King George

With his recess appointment of John Bolton as US Ambassador to the United Nations, George W. Bush has yet again demonstrated arrogance comparable only to Richard Nixon in recent memory. Even Ronald Ray-gun showed more respect for the institutions of government and the Constitution. We should never forget that the most extreme of Ray-gun's programs were approved and implemented by a majority Democrat Congress. In George Bush's America however, the Office of the President is more akin to a monarchy than to any co-equal branch of government.

Nowhere is this more evident than in his relationship with The US Senate. In exercising its constitutional role of advice and consent, this senate has confirmed the overwhelming majority of nominees submitted by Mr. Bush to judicial and cabinet posts; only withholding appointment of the most extreme and controversial of his nominees. This senate has approved cabinet appointments that have lied to send the country into military conflict, expressed disdain for human decency and the rule of law, and are even suspected of war crimes. Yet to George W. Bush, like the schoolyard bully, any failure to deliver what he wants is unacceptable. In the days after the 2004 election, Bush said he would reach across party lines and seek compromise. The refusal to recommend Senate approval of John Bolton was bi-partisan. The Bush compromise was a recess appointment which sends further signals to the world that, once again in America, King George rules.

Chad (The Left) Shue