In the YouTube at right, Bill Moyers, Bruce Fein and John Nichols discuss Presidential power, the need for balance and accountability and impeachment as a potential remedy for excesses and outright violations in Presidential conduct while in office. This is from a show in 2007 — but Bill Moyers did a follow-up in 2008 as well.

Today, the HJC is having a hearing on a number of issues surrounding the Bush Administration’s conduct while in office — and the constitutional responsibilities that Congress must exercise with regard to accountability and restoration of balance of powers. As Caroline Frederickson of the ACLU says:

…Since taking office in 2001, George W. Bush’s administration has been responsible for vastly expanding the role of the executive branch and implementing policies curbing the rights of everyday Americans. Under the Bush regime, Americans have seen their government violate the Fourth Amendment by spying on its citizens without warrants, sanctioning torture, and practicing extraordinary rendition. All the while, members of the administration attempted to game the system and avoid accountability by improperly invoking the state secrets privilege and falsely claiming immunity.

“From signing statements to Guantanamo, the Bush administration has proven to be opportunistic and eager to work at or beyond the boundaries of the law,” Fredrickson said. “It has expanded the role of the executive branch by skirting the law for its own ends and perpetuating a war on our system of checks and balances. Our Constitution does not bend with the whim of whoever sits in the Oval Office. No matter who is in the White House six months from now, there must be a clear commitment to upholding the rule of law.”

Time and time again, we have seen the Bush Administration’s contempt for the rule of law and the other branches of government. So where is the accountability?

Jane recently had a lengthy discussion with Bruce Fein on Bloggingheads.tv about these issues that is well worth a watch. As we slog through today’s HJC hearing, I can’t help but wonder why so much of the more in-depth, constructive conversations and actions about these issues seem to be held outside the halls of power?

(H/T to Crooks and Liars for the YouTube above.)


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