Kucinich - Congress Must Check Raw Power of Executive

[slipslidingaway]

7/25/2002

"Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, when Members of Congress take an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States, that includes defending article I, section 8 which says that only Congress shall have the power to declare war.

The administration is proceeding with plans to invade Iraq, first with an air attack and then with an invasion of 250,000 ground troops. Yet there has been no consultation with this Congress, there has been no debate in this Congress, and there has been no vote in this Congress.

The American constitutional experience relies on a separation of power. It depends upon Congress being willing to check the raw exercise of power by the executive. Wake up, Congress. We are on the verge of a major war in Iraq and the administration is ignoring our Constitution. Wake up, America. Our sons and daughters are about to be called to fight a war in Iraq, without any debate, without any sense of purpose, without any sense of direction, and with grave jeopardy."

http://www.c-spanarchives.org/congress/?q=node/77531&id=8209331

[MuseRider]

1. Keep talking Congressman.

Your fellow congresspeople are not listening but we are.

Thank you.

Edit Oops! Read Iran for Iraq and did not look at the date. Sorry, I spoke to quickly. Hard to tell the difference, it is all working out the same way.

[slipslidingaway]

2. Well he has been trying to temper the war drums against

Iran as well.

Even 6 six years ago it was evident that the Congress needed to assert itself and become a real check on this administration.

I was poking around the archives and found this clip, see this post...

How to use the C-Span Video library

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=308x690

[Time for change]

3. Wouldn't it be great if we had a lot more like him?

[LWolf]

6. Yes.

I've been voting for them whenever they appear on my ballot.

Few ever win. :(

[slipslidingaway]

7. Yes, especially in a position of leadership :) one can dream. n/t

[eridani]

4. More of what we need more of n/t

[dana_b]

5. he's got the foresight and wisdom to speak about it

he's no wack job, conspiracy theorist or whatever the hell some call him. He and Wexler have the guts to speak out and are the ONLY ones with the balls to follow through with it.

[slipslidingaway]

8. Agree, he does not run with the herd when it is running in the wrong

direction.