by Derek Snow

Created on: February 24, 2007   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

Abusus non tollit usum (Wrong use does not preclude proper use) - Oversight of the Government is the patriotic duty of every citizen of the Republic. Whether President William Jefferson Clinton "lied under oath" (the favorite talking heads point) or not, has not one iota of relevance as to the conduct in office of President George W. Bush any more than the fact that your next door neighbor was acquitted for speeding and you now are charged with the same offense. Would you really tell the court that you should not be tried because your neighbor was found not guilty in the past? Ridiculous.

Impeachment is not a sport between teams, Republicans v. Democrats where points are scored for getting the upper hand on your political adversary. Neither is impeachment the punishment for political miscues or personal failings. Impeachment is the Constitutional process mandated to Congress for the purpose of removing from office those elected or appointed officials who commit "High Crimes (felonies) and Misdemeanors" that affect their ability to carry our their oath as taken upon entrance to an office.

It is clear that The House of Representatives, in order to preserve the validity of our government, must hold hearings on the allegations that George W. Bush caused the loss of tens of thousands of human lives, handed out billions of dollars in contracts to his friends and political allies and made the terrorist movement stronger world wide by his inept, ham-handed approach to dealing with complex political ans social issues in the Middle East. If after holding such hearings the House finds that the President and/or Vice-President should be removed from office then it is their obligation to forward the Articles of Impeachment, outlining the specific charges to the Senate for a public trial.

We The People are charged with ensuring that Congress does it's job regarding the people that we elect to represent our interests. Our obligation extends past the ballot box, beyond Capital Hill into the very homes in which we live. Tyranny in the name of Democracy is tyranny just the same.

Clearly, impeachment is the Light of Democracy, illuminating the darkest corners of the back rooms of our government. It is time that we flipped the switch to "on."

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