The Framers intended impeachment as the ultimate accountability. Without at least the credible threat of it, there is no realistic checking of a president who seems increasingly disposed to abuse his awesome powers, in fulfillment of a promise to “fundamentally transform” the United States of America. Maybe we are already transformed. The Framers did not see impeachment as outlandish; it was a realistic response to an imperious executive’s seeking to upend our constitutional order — the specter of which gripped the constitutional convention with fear.
I think that we’d be a lot better off, historically, if more presidents had been impeached and removed (Wilson certainly comes to mind — Clinton should have as well). Such examples might rein in their dictatorial tendencies. Unfortunately, the Founders didn’t anticipate political parties or the degree to which party loyalty would overcome legislative-branch jealousy in their prerogatives.
Someone should explain a little history to Ms. Reid. It is gun control itself that is “neo-Confederate.” It was used in the South after Reconstruction to disarm blacks, the better to lynch them. In fact, it was the Klan’s favorite law.
I just realized he would have been ninety years old today, if he hadn’t died over a third of a century ago, at 55. He had a terrible lifestyle — he smoked most of his life, was overweight, and had a bad diet, exacerbated by horrible nutritional advice (low-fat, grains) after his first heart attack at age 45. I’ve outlived him now, with no signs of coronary problems, but I’ve never smoked, and never been (much) overweight. I’m hoping that I’ll live to be at least ninety, and if I can make it that far, I suspect I’ll go far beyond, barring accidents or massive social upheaval.