So who really runs things in America these days? The GOP? The Dems? It’s neither. The fact is, our nation has been the target of a hostile corporate takeover by Big Money:
http://www.beggarscanbechoosers.com/2006/05/hostile-ta keover-author-david-sirota.html

Democrats may not gain control of the senate in November.  Republican Gerrymandering under Tom DeLay has seen to that.  Ahhhhh good old congressional district manipulation…where would incumbent senators be without you (and the corporate financing of course!)  Perhaps we should just stop mucking around and start WWIII.  Might be the only way out of this total fincancial cock up our un-democratically elected officials have left us all in.

A little off the subject, but I was so pleased to hear you defend Al Gore as a possible candidate for President in 2008 on your Friday radio show.  I only heard part of it, but what a difference our view of America and the world would be if Gore had taken his rightful place as president in 2000.  I really want to see Hillary as president, but will happily settle for Al Gore.  When, if ever, will America be ready for a woman president?

I like Scheer’s piece and sarcasm regarding Bush’s statements about Iraq, and agree with Scheer’s, “The pressing test for the ideal of democracy lies not with the Iraqis, who must make their own history, but rather with an awakened U.S. citizenry finally holding its imperial president accountable.”

But I seriously question whether Bush is going to be held accountable even if the “US citizenry” is “awakened.”  This would require election of representatives who feel the same way.

November is of course important, but I wonder if Democrats (even if in the majority) would be willing to begin impeachment proceedings against Bush and Cheney despite what, in my opinion, is a pattern of impeachable offenses.  I do think many Americans are finally seeing through Bush’s propaganda, yet I am not at all optimistic that the November elections are going to seriously affect the downward spiral our nation is on.  I cannot look toward November’s midterm elections as a “turning point” but only as a band-aid on a huge festering wound our nation has been suffering under: capitalist tyranny and thus political tyranny.

I’ve become disgusted (in general) with both Democrat and Republican parties.  I see few leaders—people of integrity who are consistent, strong, bold.  What I often see are politicians who sway with whatever is politically expedient.  I really have little hope Democrats are going to make the difference needed to turn this nation around domestically and internationally.  We need leadership from those who would make the Constitution and Bill of Rights their priority, and who would always respect the Geneva Convention, International Law, and the ICC.  Where are politicians who refuse lobbyist money?  Where are politicians who are consistent in what they say and how they vote?  Where are politicians bold enough to oppose the billions of dollars of vast international aid (particularly to Israel); where are politicians willing to take a stance against U.S. intervention in the Middle East and elsewhere? Where are politicians whose focus is the welfare of our people?  I see very few who provide such hope. 

So, holding our “imperial president accountable” is difficult when the elections often simply insert more politically ambitious people versus real leaders who truly care about the republic. Do our emails and phone calls to our representatives mean anything to most of them?  I’ve done that for years, but seriously wonder how many really pay attention to what their constituents are voicing.  Elections?  It appears to be primarily all about money—who has the most to spend to win the elections; platforms seem virtually meaningless…it seems to be more about the slickest glossiest ads/commercials and image projection all relating back to money to pay for that.

Why does it always have to come to the two parties?  We need a party of the people…a party whose priority is Constitutionally based, whose politicians will make Americans and their lives the focus of their governmental service.

We, as a nation, have suffered much loss to our civil liberties, inflicted much pain and death worldwide, and just how much more will we, as Americans (as well as people worldwide), suffer under Bush and his gang for two more years?  What about using those hundreds of billions of dollars allocated for Bush’s war on Iraq for health care, medical research, and most importantly: education.  What about protecting Americans on our soil…personally, I believe we are much less safe now than before.  All Bush has done has wasted billions of dollars and thousands of American men and women’s lives in Iraq, killed tens of thousands of Iraqis, and enraged even more people against America. It is my opinion that Iraq just gives Al Qaeda a shooting gallery against American targets (our military)...and our continued presence there just continues to increase the danger against Americans. If Bush takes military action against Iran, I regrettably think it may well be the final straw to major collapse of America as we know it. 

What to do?  I liked the earlier post from David (#10197), and understand his frustration.  I think many Americans have awakened…and wonder what can we do?  Bush and Cheney are egotist, and the ego always marches straight to defeat…but I do not want to see them take my country down with them…which is what I think is happening now. 

Will November change all that?  Agreed, it’s a possibility…but one I doubt.

