Then Force the Sumbitch Model

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The Candidate After Retired Maj. Gen. Paul E. Vallely called for the “forced resignations” of President Obama and congressional leaders in response to multiple grievances, including the alleged political purge of hundreds of senior military officers, two retired U.S. generals are creating a citizens’ commission to scrutinize Obama administration actions on national security and economic issues. Vallely, formerly the deputy commanding general of Pacific Command, said the current crop of leaders must be forced to resign by the “demand resignation” process, which he explained requires massive grass-roots protests and social networking. As an example, he cited the public and media pressure that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Impeachment, Vallely said, is not a viable option because of “partisan politics.” Vallely reminds Americans that the Declaration of Independence itself states that whenever “any Form of Government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem more likely to affect their Safety and Happiness.” Vallely said the nation he long defended is self-destructing “before our very eyes,” because of “our inept and incompetent leadership in Washington.” “The battle is on,” he added, “and we shall not retreat.” (here and here) I'm generally happy about, and supportive of this.  There is this caveat however; be wary of any proposition to  change the face of government that's fronted by the military.  I said wary, not dismissive.  I had never thought of  "forced resignation" as an option, and Valley's Nixon example seems flawed. Nixon was forced into resignation, in the end, but only  after he was falsely informed by a cadre of trusted GOP leaders that there were sufficient Senate votes to convict.  There were not. But things only reached this point after a relentless campaign by the WaPost created a climate of inevitability. That sort of media firestorm would  never occur against a Democrat president (witness Clinton); unless.  Unless the American people followed up with massive demonstrations that Democrats saw as threatening their party, long term.  They would throw their own children down a mine shaft in that event.

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