Constitutional Dilema?

I never get tired of reviewing the Constitution of the United States. It is obvious to me that this document was written by men who were steadfast in their resolve to throw off the bonds of imperial power. For instance, the first three articles list the duties of the separate branches of government and it is no coincidence that they begin with the Legislative Branch. I bring this up because of the current “debate” over George W. Bush’s plan to escalate the numbers of American forces in Iraq. Just to review (with certain emphasis provided):

Article I – The Legislative Branch
Section 8 (of 10)

Clause 1:

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

Clause 11:

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

Clause 12:

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

Clause 13:

To provide and maintain a Navy;

Clause 14:

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

Clause 15:

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

Clause 16:

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;


Article II – The Executive Branch

Section 2 (of 4)

Clause 1:

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

It is against this backdrop that I take note of the following from an interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes” and commented on by MSNBC: “Bush says opposition won’t shift his Iraq policy“

” WASHINGTON - Digging in for confrontation, President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney say they will not budge from sending more U.S. troops to Iraq no matter how much Congress opposes it.

“I fully understand they could try to stop me,” Bush said of the Democrat-run Congress. “But I’ve made my decision, and we’re going forward.””

I might suggest that Mr. Bush doesn’t “fully understand” as much as he believes. As a matter of fact, there is this:

” Yet when asked if he owes the Iraqi people an apology for botching the management of the war, he said “Not at all.”
“We liberated that country from a tyrant,” Bush said. “I think the Iraqi people owe the American people a huge debt of gratitude.”

Oh yes; and there is this:

Article I; Section 2; Clause 5:
The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Article I; Section 3; Clause 6:
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Article II; Section 4:
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Some have suggested an impending Constitutional confrontation. I am hoping that someone from this congress remembers this famous quote from George W. Bush, "Bring it On!"

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue