Package sent, with letter in it

[nadinbrzezinski]

Personal data removed

President Barack Obama.
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
Washington D.C., DC 20500-0004

Mr. President:

I am contacting you because of many issues that have bothered both my husband and I for a while. If the truth is to be told the compromise with the Republicans over the tax breaks for the wealthy was the last straw for us, and why we are returning to you the memorabilia. We believed in you, but not anymore.

I know I could just do that, and leave it at that, but instead I feel I need to add something to the conversation. Sadly, it does not matter what the People want, there are no real changes. That said I understand some of the systemic reasons why. So with no further…

I understand that we are living through a very serious Constitutional Crisis in the US. This is the worst political warfare we have seen since 1859. I do not believe I need to remind you what came next. But the reality is that you will not be able to get much done, and it is time to realize this. This is about the future of the country. It is that simple. We have two different views of this. On the one hand the party of special interests, who make no bones about their goals. They want to return the US to 1928 and finally reverse the horrors of the New Deal. I suspect that your agreement on Social Security will make that goal far more achievable now. Yes, Grover Norquist is succeding in drowning the government in the bathtub.

At this point though I have no idea what your party stands for. I used to believe it stood for the working man, and against the same special interest that are part of the GOP. It seems to me that the Special Interests have convinced the rest of the political class that theirs is the only way.

Of course there is this extremely disconnect from the base that got you and others elected. We get lectured regularly, while promises are broken. We have nowhere to go. Well, US History is also instructive on this. Sooner or later, and I am betting at this point sooner, the left will once again engage in movement politics. They will learn the great lesson of Goldwater, and it is no coincidence that the Conservative movement politics is just now reaching its zenith, while the left seems paralyzed. The left was “destroyed” between 1968 and 1972. Sooner, rather than later, that same group will realize that the future is not with charismatic leaders, but with hard work. At this point I should tell you that the first time I voted was in Mexico. Back then we knew that it really didn’t matter who was elected. The elites made their mind, and nothing would change that. We have reached the same point in the US.

We have also reached that political warfare where you will not be able to get anything done. It is on purpose, and the faster you realize this, the better. They don’t like you and they do not want to negotiate with you. This is why the Republicans took workers and the unemployed hostage, and you Sir, just negotiated with terrorists.

Myths and the Economy.

There is more, DC has been overtaken by economic myths. And you Sir are functioning in this mythology. So here is my effort at dismantling some of this, suffice it to say, I have no hope of succeeding.

The Rich create jobs, why we have to keep lowering their taxes:

It would almost be funny if it wasn’t tragic. This has been the mantra of the last ten years. In fact, the last thirty years saw the rise of supply side economics and disaster capitalism. Now perhaps I am living in an alternate reality, but the Bush years saw pretty anemic economic growth. Yet, there were tax cuts for the very wealthy.

So what creates jobs? As a former small business owner I have the real answer. DEMAND. If nobody buys my product, I will not hire people to produce it. Yes, it is that simple… demand needs to be created. And more tax cuts will not create demand. Fact is that supply side economics was a disaster for President U.S Grant, for President Hoover, for President Reagan, and yes for President Bush Junior. You expect this to change on your watch? I really don’t, and this will become the American Lost Decade.

This brings me to tax cuts. They do not create jobs. Again this is trickledown economics, supply side. The Historic Evidence is overwhelming Sir. The people know they are being peed upon, and that is not rain.

Unions, we are told by the Republicans, are bad for the United States. They have been fighting to destroy them since oh Taft Hartley. It is time to wake and smell the roses, good jobs create demand. Living wages create demand. This is the true engine of economic growth. People living in a service economy, with minimum wages, do not have money to do more than just buy the basics. You want demand, you need good wages.

Free trade is not that free. Believe it or not other countries still defend their basic economic health. We don’t. People at the kitchen table get it. Their jobs are going abroad. They may not get the why, or how, or the basis of the arguments for this. They know that they have gone from being able to make the mortgage to not being able to. It is time to stop these free trade agreements, and to return to a more protective economy. Either extreme is not good for economic health. And we are living through an almost religious belief in “market economics.” For god sakes not even Adam Smith believed in this tripe and he understood the need to protect internal markets.

Finally Globalization has been a disaster, not just in the US, but this race to the bottom needs to stop. This is literally killing the American economy by a thousand cuts. It is time to revise what is obviously not working.

