[ Hear hear. A rousing speech that should, at minimum, rouse the Congress to action. The fact that I find that outcome unlikely shows just how far we've fallen. -k]

In this speech, Gore spoke of cycles. I think he is right with that line of logic. I think we are in one right now. The way this country has changed since 911 is undeniable, but I don't think we are on some path that cannot or will not change.

I refuse to believe that Americans are not able and willing to hold their leaders to task. At some point, things will go too far, and the "American Street" will awaken in a way it hasn't since the civil rights movement.

I don't claim to know where the tipping point is, but there is one. I think Al is right, and that these issues should be a part of every upcoming election. The first branch of government, the legislature, is the voice of the people in the federal government. The second branch, the executive, is who we expect to enact what they people want. These things are out of balance.

One theory of thought I'll put forward, is that Bush may have the organization of the federal government mixed up with the way the states are architected. In the states, the executive branch of which the governor is the head, is the first branch. The state legislature is the second. I have heard it argued before that the balance works differently in that case. The states are voices within the union, while in the federal realm the people are the voice of the union. Maybe Bush's issue is that he does not realize that the United States is bigger than Texas.

The path we are on does appear scary. Following that line of thought... The first step in the subjugation of the American People would be the subjugation of the Congress.

RE: C-SPAN: Fmr. Vice Pres. Gore Speech on Executive Powers