Keizer recommends a general strike. No work, no consumption. A silent, legal protest that hits those in power where it hurts. But what should be the goal of such a thing - who is its target? I suggest a real Contract with America, one that we draft. (And yes, I'm consciously using the name "Contract with America.") Election Day 2007 would be the point of focus, the day on which we demand that our representatives agree to this compact and on which we support those who already have. Here are possible terms, the consideration for which shall be our votes and our getting on again with our daily lives. In other words, you are either for the Contract or you no longer have our support. I'm counting on your help to revise this.
Contract with America, Draft 1
- Restore unequivocally the right of habeas corpus to all those detained by the United States. This does not mean that the exigencies of war must be ignored and full trials given to true, battlefield detainees. The Supreme Court made that clear in the Hamdi case. But there shall be no utterly rights-free zones and no Executive (Royal) power to detain without charge and under whatever conditions for as long as his highness deems fit.
- Strengthen the right of US residents against executive detention. Habeas is not enough. No resident ought to fear being plucked from the streets and absconded to a naval brig, as was Jose Padilla. There shall be no disappearances here. In addition, remove the putative power granted to the Executive to spy on Americans without a warrant.
- Defund completely Cheney's office. Even if Cheney is not immediately impeached for his crimes, he should be denied a staff and the means to do more harm. It is enough constitutionally that the Vice President is left the ability to assume the presidency. As a corollary, David Addington must be fired and barred from public service.
- Bar the use of military force against Iran absent Congressional authorizations. Even if one believes that the President has some authority to launch major combat operations without a declaration of war from Congress, this President has demonstrated such gross incompetence in the use of our military that Congress should affirmatively bar him from using it further. Agree to be willing quickly to grant an emergency authorization if needed to protect vital national security interests.
- No more Friedman Units. No politician agreeing to this Compact is permitted to tell us that we should wait for six or nine more months before evaluating and taking concrete action to end the involvement of the United States in Iraq. Our incalculably tragic errors of judgment have led us to this point, imposing unneeded suffering on the Iraqi people. We have a moral duty to help them in any way we can. But fighting to "win," in the vaguest of hopes that the Boy King will somehow manage to rescue his legacy, is not a plan.
- Begin impeachment proceedings against the President. It matters not whether he is removed from office immediately, the last day of his presidency, or not at all. There is more than enough evidence of abuse of power to justify an impeachment inquiry. Not beginning the process is a dereliction of congressional duty.
In snappier form, we'd have:
- Restore the right of habeas corpus.
- Protect the people against arbitrary detention, arrest, and spying.
- Defund the office of Dick Cheney, incapacitating him from making a further mess of the rule of law and our national interests.
- Require the approval of Congress before attacking another nation.
- Stop lying about Iraq. No more "wait and see."
- Do your duty and begin an impeachment inquiry against the President.
I'm open for suggestions.
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