Empire in Decline…

Now this brings me to a reality of the new world order. The American Century is over. We just need to wake up to that final reality. But the Empire is in decline. It is time for you Sir to show leadership and explain to a very ignorant people, at times willfully so, why we are no longer number one.

There are markers we have crossed on the way to decline already. It does not matter if one uses Gibbon’s Rise and Fall, or Kennedy’s Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, truth is we are no longer top dog. Professor Kennedy made the point in the book that the most important marker for modern powers is steel production. We stopped making this a matter of national security back in the 1980s, and now China out-produces us. We stopped doing something back then that we need to return to. This is to have a coherent industrial policy. This might even mean tariffs at the border to protect essential industries.

This also brings us to the other critical matter. That is the fact that globalization has encouraged US Companies to leave for points south or east, and we have encouraged this self defeating policy with tax policy that rewards companies for taking operations abroad. That has to stop, period.

Now on to the Afghanistan War. At this point we can no longer afford it. It is indeed where Empires go to die. Yes, you may consider this an essential war, but reality is that whatever the goal of the week is, they keep shifting. Why? They cannot be achieved. This is a country in our imagination. Those of us who have been paying attention know this. Afghanistan is a clan based society and building a modern state is an fool’s errand.

Of course the mission could and should have ended at Tora Bora. Not everybody in this country spends evenings watching Dancing with the Stars. Some of us actually pay attention, and you might be familiar with the Atlantic Article on the Battle of Tora Bora. But since it did not end then, it has become an unfounded war that has bankrupted the country. Lyndon Johnson learned that you cannot both fund guns and butter. Well, we have gone down the trap laid by Norquist, were we will not be able to afford either.

Other nations know that we are no longer the strong super power. This is why alliances are already shifting. This is also why talk of replacing the Reserve Currency is happening and increasing in volume. In other words the world is changing like shifting sands.

As a leader you need to recognize that it is time to prepare this country for the eventual point when it will be official. We are a second tier power. We also need to recall troops first from Afghanistan, and Iraq, but also from NATO. And we also need to quite frankly cut down programs DOD does not want, the Osprey comes to mind. Chiefly we need to stop funding our wars using mercenary troops. We also need to face facts and realize that this happens to all Empires, and all mythical believes in Exceptionalism will not change that.

Sincerely yours,

Nadin XXXX.
MA in History, San Diego State University.

PS. Your deal with the Republicans was a pyrrhic victory.

-----------------------------------

Feel free to use if you want... but this is time to grow up... and realize NOBODY represents us...

As I said in the letter, it really does not matter who you vote for. Time for some good ol' fashioned movement politics.

[Mimosa]

1. "This might even mean tariffs at the border to protect essential industries. "

China won't let us do it. We owe them money...he who pays the piper calls the tune.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Actually it is not china

it is the american businesses that own the establishment.

THEY don't want that. It would mean... I don't know... good wages. We can't have that.

[snappyturtle]

4. Yes you're correct that we owe them money BUT they need the American marketplace.

India can't buy all of the crap they make. imho

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. India and China are becoming an interesting alliance

and quite frankly China, as the next super power, can afford to let go of the American Market. That is a reality that our leaders need to quite frankly, be adults and explain this to the American People.

[snappyturtle]

14. I'm not so certain.....I do think Americans need to wake up to the

fact that our super power status is slipping away bit by bit.

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. It is already gone

the only thing missing is for the ink to dry as it were.

[snappyturtle]

37. I suppose so. nt

[SlimJimmy]

64. I disagree. China still needs the US market, and will for the foreseeable future.

There is not enough demand in other countries/markets to make up the loss at this point. Although, we might see that shift in five or ten years.

... quite frankly China, as the next super power, can afford to let go of the American Market.

[truedelphi]

33. It is no accident that the "Supply Side Economics" philosophy

never ever mentioned the word "tariffs."

What it focused on, as a paramount virtue, was the supply of cheap goods.

You can read pages of Supply Side theory and never even see the word "jobs" mentioned.

[lunatica]

3. This is a great letter! I hope someone in the White House reads it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Feel free to use it by the way

and I hope they get a LOT of stuff back... that be great.

I sent them back the T-shirt (in pristine condition I was saving it for nephews when they'd be old enough to get it) and a mug with his photo I got at 7-11... one of my most practical mugs... save for that photo.

