Editorial: Adding a new meaning to precedent

Ever since 2001, we have repeatedly heard the phrase, "This is unprecedented," like a broken record.  But just think to yourself: 20 years from now  -- when another power-hungry attorney general lies to Congress, or another lawless president misleads the country into war -- allies of the administration can say with a straight face, "Nothing that the president is doing is unprecedented.  It all happened during the Bush years."

That is why 'no confidence' votes like the one yesterday do matter.  When you fail to hold public officials accountable for abusing their power, you set a disturbing precedent for the next generation that this kind of public corruption is acceptable.  So you really have to think long and hard -- what kinds of lessons should we teach next generation's politicians, so that they know there are penalties for not behaving responsibly and ethically?

This is not idealism -- it is realism.  Whether in school, work or at home, most people strive to meet certain expectations.  When those expectations are lowered, it can impact performance.  The worry is that all the corruption and destructive incompetence this decade will lower the bar for the future. 

The thwarting of yesterday's 'no confidence' vote of Alberto Gonzales left another dark imprint on everything that America used to stand for, and reinforced the kind of anything-goes ethics that we have witnessed over the last six and a half years.

Comments

[Project Vote Smart]

For more information on the “Attorney General No Confidence Vote” please visit Project Vote Smart’s Summary of the Vote or call our hotline at 1-888-VOTE-SMART.

[George]

vote smart is flirting with spam.

[granny]

Well said, Editor Todd; and that is precisely why I advocate impeachment proceedings: for President, Vice President - Rumsfeld got away, we have to go after him on criminal charges - as well as the Attorney General. How could it be otherwise, and still maintain that we stand for the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence?

How could it be otherwise and Congress still maintain that they are doing their job, which is to see to it that the system of checks and balances is enforced, and that those very documents are protected and upheld?

Sometimes it feels as if everybody's just gone home... Nobody there anymore...just let 'er rip!