Yes, a Democratic controlled Congress is certainly to be preferred over a Republican controlled…but there’s a lot more than that needed before a “turning point” in this country occurs.  Many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck; they worry what will happen if faced with a medical situation; they pay much of their money just for basic necessities such as housing-electricity-food; they struggle. We need to turn this nation from a corporate tyranny into a nation that provides for its own people, to a nation where the people get much more in return for the taxes they pay, to a nation that leaves the rest of the world alone and focuses on provision and security for its own people.  I do not see that happening from simply getting more Democrats elected. 

I think we need major electoral reform which will allow other candidates equal chance at getting their views heard.  We need a party of the people, supported by and for all those who are disenfranchised with the status quo…but I think the type of electoral/campaign reform needed to make that possible would be opposed by both Democrats and Republicans. 

If we get a Democrat-controlled Congress (which is the best we can hope and vote for now), I will watch with interest to see if they affect any significant change.  It would certainly be good if the questions Scheer raises become asked and investigated.  I want to see such accountability.  But I am realistic, not optimistic, when it comes to the election process in America…thus, I think getting more Democrats elected is important…but it is not the solution to the enormity of the social ills of this nation nor will it provide an end to this nation’s imperialism…and those are the biggest issues.

The real “turning point” for American citizens will be when capitalist tyranny no longer controls our government, our media, our lives…when we have representative government which respects the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and which is focused on betterment of our lives (versus empire building for the benefit of the capitalists).

To All:

The reality is Red and Blue Americans will not WAKE UP till Bush policies hit YOUR individually purse strings.  I have watched many friends FALL financially that voted for BUSH.  They fell into the
- low ARMS mortgages
- excessive credit card debt
- upgrade to larger homes only having 2 pay 3 x the amount for heat/electricity
- and the final nail was their GROCERY bill that has gone up 300 % since 2001.
- Service industry jobs for all you Americans: try restaurants and bars
- TRUE PAYING JOBS left in the last 5 years that pay anything (unemployment figures don’t take into account part time workers still seeking full time work, individuals that fell off benefit time frame). Try 12 percent UNEMPLOYMENT nationally. 
- Merit raises – little itty bity that don’t match the true COST of LIVING via CPI: Clinton screwed that up. The USA government doesn’t want YOU to realize the true cost of living.

Most Americans are now ” BLEEDING ” financially to death by their weekly food and energy bills.  Do you know someone who has DUMPED their SUV vehicle?  Notice the restaurants aren’t as full anymore?  Notice the malls empty on the weekends?

For those of you don’t realize how much, check in here for a TRUTH eye opener:

CPI the government produces Excludes Food and Energy add it back and… Smell the INFLATION.  Here is the Commodities main INDEX :  CRB …UP UP and AWAY to the moon.
http://charts3.barchart.com/chart.asp?vol=Y&jav=ad v&grid=Y&org=stk&sym;=$CRB&data=H&code= BSTK&evnt=adv

GOLD is screaming INFLATION, if we make a weekly close at $850.00 we go to $1150.00.  That’s okay just add another 50 percent to YOUR food and energy bills.

http://charts3.barchart.com/chart.asp?vol=Y&jav =adv&grid=Y&org=stk&sym=GCM6&data=H&cod e=BSTK&evnt=adv

The BUSH LIES are related to the almighty US DOLLAR.  The dominant world RESERVE currency was the US DOLLAR until the arrival of the EURO.  All foreign countries bought and sold OIL and foreign trade in the US DOLLAR.  Not anymore.  It cost the USA nothing to print more money via our FED and US monetary system, but it will if we buy OIL in EURO”S……its costs.  Relative to BUSH INCOMPETENCE leads to USA economics DISFUCTION.  Need more vacation time BUSH?

http://charts3.barchart.com/chart.asp?vol=Y&jav =adv&grid=Y&org=stk&sym=DXM6&data=H&cod e=BSTK&evnt=adv

You will see HYPER - INFLATION.  You think things are expensive now, oh the best is yet to come. What is HYPER- INFLATION?  Check in here for understanding: http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/Hyperinflation.html

AFGHANISTAN
We invaded Afghanistan for oil pipeline development from end to end via Caspian Sea. (TAPS) Ask any US Soldier who has traveled 1000’s of miles in Afghanistan.  The PROOF is very, very clear.  OBL was told to leave Afghanistan along w/ Taliban, before 911. They were offered money to leave.  NO was their answer.  We invaded, and KILLED OBL using SOCOM longagoandfaraway. 

