The call for censure of the President from Senator Feingold has been met with by opposition from both Democrats and Republicans. Republicans have even accused him of "siding with the terrorists".

Since day one of the Bush Administration, Karl Rove has been the architect of the most cruel and vicious change in the atmosphere of Washington. The rules of engagement have been altered so that anything goes as long as you win. Republicans can lie, cheat or steal as long as they end up on top. Defamation of anyone who disagrees is the rule of the day. Breaking the law is justified as a means to an end.

Karl Rove has become the new Joe McCarthy, sicking the Republican hounds on anyone and everyone who disagrees with the Bush Administration. The media has been brought to heel and refuses to ask any tough questions or do any true reporting. If anyone dares question the Bush Administration on anything, they're labeled traitors, terrorists or terrorist sympathizers. Nobody can possibly be patriotic and question the Republican elite.

The plan has been working so far. The Bush Administration lied to get support to invade Iraq. Halliburton, the V.P.'s former company, has received 10's of billions of dollars in "no bid" contracts. Billions of dollars of our tax money is missing in Iraq. Republicans have increased the national debt by over 2.7 TRILLION DOLLARS in 5 years. They've cut taxes for the rich while increasing them for the rest of us (except big corporations of course). Republicans have been caught in the biggest scandal in years, selling votes to the highest bidder. The Patriot Act has curtailed our civil rights with very little benefit. The "Clear Skies Act" has allowed more pollution. The President has authorized illegal surveillance of Americans (the law says everyone has to have a warrant). I could go on but what's the point?

The news media isn't questioning anything. The Democrats won't say anything. Who is going to stand up and question how these things can happen time after time. When will the American people be incensed by the corruption and greed epitomized by the Republican Party and say ENOUGH!!!

I hope change is on the horizon but I fear it's not.

Even though it's clear that Americans' civil liberties have been repeatedly violated, apparently the Republican leadership in Congress is "OK" with this. They are now proposing legislation that allows the Bush Administration to conduct warrantless surveillance on Americans for up to 45 days before having to justify it to a special Congressional committee.

My problem is that the Republicans are proposing this legislation without knowing the purpose and extent of the previous warrantless spying done by the administration and it appears this is an attempt to stall any further investigation into the affair. I and many Americans want the answers to specific questions before we let this go. Why did the administration not seek warrants; Who were they spying on; What information were they looking for: How many people were being spied upon; and How has the information been used?

We need to press our representatives in Congress to get hard answers before allowing our First Amendment rights to be violated and diluted. Our Constitutional rights can't be the price we have to pay for protection from terrorism. There are many avenues available to increase our security without abridging our civil rights.

Congress and the court system are supposed to part of the checks and balances system set up in our Constitution to protect our rights. If they fail in this task they must be held accountable and be replaced. Once our Constitutional rights begin to be eroded there will be no end. We must stand up and make our voices heard now! We must demand answers from the Bush Administration before we allow the Republican leadership in Congress to whitewash the past.