House let citizens down with impeachment vote

I would like to issue a reprimand to the 227 members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives who, by voting to table an impeachment vote, failed in their civic duty as our representatives.

In case you are unaware, there is a video of what takes place on the House floor available for viewing on the Internet. By watching the video I can understand that you didn't have time for a vote on impeachment because that day was packed.

There was the Tartan celebration followed by Celtic dancing. A riveting debate on whether children younger than 18 should have to wear helmets while riding a snowmobile.

When you did get around to discussing HR 24, all it amounted to was an hourlong debate not on impeachment, but on whether you should have a vote on impeachment. Also in there was the 1½ hours of free lunches.

Impeachment is not a bad word. It should never be "off the table." When the president oversteps the limits of the executive branch, it is the responsibility of the Congress to use impeachment to restore the checks and balances of our Constitution.

President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and the Department of Justice have overstepped these limits by the removal of habeas corpus, warrantless wiretapping, lying about the war and everything else that state Rep. Betty Hall and her 94 patriots accused them of. The founders of this country fought against exactly what this country has become. They understood that democracy is not easy, and that if citizens are not watchful, democracy will become tyranny.

The president does his will without fear of consequence because impeachment is "off the table" at the federal level. When the federal government fails in its duties, it is the responsibility of the states, local governments and individual citizens to stand up.

Spying on citizens, torture, endless war and perpetual fear are not the America I learned about when I was in school. Those topics were covered in a book I remember called "1984."

So to Rep. Daniel Eaton, Rep. Kris Roberts, Rep. David Hess and the rest of the representatives who failed to stand up for what this country is about, I think you all should resign your positions. Move over and make way for representatives that understand what the Constitution, civic duty and a representative government is all about.

By failing to take up this resolution, you have failed to allow New Hampshire to again be a state that changes the course of this nation.

To Betty Hall, my Rep. David Smith and the 93 others who voted to at least talk about impeachment, count yourselves among the true patriots.

Starting impeachment proceedings now against this president is crucial to the future of our democracy. It would send a message to this president that there are consequences to ignoring the Constitution.

It would also send a message to the next president to be wary of how much he or she pushes the limits of the executive power granted.

The Constitution was written by the founders to defend against tyranny; impeachment is the tool they gave us. I suggest we use it.



Shane Zeman
Nashua

YOU read this week by host Arnie Arnesen