I could not find the photo... when I find it, well it is going back too.

[Indepatriot]

41. I started a Facebook group called

"Your Shirt, Mr. President" to encourage others to send back their stuff, I sent mine to the DNC. I urge all progressives to join in this lil wake-up call to The President and the Democrats.

[jtown1123]

60. The link for this group?

[nadinbrzezinski]

62. Good for ya... I really do not have a facebook account

WTG

[Whisp]

5. o geeze, another Goodbye Cruel Last Straw post.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Who said I am leaving? Just not behind this guy

It is called MOVEMENT POLITICS... get familiar with it.

Oh and HE deserves the pile on.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Dr.Phool]

44. I think they're wishing you're leaving.

Please stay.

Helluva good post.

Kick and Rec.

[nadinbrzezinski]

63. I am not going anywhere

But I fear a few people are having some issues with this shall we call it, what is it, open revolt.

I think people have had it.

[Whisp]

6. deleted dupe

[SidDithers]

9. Why didn't you just give him a pink slip...

you know, him being your employee and all.

Sid

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. You still do not understand that they work for us, do you?

and if he is not careful, he is going to get one.

[SidDithers]

12. What I think is that you don't understand the empolyee - employer relationship...nt

Sid

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. Please, you think I work for him?

WOW... I did not know that.. when did I become a WH staffer?

Please READ the FUCKING CONSTITUTION, start with the DAMN PREAMBLE... something about WE THE PEOPLE.

Now off to the fucking ignore list you go....

[SidDithers]

18. Logic fail...nt

Sid

[TBF]

52. The only logic failing is your own Sid Dithers. nt

[SidDithers]

69. Just because he doesn't work for you...

doesn't mean that you work for him.

Me: Obama's not your employee
nb: Please! You think I work for him?

That's absolutely a logic fail.

Sid

[FrenchieCat]

19. It is a four year contract.........

You read the constitution!

Section 1 - The Legislature

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Section 2 - The House

The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

(Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.) (The previous sentence in parentheses was modified by the 14th Amendment, section 2.) The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five and Georgia three.

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.


Section 3 - The Senate

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, (chosen by the Legislature thereof,) (The preceding words in parentheses superseded by 17th Amendment, section 1.) for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; (and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.) (The preceding words in parentheses were superseded by the 17th Amendment, section 2.)

No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.

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.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.



Section 4 - Elections, Meetings

The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Place of Chusing Senators.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall (be on the first Monday in December,) (The preceding words in parentheses were superseded by the 20th Amendment, section 2.) unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

Section 5 - Membership, Rules, Journals, Adjournment

Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two-thirds, expel a Member.

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

Section 6 - Compensation

(The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.) (The preceding words in parentheses were modified by the 27th Amendment.) They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.




Section 7 - Revenue Bills, Legislative Process, Presidential Veto

All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.




Section 8 - Powers of Congress

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

To borrow money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and Post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;

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

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

To provide and maintain a Navy;

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

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

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;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.



Section 9 - Limits on Congress

The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.


Article II - The Executive Branch Note
Section 1 - The President

The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice-President chosen for the same Term, be elected

not hired, as follows:

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

(The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not lie an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; a quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two-thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice-President.) (This clause in parentheses was superseded by the 12th Amendment.)

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

(In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.) (This clause in parentheses has been modified by the 20th and 25th Amendments.)

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Section 2 - Civilian Power over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments

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 Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

Section 3 - State of the Union, Convening Congress

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

Section 4 - Disqualification

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.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Article III - The Judicial Branch Note
Section 1 - Judicial powers

The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

Section 2 - Trial by Jury, Original Jurisdiction, Jury Trials

(The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority; to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls; to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction; to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party; to Controversies between two or more States; between a State and Citizens of another State; between Citizens of different States; between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.) (This section in parentheses is modified by the 11th Amendment.)

In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.

The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.

Section 3 - Treason Note

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

The Congress shall have power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.


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Article IV - The States
Section 1 - Each State to Honor all others

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

Section 2 - State citizens, Extradition

The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.

A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.

(No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, But shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.) (This clause in parentheses is superseded by the 13th Amendment.)

Section 3 - New States

New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

Section 4 - Republican government

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.


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Article V - Amendment Note1 - Note2 - Note3
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Article VI - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Article VII - Ratification Documents
The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.


