office.

Congress introduced a resolution to impeach John Tyler over state's rights issues, but the resolution failed.

Congress was debating his impeachment over the Watergate break-in when President Richard Nixon resigned.

William J. Clinton was impeached by the House on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice in relationship to his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Clinton was eventually acquitted by the Senate.  SOURCE:  http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/thepresidentandcabinet/a/impeachment.htm

Consider this from the Impeach Obama Campaign website:  "A charge against Obama that is an easy one to make is perjury.  He said he would support and defend the Constitution.  But he has caused a less perfect union, established injustice, has destroyed domestic tranquility, removed money and support for the common defense of this nation, made the general welfare of the nation worse, and made our liberty less secure now and into the future.  He also violated Article I, Section 1, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution, which states that all legislative powers are granted only to Congress.  Only Congress can change a law once it is adopted.  Obama has done so often with the Affordable Care Act.  He has also tried to work around Congress whenever possible." SOURCE:  http://www.impeachobamacampaign.com/

Then there are those who say we're better of with Obama serving in the Oval Office than with his successor, Vice President Joe Biden. If that hits you with the force of a blow to the solar plexus, just remember -- Biden IS the constitutional successor to Obama should Obama be impeached and found guilty and removed from office.  (Talk about raining on your parade, what!?)

Look.  Impeachment is serious business and ought not be bandied about as some sort of Damocles sword hanging always over the head of our leader(s).  Nevertheless, our wise Forefathers wrote it into the constitution:  Article II, Section 4: "The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. "

In the book "A History of the American Constitution" (1990), authored by Daniel Farber and Suzanna Sherry, they tell us of the debate and discussions that ultimately gave us the final words we find in our constitution today as they regard impeachment: 

    "Finally, there were many debates about the exact procedures that should be followed in cases of impeachment. Some delegates mistrusted the Senate, and some the House.  Many were worried that neither branch would have enough firmness of purpose to oppose the president.  A few were concerned that providing for impeachment would subordinate the president to the legislature.  The Convention in fact could not reach agreement on most of the issues arising out of impeachment procedures.  The Committee on Detail thus forged its own compromise
provisions that appear in the Constitution.  Although there was some grumbling, the Committee's basic ideas were accepted."  SOURCE:  http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/impeach/constitution.html
       
So.  Do I think Obama should be impeached. 

Yes. 

Do I think Obama will be impeached? 

No, I don't.

Why?  For several reasons:  The GOP doesn't have the cahones for it, and the democratic controlled Senate would never convict, AND -- over shadowing it all is -- Joe Biden, Obama's constitutional successor.

Seems to me the best we can hope for now is a crushing defeat of the democrats in next November's election.  The GOP must control both houses of Congress to have a chance at a successful impeachment. To repeal Obamacare, they'd need -- not just control of both houses -- but a veto proof majority of the Congress to override Obama's certain veto.

The next eleven months are pivotal to the future of America. 

J. D. Longstreet