Clinton should hang in there. He should not resign. The stakes for our democracy are too high and the crime too petty to merit impeachment.
Impeachment is a serious matter. It means overturning the results of an election, one of democracy's sacraments, in which 49.24% of the electorate voted for Bill Clinton, 40.71% for Robert Dole, and 8.4 for Ross Perot.
Others on this tread, Constitutional lawyers, and the President's own rebuttal have discussed the Founder's intention on the impeachment clause in our constitution. There is another important reason not to slap down the result of a democratic election, is risks greater evils:
If Congress overturns an election over lies about a sexual matter, it will discredit, not only the Presidency, but all institutions of our democracy. When people lose faith in their democratic institutions, then they have turned to undemocratic movements, in the past.
Between the world wars, the continental European democracies lost faith in their parliaments. They turned in disgust and even hatred from them, seeing them as expensive and as unnecessary institutions.
Groups arose that claimed to be above party and class interests. These groups seemed more competent, more sincere, and more concerned with public affairs. A cry arose for a party above all parties. Groups, both religious and stateless minorities were singled out upon whom was focused increased hatred to mark them for eventual destruction.
We know that such movements were completed with the rise of fascism in Italy, Nazism in Germany and growth of its numerous supporters in other continental European nations throughout its remaining democratic institutions and parliaments. Each group thought a dictator (such as Hitler) would choose to rule in their own interest. German businessmen thought this, that Hitler would rule in their interest and to the disadvantage of all others.
Eventually Hitler did win power (yes he was elected) in Germany. Then Hilter (through true "High Crimes and Misdemeanors", not lies about a sexual matter) destroyed all democratic processes, and, in the space of one week, ended everyone's civil rights and basic freedoms. The fruit of this poison was eventually visited upon millions. So it may be said, that the weakening of democratic institutions led to War World II, in my opinion.
Let us hope that our Congress decides judiciously over the next 6 - 8 months as it investigates the Starr report and sees it as an over zealous report, dripping with poison for our democracy. Spending this time, in itself, will enfeeble our Congress by giving the impression that is is unable to see the forest for the trees.
Let us hope that at the end of its examination, Congress resolves to end the Special Prosecutor law. It will be an expensive lesson, but worthwhile, if the unconstitutional (IHMO) Special Prosecutor law is tossed into the dust bin of history. |