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Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth. In Witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names. Note

Go Washington - President and deputy from Virginia

New Hampshire - John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman

Massachusetts - Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King

Connecticut - Wm Saml Johnson, Roger Sherman

New York - Alexander Hamilton

New Jersey - Wil Livingston, David Brearley, Wm Paterson, Jona. Dayton

Pensylvania - B Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robt Morris, Geo. Clymer, Thos FitzSimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, Gouv Morris

Delaware - Geo. Read, Gunning Bedford jun, John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, Jaco. Broom

Maryland - James McHenry, Dan of St Tho Jenifer, Danl Carroll

Virginia - John Blair, James Madison Jr.

North Carolina - Wm Blount, Richd Dobbs Spaight, Hu Williamson

South Carolina - J. Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler

Georgia - William Few, Abr Baldwin

Attest: William Jackson, Secretary
http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. He is STILL my employee

and yours and I am allowed to make my displeasure more than well understood.

Apparently we are not...

When was that added to the Constitution? I am sure a few folks on both sides (when their guy is in) would love to add such an amendment. I mean that way we can force the critics to shut up.

Now if this was a king.... alas we do not elect kings. SO this cult of personality needs to get fucking scrapped.

[FrenchieCat]

22. You can't fire him right in the moment, so he's not really your employee.......

you don't get to tell him what time to punch in and what time to punch out.

You don't even get to fire him whenever you want.

As for the cult of personality....I see many cults here...
some are Kucinich Cults, some are Dean Cults, some are Wikileak worshiping Cults,
some worship Thom Hartmann, etc...,

and then I see folks who have respect who can agree to
disagree without stomping their feet,
and don't pretend to have forgotten everything they
previously knew about politics in order to hang out with the kool kids,
so they can get the recs and feel important and shit.....


If you believe that there is a servant-master relationship
that is an individual one with this President, than I cannot help you.

[nadinbrzezinski]

23. And if you believe we should not be critical here

TR on criticism. ... To announce that there must be no criticism of the president... is morally treasonable to the American public.

If you want to engage in this form of treason, be my guest. But I WILL CONTINUE TO BE CRITICAL OF MY EMPLOYEE, WHETHER YOU APPROVE OR NOT. UNDERSTOOD

There is more, it will only get louder. In fact, it already has.

I guess we all critics should report to a reeducation camp....

[SidDithers]

31. Wow. Now it's a "form of treason"?...nt

Sid

[saracat]

34. Actually we can fire him if we want, through our House of Representatives.

He CAN be removed from office. Your reasoning about the employer/employee relationship is bizarre. Using your reasoning, anyone with a four year "contract" isn't an employee. All previous presidents were considered servants of the people. This one is no different. And BTW, previous presidents, esp George Washington were actually "proud" to be called so.

[CakeGrrl]

50. Well, quick - hop on the horn to Darrell Issa and see if he can't expedite that for you!

:crazy:

[PufPuf23]

35. The People can fire the POTUS if our Representative democratic republic was not broken

Our Representatives in the House would impeach and our Representatives in the Senate would convict.

However, our democracy is broken as well as our rule of law. Once unpleasant surprise for me is that our rule of law has not been revived post GWB.

I am not suggesting POTUS Obama be impeached so be calm.

I supported POTUS Obama (lost friendships and gave money and etc.) and cried when he was elected. I have campaigned Democrat since LBJ/Humphrey (card table in front of the local market with campaign materials, McCarthy then RFK in 68 and was first old enough to vote for McGovern in 72. Most incremental change under POTUS Obama has been in the wrong direction. He made neo-liberal and GOP appointments and has insulted post-FDR democratic principles and many of the kaleidescope of groups that are the democratic party. He admitted today in the presser he was buying time and I would say poorly as POTUS Obama could have fought war in DC to Christmas. These policy issues should have been solved long ago and istead we got health insurance reform kabuki.

POTUS has been contrary to "We the People" as perceived and post-FDR democratic principals and is a heartbreaking failure, if not insulting, to many of us. I doubt Obama's integrity now unfortunately.

I would like him to fight selflessly for what he claims to support and for the good of "We the People" for the next two years even if nothing happens and he consistently loses so what? The present strategy is regressive and institutionalizing what a free and fair society does not want in increments. At some point Obama should pull an LBJ is my hope. Why? POTUS Obama has hurt the Democratic Brand. Many of us were Democrats when Obama was a child. Many youthful and minority group supporters from 2008 are disillusioned. Aside: I am happy with pols from votes in California. I won't support DiFI in the future as in the past but may vote for her as that is politics.

