Reply #41: What is stopping us? a)The Constitution. b) The Army... [View All]

[regnaD kciN]

Like it or not, the Constitution gives Bush broad powers as Commander-in-Chief. Once Congress has authorized military action (thank you, all you Congressional Dems who voted for the IWR :grr: ), the C-in-C has almost unchecked power as to how to carry it out. And even without Congressional approval at all, the President has the authority to use the military pretty much any way he or she wants, at least for a limited amount of time. (And hold that "limited" -- once the bullets start flying, I've never seen Congress deny a President the war authority he desired.)

Also, the Constitution provides for a fixed-length term with no provisions for ending a term prematurely except for impeachment (which requires both criminal grounds to get an impeachment and a nearly-impossible-to-achieve 67% supermajority to gain a conviction). There is no provision, such as a vote of no confidence or a recall election, to replace a disastrous administration before its term is up.

Finally, as long as the military remains loyal to either a) the current President or b) the Constitution, they're not going to stand by idly while a President is removed by force (which is the only alternative left when the Constitution gives you no such grounds). And, despite the best efforts of the NRA, they've got a lot more weaponry that we do.