| PROGRESSIVES' PROBLEMS WITH HILLARY
It is important to determine what kind of priority Hillary Clinton would place on these challenges. One clue may be that this is the same woman who has taken huge sums from vested interests; and she recently voted in favor of the Liebeman-Kyl amendment, thus demonstrating that she is capable of making the same mistake twice: abdicating congressional war-making powers.
Here's what Virginia's Senator Webb had to say about Senators, like Clinton, who supported Cheney's pet Lieberman-Kyl Amendment - which was specifically designed to justify military action against Iran:
"Those who regret their vote five years ago to authorize military action in Iraq should think hard before supporting this approach, because in my view, it has the same potential to do harm where many are seeking to do good. The constant turmoil that these sorts of proposals and actions are bringing to the region is counterproductive. They are regrettable substitute for a failure of diplomacy by this Administration. I do not believe that any serious student of foreign policy could support this amendment as it now exists."
Clinton also waited to see how the Edwards and Obama health care plans would be received before offering her own proposal. If courage had prevailed over caution and political expediency, she would have been out front on both of these important issues. In this regard, Frank Rich observes:
"So far her post-first-lady record suggests a follower rather than a leader. She still can't offer a credible explanation of why she gave President Bush the authority to go to war in Iraq (or why she voted against the Levin amendment that would have put on some diplomatic brakes). That's because her votes had more to do with hedging her political bets than with principle. Nor has she explained why it took her two years of the war going south to start speaking up against it." http://www.nytimes.c...
Certainly there is a place for caution; but caution should be exercised where Hillary often has been incautious. Yet, when bold strokes were needed, she (along with most other members of Congress) either backed off or have remained silent - Impeachment, retroactive immunity for FISA violations, even the ridiculous vote to make flag burning a crime. [There weren't even any instances of flag burning to complain about when Hillary chose to make a big deal out of this issue; her vote was an obvious attempt to pander the right wing!]
LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES
Whether the subject is safety - terrorism, the environment, coal-mine or road collapses - or other issues involving the well being of our citizens - such as education, health or the law (signing statements, unlawful executive orders, politicization of the Justice Department) - it is fair and appropriate to ask: Has Hillary been a leader, a follower, or an enabler of this Administration in these critically important arenas?
If you don't like my list, pick the issues that you care most about; then compare Hillary's record to that of her competitors and decide whether she deserves to be the Democratic standard bearer. I think she fails the test. Let's not be dumb . . .again!
MY LIST:
* RESTORE THE RULE OF LAW
- Hold abusers accountable for ignoring both globally accepted standards (such as The Geneva Conventions) and compromising Constitutional protections of US citizens.
- Eliminate or revise the Military Commissions Act; reinstate habeas corpus.
- Abide by FISA, with no retroactive immunity for government officials or corporations who authorized or spied, illegally, on private citizens.
- Close Guantanamo and shut down extraordinary rendition.
- Hold mercenaries and private contractors to the same standards as the military personnel whose jobs they are doing at premium rates.
- Pursue Congressional investigations into serious abuses by government officials.
- Put Impeachment back on the table where it belongs.
* RETHINK GEO-POLITICAL STRATEGIES
- Assume a leading role in addressing the challenges of global warming and environmental pollution.
- Begin to rebuild global diplomatic relationships; initiate serious negotiations with enemies as well as allies. [Get out of Iraq, and stay out of Iran.]
- Retake a constructive, proactive role in nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
- Work to restore America's former image of responsible, moral leadership.
* REORGANIZE THE DOMESTIC AGENDA
- Demand serious attention to the still-festering aftermath of Katrina.
- Accomplish universal health care and meaningful SCHIP expansion.
- Focus on comprehensive infrastructure evaluation and repair.
- Revisit serious campaign finance legislation.
- Fix or gut No Child Left Behind.
- Reallocate resources to achieve constructive vs. destructive goals.
Oh, and in case I forgot to say it often enough: Let's not be dumb! |
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