It may be worth mentioning that one of President Bush's announced agenda items in the aftermath of the Quebec conference is to resurrect the so-called "fast-track" negotiating provision, which will enable the President to negotiate trade agreements on his own. Congress will be forbidden to participate in the negotiations in any way or to amend the agreements once concluded; it will only be permitted to vote the agreement up or down. The President was quoted by the Associated Press as saying: "It's in our nation's best interests to have the president have that kind of authority." In other words, damn the Constitution, full speed ahead. Not surprising, but chilling when you see it laid out so clearly.

Now, I know all about how corrupt and inefficient Congress is, and how the new economy requires efficiency and streamlining, and all the other claptrap that is used to justify this strongarm tactic. But the system of checks and balances established by the Constitution, while glaringly imperfect, is still the best way to prevent the establishment of an oligarchy or dictatorship. "Efficiency" has been the byword of some very unappetizing regimes.

And, since this is a music forum, I'll refer you to Jack Warshaw's song If They Come in the Morning. And anybody who wants to call me a Communist is welcome to do so. As it happens, I own a small business, in a state where the Democrat-controlled government has been strangling small businesses for years. So characterize all you want.

Aloha,
Mark