What Else Can President Bush Do?

Al Gore gave a speech today and this caught my eye:

Can it be true that any president really has such powers under our Constitution? If the answer is "yes" then under the theory by which these acts are committed, are there any acts that can on their face be prohibited? If the President has the inherent authority to eavesdrop, imprison citizens on his own declaration, kidnap and torture, then what can't he do?

Bush has outright claimed that he can listen in on American citizens without a warrant, he has already imprisoned Americans indefinitely simply on his say so, and we all know about the torturing. Bush claims we don't torture and he supports a new law that states we will not torture, but at the same time he says he doesn't need to follow that law. It really amazes me that people in this country are so afraid of 'terrorists' that they are willing to give the President such power in the name of 'protecting' them.

Bush says Al Qaeda hates our freedom and wants to take our freedom away from us. Then why is Bush taking away our freedoms? Isn't he doing exactly what he claims the terrorists want?

How long does the President claim he has these extraordinary powers? Why as long as the 'War on Terror' lasts. How long will that war last? Bush has stated 'probably for the rest of our lives'. Well what to hell do we need a congress and a judiciary for then? Maybe Bush should just be President for Life.

There really isn't a hell of lot we can do about this either. The Republican controlled congress has given up its role as an independent and co-equal branch of the government. Democrats haven't done a lot to prevent that. Also, if you disagree with the President on the Iraq War you are a traitor. If you disagree on other issues you will be smeared by the far right wing (see John Murtha).

Mr. Gore ends by saying "I mentioned that along with cause for concern, there is reason for hope. As I stand here today, I am filled with optimism that America is on the eve of a golden age in which the vitality of our democracy will be re-established and will flourish more vibrantly than ever".

I wish I could be as optimistic as he seems to be.