To compare the disatisfied liberals with tea party is a logical fallacy. Compare as far as democraphic in education; education that was broader in scope / mind expanding for those in the 60s and 70s than the regressive status quo of institutionalizing ignorance by federal funds paying for narrower and less independent thinking at a cost that often means debt slavery.

[defendandprotect]

40. "Should Obama announce that he is stepping down in 2012?" Thom Hartmann....

That was his question the other day ---

At some point Obama should pull an LBJ is my hope.

Why? POTUS Obama has hurt the Democratic Brand.

And also agree with the way you've put it --

My answer is YES!!

[nadinbrzezinski]

38. To the both of you

thanks for getting it.

:-)

By the way under a very twisted logic they are correct in saying that he is not MY employee... just not for the reasons they think...

A lovely corruption and special interests in DC...

[sabrina 1]

42. The president has a four year contract with the American people.

I when I work for a private school, eg, have a one year contract, or three years if they decide they want the continuity and they like my work. I am still their EMPLOYEE. They pay me, that makes them my employer. However because of the contract, they would have a hard time firing me unless I violate the contract.

So, since I am unlikely to do that, they are stuck with me for three years. After that, they can fire me.

We can fire the politicians we hire, by not renewing their contracts. As things are going now, this president doesn't seem to want to renew his contract and more and more of those who supported him, are looking for another employee to do the job.

He constantly tells us he just can't get things done the way he/we want. Well, that's just not good enough. Not to mention the fact that many don't believe him. Many believe he's doing exactly what he wants, for those who he seems to think of his real bosses, that would be Wall St. and Big Business. Maybe it's living in the bubble of DC, but he has forgotten who actually hired him and has nothing but negative things and lectures to deliver to them each time he caves to Republicans without even a fight.

You know I could forgive someone who puts up a fight, but when you go to the table and start negotiating from the 'compromise' you get even less than that. He has never started with the top priority and worked down from there. He starts from where he thinks Republicans will want to start from.

Enough already. This is not about him. He'll be fine, he'll be rewarded for his efforts on behalf of Corporate America and won't ever have to worry about his family. This is about all those other families, who have no future security for themselves and their children.

Focusing on a single politician is dangerous to the welfare of this country. When they stop working for us, we stop hiring them, that's how politics works.

[Dr.Phool]

48. You can terminate the contract WITH CAUSE.

[TBF]

53. Yup, and that may yet happen. This president is serving no one but Warren Buffett. nt

[Dr.Phool]

47. Are you saying that we should take the constitutional option and impeach him?

I hope not. That's against the rules!

[Dr.Phool]

46. That's how they do it up north.

[Dr.Phool]

45. I already did.

However you don't have that option, do you?

[LiberalEsto]

72. Our taxes pay his salary

and his health benefits
and his rent
and his travel
and so on.

If you dine on the public dime, you have some responsibility to those who pay theb tab.

[obxhead]

16. k/r

[cry baby]

21. I think if I were losing my unemployment benefits and my family was hungry...I'd like his deal.

Maybe we should try to see it from that person's point of view, that it was too big a risk for failure in the senate for those in need through no fault of their own.

Just another perspective.

[nadinbrzezinski]

25. Re-read what I said about crisis

it used to be that those extensions were automatic and one party did not hold them hostage... why he should have called them on THAT.

[TBF]

54. He didn't have to do it this way - he could pay those unemployment benefits out of excess

surplus for a short time, while he stood up to the bullies and negotiated a better deal. I understand what you're saying, when you're living unemployment check to unemployment check, with savings depleted, there is no margin for error. That I get, along with the real life consequences. But to trade that away the way he did - he allowed them to steamroll him. He is either clueless or working for them. No other option.

[olegramps]

55. They blackmailed him and he caved like a wimp.

He could have stuck to his guns and seen a threaten open revolt against the Republicans. He is a worthless loser.

[NNN0LHI]

24. I didn't think who I voted for mattered for a long time either. It does

I picked up my property tax bill one day and realized they had quadrupled in 21 years. And then I said to myself Holy Shit! I realized my property taxes alone were about to exceed the entire amount of my original mortgage payment when I bought this house. That is when I got real interested in local and state politics.

