Average Americans that refuse to comply with a congressional subpoena (or any subpoena for that matter) will promptly be thrown in jail until they decide to cooperate. How can a president and his staff be held accountable to the rule of law if they refuse to go under oath or even on the record with testimony?
2007-07-11 04:44:21 · 21 answers · asked by Free Radical 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Only if the subpoena could seriously damage the USA if the information is leaked and even in that case, a small body needs to determine if that is, in fact, the case. Because of partisan politics, then the courts may need to get involved with time limits of a few weeks put in place.
In a perfect world that should be enough -- but no matter how you spin it, politics will always be involved, even from the ones being supeana'd.
If the executive branch does not comply, then it should be considered an impeachable offense.
Bush-co is the most secretive presidency I have known in my 56 years on this planet, and that includes Nixon.
Peace
Jim
.
2007-07-11 05:01:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
To the rule of law? Most definitely.
To whatever witch hunt the opposing party's leadership feels like dredging up? Most definitely not.
Executive privilege is one of the vital checks and balances between the three branches. Subjecting the White House to willy nilly subpoenas because the Congressional leadership doesn't like something the President did is absurd. If there is a violation of law, by all means the subpoenas should stand. This particular episode seems to be based on politics and, as the Supreme Court has decided on several different occasions, that is something that the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch have to work out between themselves without the interference of the courts.
2007-07-11 11:56:13 · answer #2 · answered by thegubmint 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Very good question and you are exactly right the average lay person who have been thrown in jail for contempt of court if they did not comply to a subpoena.
But this dirt bag that occupies the white House and the Vice-President,let's not leave him out feel they are above the law it reminds me of Nixon,and Watergate back in the 70's.
I wish the would impeach the bum but by the time that all came to ahead he would be sitting in Texas,for good and that is all I want is for that hillbilly to get out of Washington,and roll his dusty tumbleweed self back to his lone star state and stay there to the end of time never to be heard from again how's that sound!
2007-07-11 11:54:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, the excutive branch needs checks on it and without having to testify before Congress, Congress cannot get a good idea what the executive branch is doing-especially with the Dubya-Cheney partnership.
2007-07-11 11:49:03 · answer #4 · answered by Jim San Antonio 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
NO. That is part of the checks and balances the constitution provides. The whole idea being to prevent a president from becoming a dictator. We best be careful or Cheney will be crowning W soon.
2007-07-11 11:48:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
There are suppose to be checks and balances in our government so that no one branch has too much power. Our government no longer has those checks and balances, a GWB has demonstrated, and the other branches do not have the guts to reign him in (especially not the Supreme Court which is now almost completely on his side).
2007-07-11 11:50:28 · answer #6 · answered by theoryparker 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It's a delaying tactic. Nixon did the same thing and it didn't work for him. But Bush is closer to the end of his term, and his people have many more tricks up their sleeves to just slow down the process. And with this Supreme Court, Bush might even get away with it!
2007-07-11 11:53:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
The President and his staff should be held to the same standard as the rest of us. After all, there is a reason why we have Presidents and not kings!
2007-07-11 11:49:41 · answer #8 · answered by tangerine 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not! The executive branch is just one small part of our democracy and all should be equal when it comes to following the constitution and the law.
2007-07-11 13:47:30 · answer #9 · answered by Funny Girl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well maybe...depends on what it is in relation too. If its related to powers of the Executive branch then sure. No different then members of congress not having to do what the Excecutive branch demands if its in a power related to congress
2007-07-11 11:50:13 · answer #10 · answered by TyranusXX 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