Taking Action

In regards to my previous post “I am Afraid“: I have little in the way of resources. Like more and more Americans, I am on a very tight budget. We are so busy just trying to “get by” that we have not much time, energy, or money to fight this. I suspect that is as planned…

But, I still have a voice, even if it is a small one. I intend to use it here and in sending emails to my representatives (as if that will really do much good). Perhaps, if more and more people spoke up…I just don’t know. It may get very ugly before it gets better.

A few weeks ago, I sent an email from ImpeachBush.org in support of House Resolution 333. Here is what I wrote:

(This first part of the letter was pre-written for any who wanted to use it…we are encouraged to add to it or to rewrite it as we wish – I kept the pre-written part and added my own thoughts.)

I support House Resolution 333 calling for the impeachment of Vice President Richard Cheney. I also support the impeachment of George W. Bush. As your constituent, I am writing to insist that you and the rest of the House of Representatives carry out your constitutional duties to defend the Constitution of the United States.

It is unconscionable that the House has obstructed an open discussion of the activities of the President and Vice-President. This administration has taken this country into a criminal war, is threatening to start a new war, and has violated the constitutional rights of the American people. It is time for the House to fulfill its constitutional obligations in response to these impeachable offenses.

(Now for my addition:)

I am appalled that we, the American People, have let this go on for so long. I am appalled that when we do call for impeachment, our representatives refuse to answer the call. Everything our country has stood for is going down the drain.

Do we really believe in the values we espouse? Do we really believe in our Constitution? Do we take our oaths seriously? When I joined the U.S. Army many years ago, I took an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies – foreign and domestic. Do our representatives not take this same oath? If so, why are they not fulfilling this oath? Or, were they merely empty words said just to get the job?

Forget the side issues like abortion and illegal aliens – our opinions won’t matter if our Constitution is destroyed. If we let Bush and Cheney get away with this, it will open the door for others to grab unchecked power, or is this what you are hoping for?

As a moderately educated person, I understand the principles behind checks and balances. Do you? Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Even if Bush and Cheney have the best of intentions (which I don’t believe they do), no one can guarantee they won’t become corrupted. No one can guarantee that persons following them in office will be uncorrupted by all the unchecked power. That is why our founding fathers wrote the Constitution. So, either they (Bush and Cheney) are ignorant (of these principles) and incompetent, or they do not have our best interest in their hearts. At the very least, by dismantling the checks and balances, they are opening the door for tyranny. Why are we letting them get away with this? Surely, you are more educated than I am. You must understand this better than I could say it.

I believe that dismantling the Constitution, destroying checks and balances, and lying to take us into war are are acts of treason. Our young men and women are dying for the lies told to get us in this war.

Clinton was impeached for sexual misconduct, and there were no lives at stake. The American People did not call for that impeachment, but it was done anyway. His misconduct did not kill anyone, nor did it deprive the American People of their Constitutional rights. Yet, he was impeached.

Now, our Constitution is under attack, our rights are being taken from us, and our young people are dying. We, the People, have called for impeachment and have been told “It is off the table”. What???

I admit to being nervous about speaking up. For the first time in my 48 years, I have become afraid to voice my opinions. In a country that gives lip service to freedom of speech, I am afraid to speak. But, I am more afraid to keep my mouth shut.

For the first time in my 48 hears, I am ashamed to be an American. And I am angry.