Investigate reasons why Bush invaded Iraq

A recent Harris poll asked Americans if they favored investigating President Bush's reasons for invading Iraq. Fifty-six percent said yes. Given the evidence of Bush's impeachable offenses, dozens of cities and state legislatures have introduced impeachment resolutions. House Resolution 635 would create a committee to investigate the manipulation of information during the lead-up to and execution of the war in Iraq. It's necessary because the administration rebuffs Congressional inquiries. Bush ignores any statute that conflicts with "his" interpretation of the Constitution; in five years, he's added "signing statements" to more than 750 bills passed by Congress, more than five times the number Clinton signed in the eight years of his administration. On Jan. 18, Bush issued amendments to Executive Order 12866 that would increase his control of federal agencies that protect our privacy, health, safety, civil rights and the environment. Congress grants the civil servants in those agencies authority to interpret laws and develop regulations. This latest move takes power from agency experts and gives it to political appointees. I abhor impeachment. Clinton's impeachment, supported by only 28 percent of Americans, led to a government standstill and we don't need such a distraction. Nevertheless, Bush must answer for the damage he has done in Iraq and to America. We've lost about 3,100 of our men and women and spent tens of billions of dollars, while the president condones torture, cover-ups, and illegal surveillance. How devastating it is to realize that we have twice elected a man who places himself above both the rule of law and our Constitution. If he is not held accountable, what's to restrain the next president from taking on the mantel of the imperial presidency and believing that he or she is also above the law? Bettie J. Reina, Milmay - Daily Journal, February 9, 2007