IRAQ
Saddam stated on 11/2000 NO oil will be sold unless in EURO currency.  After we invaded, we reversed the currency back to US Dollars with the first barrel shipped.  The fine print in the OPA agreement shows USA owns IRAQ!  The only “little” problem was the OIL in Iraq was to PAY for the WAR!  Well they the Iraq’s keep blowing up pipelines, refineries, and rigs, transport stations, oil wells.  And now YOU and YOU and YOU will PAY for BUSH mistakes.  More Inflation. High trade deficit, budget default coming to a theater near YOU.  Who wants to HOLD USA Debt?  Dump, Dump, DUMP by foreign countries.  The BOND market is screaming at YOU!  Our US Treasury Secretaries have been back before Congress 5 X to Expand the default figure. 
As for the famous “ Zarakowi” = the real one is DEAD, longagoandfaraway.  The current pretty Zarakowi = RECON US Military.  They are GOOD and a lot better than any realize! We keep him alive to scare YOU! Boo, Boo. Trick or Treat. Thanks for my New Balance shoes!

IRAN
The reason Bush wants IRAN Regime change is relative to an OIL EXCHANGE (oil FUTURES contracts) in EURO’s that was to be opened on 3/2006.  Why do YOU think our FED closed down ALL reporting of M3 figures?  REPO”S and Currency change figures.  Oh I can smell the FRAUD brewing in the pot.
http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=31906& rss=true

This administration is so “educated” that they have NOW successfully pissed off RUSSIA, adding more damage. Bush is NOT a communicator, remember he is the “DECIDER”. Sorry about your gas and oil says BUSH!

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_mike_whi_06 0523_vladimir_putin_and_t.htm

GOOD JOB BUSH, as I pat you on the back!  Bush and Cheney need to be placed in the ocean of “INCOMPETENT   - White Collar TRASH” !

Bush has great surprises in store for all in JUNE.  And some in August.  Open YOUR wallet nice and WIDE Americans.
————————& #8212;———————R 12;———————— ———-
“Oil is a different story.
The IMF recently calculated that the latest rise in the price will cause a shift of $850bn per year from oil importers to exporters. The IMF says this will make global imbalances worse, creating the risk of a sudden panic on global financial market.
Further rises to $100 in the oil price will add $2 trillion to $3 trillion per year to these imbalances. This increases the risk of a sudden panic on global financial markets from possible to probable to definite.
Somewhere in the not to distant future the cry could be for “cash before the crash”. “

IMF
WORLD BANK
CENTRAL BANKERS
WORLD RESERVE CURRENCY
NYMEX = ICE
NYMEX = IBP
FED – m 3 figures
FOREIGN CURRENCY RESERVE DIVERSIFICATION
GREENBACK
GLOBAL IMBALANCES
UAE= NYMEX EXCHANGE
GOLDMANS PREDICTION 105.00 a barrel ( my prediction 107.00)

Okay on with the GAME ...... BLEED onward and upward please make it fast >>>>>>>>> 8.00 for A tube of tooth paste and 4.50 for A gallon of gasoline…………..I can’t wait, then the troops will be out of IRAQ!  Bring it on BUSH…then we can hear the American Public POLLS really SPEAK to YOU! 

As for the INCOMPETENT Military Generals, they are plentiful – Myers, Casey, Franks, Pace!!!!  True to forum, these current Generals will be noted after the fact as the “Lying Crooks” with no clear respect by the American Public, just as General William Westmoreland!

Sincerely,
LONGAGOANDFARAWAY
“in GOD we Trust” (NOT)

Who knows if the Democrats will be able to take Congress in November?  Who knows if, given the numbers, they would have enough conviction to impeach and remove Bush? 

Given his track record, I suspect that if Bush were impeached he would not resign and would be content to draw out the resulting hearings for the rest of his term regardless of the effects on the government and the country.  He’s never shown the least interest in what’s best for the 99% of Americans not directly benefitting from the military/industrial/oil complex.

Ironically, this may not be a bad thing.  I would be interested to know if it is possible to remove the vice-president at the same time as the president ... what was the mechanism for dumping Spiro Agnew? 

Certainly the last thing the world needs is President Dick Cheney.

the article is right on target like the ten thousand others except for one thing…nothing is going to change…november is a joke…nobody but daydreamers believe it will change anything..if anything would change it would’ve a long time ago…it’s over…the real america has won

If our strategy is to ‘elect’ politicians and lawmakers and wait to be saved then it truly is over. Take responsibility daily. Where do we put our dollars? Get our news? What do we do with our spare time? Boycott. March. Strike.
http://www.operation2012.com/

All is lost. The Dems are Repubs and the Repubs are Dems… there are no defining lines… nothing new, nothing difinitive. Corporate money pays… corporate government rules… red or blue. Until Congress sobers up, we are leaderless and powerless. Money talks, the rest of us walk and scoop up the poop as we go.

