The Argument Against Impeachment

 

Impeach. This is a word which has been used and abused several times since the Constitution of the United States was ratified in 1789. So that we all understand its meaning, to impeach someone, from a dogcatcher to the President, does NOT mean to remove him or her from office. Instead, it means to blame, castigate, condemn, criticize, damn, denounce, indict, cite, prosecute, arraign, implicate, and reprove, among many other words. Then, a trial follows where evidence is introduced.

 According to our Constitution, the process of impeachment is two-fold. First, the House of Representatives hears arguments for and against, for example, the President, giving testimony where "Bribery, Treason, or other High Crimes and Misdemeanors" is introduced. The House acts comparably to a Grand Jury in a criminal case. Then, as long as 50% plus one of the Members present vote to impeach, Articles of Impeachment are referred to the Senate for disposition and trial. Then, if the accused is found guilty, by a 2/3 (67 Senators) majority, he or she is immediately removed from office.

 In all cases thus far in American History, no President has been found guilty and removed, and only one resigned as he believed he would not survive a Senate trial.

 Also, history has revealed that in each case, Articles were drawn up by the opposing party in power, not the party of the sitting President. Ultimately, in each case, it was a political difference which caused the impeachment, not Bribery, Treason or the still undefined High Crimes and Misdemeanors. This makes impeachment a political remedy, not a criminal one.

 Johnson, Clinton, Trump (2X) and even Nixon did something that the opposition party did not like. As history has shown us, the accusers were all guilty of the same things in varying degrees but held the power to point a finger to the impeached person. And away from themselves.

Now, it appears that the Republicans are readying Articles of Impeachment against Biden. Why? Because the Democrats did it to Trump. A revenge play? Hypocrisy abounds in both parties. Virtually every Member of the Congress is guilty of being on the take, whether from corporations, foreign entities or other “political contributions”. While they may have been elected on a shoestring, each member is a millionaire within their first term.

 In reality, the process of impeachment takes away a basic fundamental right to Americans: The right to vote out those who act in a fashion unbecoming of the office. And the media is no better. It collectively chooses sides and presents the view it favors. Here is bulletin for everyone: There are no journalists anymore who claim that journalism is their profession. Instead, they are press agents for their current hero, spewing talking points to advance their side’s arguments.

 So to sum up, I abhor impeachment because it is nothing more than a political remedy to attempt to remove one’s opponent. And as for expunging impeachment records, if this House wishes to expunge Trump’s impeachment, then it must expunge Clinton’s and Johnson’s, too, for the same reason. And by the way, since expungement is not Constitutionally mentioned or defined, then Rep McCarthy, et.al., need to sit down and shut up on this issue.

 Finally, the Congress needs to better define the term “High Crimes and Misdemeanors”, or this political gamesmanship will continue with each change in the makeup of the Congress and successive Presidents.

 How much more harm can our politicians of all parties foist upon our country until we become no better than China, Russia, or any one of the many banana republics which exist in this world?