Don

[nadinbrzezinski]

26. As an 18 year old I knew that, in another country

why I made that point... that we have officially reached that point here.

It implies levels of corruption not seen since oh Tammeny Hall.

[NNN0LHI]

28. I am probably a slow learner and too trusting in other people

Boy, but after it creeps up on you and hits you right square between the eyes like my taxes have it makes you learn quick and not be so trustful of other people.

Don

[nadinbrzezinski]

29. It was a very different political culture

hell as a 17 year old my art history teacher was a social democrat, fled from Franco's Spain and my Sociology instructor was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party... and they could not stand each other.

It was THE BEST political education I could ever get. Their arguments were very instructive.

We were also told that it was a duty to vote and all that, and we believed it. So even though we knew it really didn't mater, voting rates were well over 80% for presidential elections and well over the high 70s for midterms.

People knew it would take time to change things and that you needed to work OUTSIDE the parties... aka movement politics.


And yes there was corruption, ballot stuffing and all that... as well as people threatening people at the time of counting votes, like oh Florida in 2000...

And it will take the same kind of work to change things here.

[WiffenPoof]

27. Excellent Post! n/t

[watrwefitinfor]

30. You talk to him as if these are things he does not know.

(Let me say early on that the rest of this post is not directly aimed at Nadine, with whom I have quietly agreed and disagreed at different times since I've been on DU. It is directed generally at the whole wide array of folks here who seem dead set on tearing down what may be the last bastion against the fascists in this country.)

Why isn't some of this energy that is being expended all over DU (and the "left" generally) being expended in ORGANIZING.

Many here speak of "the movement" when if you were actually there, you know full well the only reason there were successes in the 60s and 70s was because we organized and fought. And we fought and we fought. We formed united fronts. We built and organized. We leafletted and postered. We brought in speakers. We formed study groups. We organized sit-ins and walk-outs and student chapters and communes (houses, food, medical, legal) and newspapers and movie festivals and bookstores and breakfasts for children and yes demonstrations and an endless array of stuff. We supported neighborhood struggles, and supported strikes and strikers right on the picket lines, we got arrested right alongside the union picketers. We brought people from our schools and workplaces and clubs and unions to join in. Many of them became leaders and brought in more folks. Do people think those big demonstrations just "happened"? Remember New MOBE? We invited in all those organizations and politicians we could agree with around major points, and we fought like hell to push the politicians and others who disagreed to convince them of the need for change.

All those people in DC didn't just "show up" one day to protest the war in Vietnam. No more than all those people turned up in DC to listen to MLK tell them about his dream. THEY WERE ORGANIZED by people who saw the need for organization and did it.

I don't write well, but some things need saying.

I am not believing the juvenile shit I am seeing all over DU. Looks like a bunch of spoiled, pouting, fit-pitching, posturing children posting, instead of a group of politically astute, mature folks, many of whom I had come to admire and respect since I found this place in spring of 2004. Of course, many of those mature voices seem to have given up and moved on, drowned out by the purist "left" running amok about the place. Oh, how I understand why they have gone. It is more and more difficult to come here.

Looks to me like DU has come full circle. Founded when the left (or what was left of it) splintered over the Gore/Nader question and helped bring about the last decade we have all suffered through - now again splintering over these tactical questions regarding Obama. What the hell do you want from the man when you are not out there on the streets demanding justice? educating people? Talk about your circular firing squad...

And how in the hell do you think the masses of people in this country - the ones you deride every day as being stupid as dirt - how do you think they are going to respond to a bunch of "leftists" who are being touted on tv right now by Chuckie and Chip and the rest as being against what the president was able to save for the working class. (I know, you like to call them middle class, but they are WORKERS, some with jobs, some without.) And not just the left, Chuckie is painting the WHOLE Democratic Congress with that brush: They are refusing to vote in the good stuff Obama just won through negotiations. How do you think that makes folks watching network news feel about Dems and the left?

There is much more to being "left" than taking a far left position and refusing to budge. If that's what you think, then you might benefit by reading about some real world struggles. You might consider how political struggle affects the masses, not just yourself and your friends. You might even learn something by starting with the struggle of the left in Germany, ostensibly against Hitler and the fascists, but in reality damaging only themselves, bringing about their own demise by their failure to unite to fight the fascists.