Confrontation… which of our elected ‘leaders’ have the balls to lead the charge. None that I see. So we lose again.

How long will Americans go on participating in Bush’s shell game. “Now you see progress. Oops, now you don’t.” He has made it clear that it’s up to the next administration to straighten things out. I guess we’ll have to wait until then to see real “progress,” which will be measured by the extent that US troops are withdrawn.

I keep reading that the GOP/Bush cabal is so over and come November the voters will send the majority in Congress packing.  I don’t think so, evidence the article in the LA Timee today which shows Cheney to be a prodigious fund raiser despite his poll numbers.  Big money is running the show and while I believe the GOP will take a beating this November, I don’t believe the deep pockets that finance the Right is going anywhere.  Not when the Democrats can’t decide what side of the fence they should be on and put up a candidate that is viable and can win.  Not when the most pressing matter for many on the right (the religious right) is abortion; they will vote for anybody who is Pro-Life.  They are willing to give away the rights our Constitution guaruntees us to protect the rights of the ‘unborn’ and keed women down. Not when more Americans care about who will be the next American Idol than they do who will win or lose in the mid-term elections.  George W. Bush is the worst President in my life time.  That he was out President on 9/11 will prove to be one of the enduring tragedies of that henious day.

Great article and likewise comments.  I too am saddened by the fact that George W. Bush has so blatently broken the law repeatedly and yet there is no action by Congress.  When did the party, instead of the man, become so important?

I read a lot of Letters to the Editor in numerous newspapers and I get the impression that a lot of people are both worried and outraged. I often thought, as a child, that I would see a revolution and so maybe that is what will have to happen. I like a peaceful environment but without my freedom to think as I choose, what is really left?

This is very funny.  Does anyone believe that if democrats take Congress that they are going to subpoena anyone?  Does anyone think policies in the middle east would change just because democrats take over?  If you believe that then I have some swampland I’d like to sell you.

Reference: ##10227

The comment is right on target! I was in Chu Lai during the Tet and from the after action reports it sure as hell was not OUR victory! Before I went over, those in power (civilian and military alike) were constantly beating that ole drum “we’re fighting them over there so we don’t have to fight them here!” I was naive enough then to take that in stride, but when they sent me back again in ‘73, I started having other thoughts. As it turned out, we now know that war was trumped up on false information and outright lies. (Anyone remember the alleged Tokin Gulf incident and the alleged domino theory?) When we went into Iraq, it was the alleged WMDs and the alleged imminent threat, which has now been successfully repainted to “taking democracy to Iraq.” All you hear is the same sort of fear mongering now as we heard then, which finally resulted in that long granite wall in Arlington. I predict that calls to and from the Decider to Iraq will not make one iota of difference. One wonders if those calls were wiretapped so we could get the REAL essence of what was said!

Retired Vietnam Vet

Iraq today reminds me of the year 1967… all year we heard the same reports, things are turning… than came Tet. and that was the end of it. After Tet, nobody believed that Tet was a great victory.

At this time, after Tet, even the Wall Street Journal reognized the failure and the need to pull out.

But the war contined for four more years.

resulting in 25,000 more soldiers deaths.

Nothing will happen until corporate america makes the decision to disengage. Example, the “wise men” after Tet.

And when we do disengage, the remainging 30% of the true believers will blame it all on the press and we will start the neverending cycle over again. First, attacking countries like grenada and panama, to redeem our honor, followed by larger and larger encounters ‘til we are involved in another major war.

I wish I had been a reporter in that National Restaurant Association convention.  I would have screamed to the top of my lungs, “Mr. President, why it it that everything you told Americans and congress to sell your war on Iraq turned out to be lies?”  Of course, I would have been escorted out and maybe even shot, but my point would have been made.
Where is the incremental progress in Iraq?  Obviously, it belonge to Al Qaeda and other terrorists groups!  Certainly the Iraqis nor our military have benefited.
Iraq’s new prime minister is right.  Iraqis have less freedom than they’ve ever had, thanks to Bush.  Their power is the minority.  Foreign militias control the largest of the country while American troops try to control them.  It is insanity personified and there is no way that Bush can explain it away with more lies!
Right—, Americans have had it up to the eyes with Bush and his squandering billions of tax dollars on a cause that he has lost.  Iraq is suffering but America is suffering, and badly, because of the blindness of our leader.
He has a right to fear the loss of congress and the house in November.  There is no doubt that he will lose.  Rubber-stamping will be all over for him.  His biggest fear is that he will be called to answer for some of his crimes!  To answer to all would require ten years at the least.
There are several impeachment petitions on the Web as I write.  I hear folks moan and groan about the cost and upset imprachment would cause for the country.  Even John Edwards spoke against it on George Stephanopolis’ show last Sunday!  No money EVER spent by the US government could be more worthwhie.  Bush has disgraced our nation in the eyes of us and the world.  He has dismissed our laws and the laws of our constitution as if they never existed.  He has placed himself above the people of his country like a master not to be questioned, when his place as president is to serve the people.  He has earned his place in history as a disgraced president who was cast out by the people!

