Pelosi and Mueller: Acting more like obstructionists than American patriots

Things are changing and this system’s future functionality is in jeopardy because the Executive branch, with this current president in control, is intent on usurping the power of the other two branches.

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We are living in a very precarious time in this nation’s history. The Founding Fathers created a government with three branches, the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial; a system that divides power between the three and includes various limits and controls on their individual powers.

This system has worked well for the most part over a very long period of time and has maintained an appropriate balance between the branches that has allowed them to function in the best interests of this country. But things are changing and this system’s future functionality is in jeopardy because the Executive branch, with this current president in control, is intent on usurping the power of the other two branches.

But, as alarming as this situation may be, there is a way out of this dilemma. Two individuals, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller, are key factors in preserving this country’s checks and balances system and upholding the Constitution.

Now, as the question of impeachment hangs over this Congress and the country, Pelosi and Mueller have a distinct duty and responsibility to determine if it should be initiated or not, or exactly what must be done.

These two powerful individuals will, in effect, determine the fate of America for some time to come. However, that is, if there is some way that someone can somehow get these two power brokers to stop sitting on the sidelines and, instead, fight for what is right under the Constitution.

If they fail to respond as they should then, because of their lack of leadership and determination, we will very likely see Trump reelected, and that would be a monumental catastrophe for America.

What’s with Pelosi? She seems to be stuck in a rut and is coming across as confused and unable to lead House Democrats and their committees in conducting very thorough and extensive investigations into the impeachable behavior and actions of this president, aka, the master of the art of obstruction.

There are so very many instances of Trump clearly making statements that amount to obstruction of justice in Volume 2 of the Mueller report, as well as in a plethora of videos and audios. Did she not read and thoroughly digest the report, did she not see, does she not hear?

Has she seen the very recent interview that George Stephanopoulos conducted with Trump in the White House? Here is the absolutely shocking, astounding part of it: Stephanopolous:  “Your campaign this time around, if foreigners, if Russia, if China, if someone else offers you information on opponents, should they accept it or should they call the FBI?”

Trump:  “I think maybe you do both. I think you might want to listen. I don’t- There’s nothing wrong with listening. If somebody called from a country — Norway — “We have information on your opponent.” Oh. I think I’d want to hear it.” Well, how about Russia instead of Norway, Mr. President?

Does she understand that what he said was, without a doubt, as close as he could get to a treasonous statement? Did it shock her, does she understand the gravity of this situation? Is there anything in the world that this guy would have to do to get her moving in the right direction? What has happened to you, Nancy? All of a sudden, you seem to be obstructing the process.

So often, when I tune in to cable news to find out what’s happening, I hear a quote from her stating, yet again, that it is not the time for impeachment, even though more and more Democrats are calling for that to happen, and soon.

Well, time is of the essence, Speaker Pelosi, and what you need to do is to listen to the advice of Professor Lawrence Tribe and other Constitutional experts that have stated what should be done. The three choices for what to do are: to conclude that impeachment would totally fail because Senate Republicans would never vote to convict him; or secondly, go ahead and, after additional investigations and developing more concrete evidence, initiate the impeachment process.

Or thirdly, take the best course of action and start an impeachment inquiry which will let the Judiciary, take charge of a comprehensive investigation, with the involvement of other key committees. A formal inquiry gives the House Democrats more power to enforce subpoenas and have witnesses testify. This method, that these Constitutional experts all favor, would allow the House Democrats to go ahead with impeachment if entirely feasible or to rule it out.

This strategy will involve deeper investigations that could unearth a great deal of solid, irrefutable evidence of Trump’s obstruction. He would then, in the eyes of the American people, be seen as guilty of crimes and there would be an excellent chance that he would resign instead of fighting a battle he can’t possibly win.

Now let’s turn to Robert Mueller, who is being a very reluctant potential witness for the Judiciary Committee and who would like to disappear to somewhere where no one could find him. Should he be seen as some kind of an obstructionist if he refuses to testify? Doesn’t he understand that he has an absolute obligation to do what is right for his country in its time of great need, when its Constitution is under attack by this autocratic president?

Mueller produced a comprehensive report but one that did not find conclusive evidence of collusion or conspiracy with Russia by Trump or his associates, but he did indicate that there was what could be called obstruction by this president in some ten instances. However, instead of saying that these ten points were a clear indication of obstruction, for some odd reason, he made this convoluted statement: “If we had had confidence that the president clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said so”

And, while all of this confusion among the Democrats is going on we have this miserable excuse for a president blocking every single move that House Democrats are trying to make; it is obstruction in the highest degree, and he must be stopped, he cannot be allowed to continue to run roughshod over this process and the Constitution. Mueller needs to wake up to the fact that, whether he likes it or not he must do what is right.

And Pelosi needs to get moving; lead, follow or just get the hell out of the way and let someone with the necessary determination and passion take over. After all, we’re only talking about the fate of our democracy.

If she continues to vacillate and stall this impeachment inquiry process and let Trump and Republicans strengthen their case, then Chairman Nadler needs to say, “Enough is enough” and initiate an impeachment inquiry on his own, which he most certainly can do.

And when he follows the advice of the esteemed Prof. Tribe on this matter and shifts this process into high gear he will finally be on the right course, doing the best thing for his country to fast forward the removal of this extremely dangerous president.

If he does exactly that, the subsequent hearings will be seen and heard by many millions of Americans all across America via TV, radio, Twitter, and other methods of mass communication. This wide exposure will serve to fully inform and educate the vast majority of Americans about what is really going on. And when they are fully aware, then Mr. Trump will be finished, over and done.

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Michael Payne is an independent progressive activist. His writings deal with social, economic, political and foreign policy issues; and especially with the great dangers involved with the proliferation of perpetual war, the associated defense industry, and the massive control that Corporate America holds over this government and our election process; all which are leading this nation down the road to eventual financial ruin if the conditions are not reversed. He is a graduate of Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois and a U.S. Army veteran.

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