King George and the U.S. of A(T&T)

It's official. One-President-one-vote. Granting immunity to telephone companies illegally spying on Americans is far worse than business-as-usual, which is that corporations win. In this legislation (FISA), the U.S. Congress, with obscene complicity of majority Democrats, has effectively elevated the U.S. President to absolute Monarch. Magna Carta itself is defiled. If the president says it's legal, it's legal. Shame.

You remember Magna Carta. It's the one Winston Churchill called "...a law which is above the King and which even he must not break." In yielding sole authority to a single person (aka "the president") to determine what is lawful, these ersatz representatives of the sovereign American people have effectively said that the President above the law. Indeed, he makes the law. And is beyond the reach of our Constitutionally enshrined freedoms.

With this Congressional absolution of corporate crimes, Congress has inflicted a terrible wound to our most cherished freedoms. It doesn't even have the excuse that it's controlled by the sitting president's political party. Democrats and Republicans alike have egregiously violated The People's trust with this abomination.

Every member Congress who voted to give the telephone companies a free pass on illegally invading the privacy of the American people needs to take a long hard look in the mirror. I want to say, "Check in with your very guilty conscience, question the condition of your soul." But I know better. That's not what really counts here. So let's put it this way. "Look in that mirror and ask, 'What do I want to happen the next time I stand for election?'"

Fall elections cannot come soon enough for me to put my outrage to work in active response to this double betrayal. Large corporations -- once again -- can celebrate the fact that they have so flagrantly abused us as citizens and freedom-loving people. It's well past time to demonstrate who is sovereign in this nation.

History tells us that Federalist control of the executive branch ended with Adams' defeat by Jefferson in 1800, that the "high" or "ultra"-Federalists lost their struggle to keep us from ruling ourselves. But these monarchists never went away. Today's ultra-Federalists talk about the "Unitary Executive" who can do what he will. A majority in Congress seem to agree, especially when amply rewarded to do so. And, the third branch? Beware of the judiciary as well. The four "Originalists" on today's Supreme Court walk, talk and quack like high federalist.

Though not quite as effective as advertised, I still think Magna Carta was a step forward. Restricting the power of kings was a good idea 800 years ago. It still is. Better yet, how about a Constitution which assigns sovereignty to the people?

When justifying the sacrifice of lives at Gettysburg and in the entire American Civil War, Lincoln eloquently stated that the essential point: the key American experiment is that government of, by and for the people shall NOT perish from the earth. Isn't it long past time to honor the United States' Constitution which explicitly assigns sovereignty to the people, not to an individual nor to corporations?

You'll find many important voices speaking up in defense of democracy on our "Paula Gordon Show" website website. Good places to start are our Conversation with:

Edward J. Larson, whose Magnificent Catastrophe documents the ceaseless struggle in America to protect ourselves from closet-monarchists;

Robert A.G. Monks describes the damage "Corpocracy" is doing to our economy and our democracy;

Doris Kearns Goodwin tells of that rare combination among American presidents of a deep commitment to democracy allied with integrity and great political skill;

John Dean is deeply informed and pungently damning in his critiques of his former party, its betrayal of democracy's most sacred principles, and it's magical thinking about "originalism" and a "Unitary Presidency." Mr. Dean puts it this way: American don't like being suckered. Giving a "pass" to corporations who knowingly break the law, and to a President who prompts them to do so then covers for them because he puts himself ABOVE the law is a sucker deal.

Comments

[FullChat]

Everyone seems to be missing the Big Point...

The telecoms were wired to the NSA in March, 2001 - six months BEFORE 9/11.

This bill is the coverup for massive illegal spying on the American people for political reasons. Terrorism wasn't on the country's radar at the time... (Bush told the CIA agent who briefed him in August 2001 about Bin Laden's plans to attack inside the US - "You've covered your ass - now get out of here")

Why do we have FISA?
Nixon. Hoover. The ones who spied on the American people before, that's why we have FISA!

Also keep in mind that a lot of this stuff isn't bad.
A data warehouse of who called who and emailed who will be invaluable as we search for terrorists, but doesn't invade anyone's privacy.

[wondering]

If you haven't yet seen it (or if it's been a long time) check out the brilliant late 60's spy spoof "The President's Analyst" starring James Coburn. The final scene in which the power of the telephone company is revealed (Ma Bell at the time) will explain all.

A quote from the movie: "Are you trying to tell me every phone in the country is tapped?"

By the way, has there ever been a better faux spy than James Coburn? With the Flint movies, and this one, he makes Mike Myers look silly indeed.

[Peteyman]

The fact that this bill is even alive right now, instead of being struck down as unconstitutional, shows me how far the US has fallen. This is not the friggin 50's people!! Like John Dean said, "The American people do not like to be suckered." I know I don't like to be suckered, ESPECIALLY, by my own government.

On the other hand, I now feel sorry for former President Clinton. How is it that he can be impeached for lying about a BJ, and yet, Bush can lie to Congress, lie to the American people, and piss on the constitution, yet, he gets away with it? What is it going to take to show Americans that their government does not belong to corporations and the corrupt? Is it going to take a war with Iran to show them this? I don't want a war with Iran, I want a friggin' constitution. I want those criminals out of there. There is plenty of evidence and a case to impeach Bush, Cheney, and Rove.

(I swear, if this comment does not get on the HuffPo, I will be angry)

[dexxjones]

"very member Congress who voted to give the telephone companies a free pass on illegally invading the privacy of the American people needs to take a long hard look in the mirror. "

after they have been fired/replaced they will have plenty of time to look in the mirror. this issue is pissing off a lot of people. the dlc democrats need TO GO.

[bgregs]

I hope that the ALCU or some other organization challenges the Constitutionality of this (assuming that the courts don't throw it out based on no evidence of harm!!!!!!!!) considering that the 4th Amendment to the Constitution specifically states:

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

which means that you need a warrant, NO MATTER WHAT!!! In fact, the very FISA law in the first place has some Constitutional questions, since it allowed the US govt to place a wiretap and then ask three days later. This one is even worse, since it opens the door for the president (little tiny worm that he is!!) to decide that whatever he wants is legal, even if it violates the CONSTITUTION!!!!

[elderly]

And you expect THIS supreme court to do what when faced with a challenge to this "law"?

[bgregs]

I don't honestly know. I have hopes, but I can't say for sure that they will stand up for the Constitution. Maybe if it gets to them AFTER the election they will see the winds of change for what they are, and maybe, just maybe they will do their damn jobs!!!