These are serious times, with serious problems and not many solutions. I have enjoyed Sheer’s positions and viewpoints. I admire his writing skills, but as a yellow dog democrat ( that a Texan who would vote for a yellow dog before a Republican) I would like to see a little less sarcasm and cocktail party retoric. Please understand that we working class liberals are scared and worried about our future..so treat us with respect and try not to talk down to us and give us facts and less of a smart assed gotcha mentality. (Yes I am bored with James Carville and MIcheal Moore and Al Franken, they don’t speak for me or my family. Please take us into consideration

I certainly hope Dubya and his cabal of crooks and liars are held accountable after the Nov. 7 elections ousts those who continually give him a blank check to ignore the laws of America and pad the bank accounts of the war profiteers at the expense of our loved ones.

What ever happened to the idea that the prez and his minions serve at and for the pleasure of ALL “We the People” rather than their base? This is, without a doubt, the worst president in the history of America. Can their wrongs ever be righted and will the world ever look at America again with an iota of respect?

what’s the saying:  “the cover up is harder than the initial lie”?

these neocons are going to go over the cliff rather than speak the truth.

keep up the good work mr. scheer!

Mr. Scheer,
How do we hold an imperial president accountable?  We cannot do it through our elected representatives.  The press will not do it.  Marches and protests do not move him.  Former allies cannot do it.  How?  Letters?  I’ve tried that.  No response.  Blogs?  Tried that.  No change.  He will NEVER be held accountable.  No one will.  America is so over.  Now that everyone has seen what can be done with the stroke of a pen(signing statements), no law can bind the presidency ever again.  90% of the population is so distracted by play pretties and flashy cars that they could not care less about their rights.  The constitution has been thrown out.  All we can hope for is that the republican party will decide to appoint someone a little smarter next ‘election’.  My only hope is that the next city destroyed(in order to be rebuilt by big donor contractors) will not be mine.  Our own federal government is waging war against it’s own citizens in order to fleece them of their wealth.  Interesting times we live in, eh?

Ah, Bobby, Booby, if it where only true that there might be some accountability. But first we have to remember the wishful thinking of an easily manipulated public by both a so-called media and party that has taken propaganda to a fine art. Not to mention an election system so completely corrupted that it would be the envy of any third rate dictator.
We’ve already been disappointed three times and before my cynicism wanes I’m going to have to witness some serious civil disobedience of the likes we haven’t seen in this country for a generation.
But I’ll still bet on our side even if we never come in first.

Bush has turned into a chatty cathy pull string doll; pull the string and you get one of nine pre recorded statements. We should not elect presidents for eight years.  After the first 4 years I am already tired of hearing the same recordings over and over again.

We have reached a turning point
We have reached a turning point
Turning point
Turning point
Turning point

With all of these turns we must be driving around in circles.

Brilliant! Clever! Catchy! Keep it up.

“The pressing test for the ideal of democracy lies not with the Iraqis, who must make their own history, but rather with an awakened U.S. citizenry finally holding its imperial president accountable.”

I agree whole-heartedly with Mr. Scheer. But sadly, our corrupted and degraded national spirit fails at every opportunity.  The acceptance of General Hayden’s nomination in the Senate Intelligence committee with only three dissenting votes is only the latest example.  And yet we are continually treated to puffed-up legislators - Democrats and Republicans - sternly lecturing the Iraqi people that the ball is in their court, and that the problems we’ve caused are now their responsibility.

Anyone waiting for Americans to start acting like grown-ups is wasting their time.

this guy (BUSH) is pathetic.

Now Bush is talking troop reductions.  I wondered, when I read that headline today, how many times since 2003 has he talked about drawing down force levels to under 100,000?  At least twice that I recall.