For if you think Bush was bad, you just ain't seen nothing yet until the Dem party is split in 2012 by "primarying Obama" and other stupid stunts that help bring about Republican rule in all three branches. No Democrats of any stripe - centrist, leftist, conservative, liberal - none! will ever be president again. There is a time to unite and a time to fight. There is a time to be critical of someone whose politics you don't agree with, and a time to provide critical support for same, in hopes of holding off something a whole lot worse like fascism, and hanging on to a little bit of something for the working class. (Sorry, I just don't like euphemisms much.)

Are you guys progressives or not? If you are, if you really wanted change, you would be organizing all those who can be united with to push the man we have in there now to the left, not prove to him that you are out to destroy him then wonder why he doesn't appreciate you. He is capable of being moved. He has even hinted out loud that we should move him, much as FDR did. But you can't do it sitting behind a goddamned keyboard castigating everyone who doesn't see the world through your myopic eyes.

For what you will get ultimately will be a repeat of 2001. Full circle.

I have seen much and experienced much, and I have grown physically old, weak, crippled and weary. But I can't give up on you guys any more than I can give up on Obama. My great grandchildren are depending on you all! For god's sake dammit. Grow up.

And start organizing.

Wat

Again, Nadine, please do not take this personally. I should probably to an OP instead of posting here, but I've not done much of that since I've been here, and not sure my nerves could take it. I shudder to think what will be said to me for posting this here, but I can't seem to help myself tonight. Perhaps it was Elizabeth passing. She had failings, too. But that woman was one helluva fighter who understood much!

[nadinbrzezinski]

32. I've been advocating movement politics

and have hit the pavement... so I know what you speak off.

Hell today's stunt... is theater... the kind of political theater that works...

As to him and his advisors not knowing some of these things? I fear they don't.... or rather they have chosen to forget them.

And yes it should be an OP

[Whisp]

36. ''why we are returning to you the memorabilia''

:rofl:

ok, I'm sure that will make him cry

[Indepatriot]

43. It's called participatory democracy, and the object is to

make them THINK, not cry. Constructive, effective, engagement.

[Whisp]

66. o right, without this letter, Obama wouldn't know how to think.

I would suggest the letter writer thought a bit more about proper grammar, for starters.

[donheld]

70. You're right, he doesn't give a damn

[defendandprotect]

39. OKay... many have reached the "last straw" with Obama ... now what .... ?

More of the same or something new?

NO ONE WANTS TO VOTE FOR A THIRD PARTY CANDIDATE

because we don't have IRV voting --

and because we have to know that pretty much the huge liberal voting bloc

would be happy with the candidate -- that, to me, poiints to someone we all trust.

How about drafting Sen. Bernie Sanders -- he could run on the Democratic ticket --

and let's put Grayson with him --

or Michael Moore -- he'd wear the Dem label --

[Dr.Phool]

49. Kick and Rec!

[mmonk]

51. I like it.

[mimitabby]

56. if you send a package it will take months before it gets opened

[gblady]

57. I, too, packed up my Obama paraphernalia....

today as I was cleaning in preparation for setting up my Christmas tree.

I decided that I could no longer look at the stuff which I have had proudly
displayed since I worked so hard on his campaign. A line has been crossed.

Very sad to me...I hate the sounds of hopes dashed...

I'm still working on my letter, but my thoughts are very similar to yours.

[Indepatriot]

58. I sent a Boxful sans note, I feel no explanation is needed.

Please go to "Your Shirt, Mr. President" on facebook and spread it around. I think this will get their attention if enough folks do it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

61. To be honest I doubt they will even read it

I am a professional lefty after all... hence don;'t matter, until the election that is... and just for money and vote.

[bobbolink]

68. I like the idea and it is definitely cathartic. Remember, however, that mail is stopped

going to WH or Congress for security checks. L-O-N-G delay.

[BobbyBoring]

59. WTG!!

Maybe I'll ask for my $100.00 back!

[xocet]

65. K & R Excellent Summary n/t

[Mike 03]

67. WOW. This is intensely perfect. A keeper for sure.

Awesome

Kick and Rec.

[davidthegnome]

71. I'd do the same

Only I threw out the t-shirt once I realized what kind of man he really was (when he caved in on the public option). Maybe I'll send a fruit basket instead.

[Catherina]

73. Excellent letter. Error: you can only recommend threads which were started in the past 24 hrs n/t