It isn't easy. You know, it was 20 years ago a couple days from now that a people's revolution overthrew Ferdinand Marcos of the Phillipines and restored, at least temporarily, their democracy. It's been a rough road since then for the Phillipines...
ND: And right now, we see Corazon Aquino still at it.
CP: That's right. There's a lesson in that. And the same thing is true in Berlin, where people had just had enough and demanded that that wall that artificially split the city come down. In the end, it's really the force of the people that will or will not win the day. And that's a choice that individuals have to make. But for many people who look at the world as one dominated by the United States, I would argue that there is a more formidable superpower in the world: It's the collective will of the people, and specifically, the collective will of the American people demanding that they - we - get back our Constitution, demanding that we get accountability back in our government, demanding that we get back a sane foreign policy that enables the US to play a respected leadership role in the world once again. All of those outcomes are based on the assumption that people will re-engage their politics and that Americans will take on those responsibilities to fulfill what is our great promise.
ND: And you trust that the American people will step up, that your assumption will prove true?
CP: I have to. I have to have faith in the people.
ND: Let's hope they prove worthy of your faith. One last question, Chuck: There is a lot of talk about impeaching Bush and Cheney. What is your take on this?
CP: It seems to me that there are several impeachable offenses that the Bush Administration has engaged in during its years in office. The impeachment process begins in the House of Representatives and then carries over for trial in the US Senate, which decides whether the president stays or goes. I can see several articles of impeachment including selling the US on a war in Iraq in which the government knowingly lied about conditions that did not exist. I can see impeachment offenses around the question of secrecy in the way in which the government conducts its affairs, whether it be developing energy policy with executives of energy companies behind closed doors, and in other things. These are high crimes and misdemeanors.
This government, as far as I can see, is the most corrupt government that we've had in our long history. It's a government that has got to be called to account, because there is no telling what they will do to preserve and extend the power that is now in the hands of the neo-conservatives for creating a new and corporate global empire, to consolidate the power of the religious right - which is wrong - to replace our democracy with a theocracy and [to entrench the power of] the corporate interests that finance all of these elections and serve themselves by developing and, in many cases, writing much of the legislation that benefits them financially. Those are the elements of the plutocracy reigning over us.
Article comments
1 - Dave De Vetter
I truly believe that Chuck Pennacchio is our only hope of beating Santorum in November. He will actually represent the people's interests instead of giving in to the corporations and righ-wing religious extremists. I hope everyone who reads this visits his site and contributes to his campaign or signs up to volunteer (even if you don't live in PA, there's much you can do). We're an all volunteer campaign fighting for the future of democracy.
2 - Austin
that site is www.chuck2006.com
3 - Natalie Davis
Chuck's name in the essay, as does the Pennacchio button graphic, links to the campaign Web site.
4 - Brenna Lorenz
If you have a chance to hear Chuck speak, absolutely do go. He will have you jumping out of your seat ready to do battle. You can't imagine how wonderful it is to hear a candidate talk sense!
When people ask him tough questions, he doesn't hedge, waffle, change the subject, flinch or dodge. He answers head-on, decisively. He's going to make mincemeat of Santorum.
This man is a true leader.
5 - Natalie Davis
Yes, Chuck is a principled, empowering presence. And a straight shooter. But the fact remains that the Democratic powers that be, including a lot of the major Democratic blogs (Kos, MyDD, etc.) are pushing the centrist-conservative Casey. That makes it crucial for progressives to spread the word far and wide throughout Pennsylvania: Casey is nothing more than a pale image of Santorum. He does not support the basic issues so crucial for Pennsylvania and that represent core Democratic values. I understand that people are used to caving in to the right wing; they're accustomed to bending over for the conservatives and losing for their self-degradation. But come on - a progressive can win and god knows, a change is needed YESTERDAY. It's time for a real progressive, a real people's candidate. If Santorum is destined to win (and I maintain that he is NOT), isn't it better to lose standing tall rather than on one's knees? Casey is the candidate for the acquiescent, the cowardly, the weak. Pennacchio is the candidate for the courageous, for those who want power to rest in the hands of the PEOPLE rather than the fatcat, money-motivated pols. Spread the word.