Joseph Planta's Commentary - thecommentary.ca

Monday, 20 December 2004

Confronting an arrogant and reckless Presidency

By Joseph Planta

VANCOUVER - Democrat Robert C. Byrd is the senior Senator from the great state of West Virginia. Actually, he's the most senior senator of all, as he is the longest serving senator in congress at the moment. He's also one of the more respected members of the upper house, a former majority leader and president pro tempore twice. Byrd is perhaps, the pre-eminent custodian of the Senate's history, having written a storied four-volume history of the chamber. And when his fellow Senators or an overly ambitious administration wishes to blindside the Senate, irrespective of party, count on Senator Byrd to defend the institution in which he has served ably for so long.

His recent book, Losing America: Confronting a Reckless and Arrogant Presidency, was for me, excellent reading this past summer. I didn't agree with everything the good Senator wrote, but I marvelled at the cadence he employed, when telling his story of marrying a coal miner's daughter, or when he chastised and rebuked George W. Bush for an irresponsible war in Iraq, as well as the superciliousness that this administration has treated the legislative body of the American government. Obviously, Byrd knows of what he speaks of, having been, despite his senatorial duties, somewhat of a scholar on parliamentary and legislative procedure, observing the British Parliamentary system, while composing that voluminous history of the chamber where he serves.

Senator Byrd cannot be easily dismissed as say, Michael Moore or Al Franken. Byrd has served with eleven presidents including George W. Bush. He is a legislator of the highest order, knowing what the framers of the constitution wanted when they formed what they hoped would be a more perfect union. When someone like Senator Byrd raises concern about the conduct of this administration, it is definitely worth reading.

The book was somewhat more potent before November's election, but it's still quite an interesting read after the election if for nothing else that Senator Byrd has seen administrations come and go. He's such a permanent fixture in the Senate, barring ill health he could outlast this Bush administration-he was there long before the Bushies came to town, he'll be there long after they're gone.

One of the interesting chronicles that Byrd provides is the insight he offers about the Senate culture. Remember that this august body has but 100 or so members at any given sitting. Byrd talks about his fellow senators like Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico), who himself has been in the Senate for over three decades. He lambastes Domenici for his negligence in allowing President Bush's generous tax cut bill to pass through the Senate in March 2001. He called the tax cut the doling out of the proverbial ice cream before the broccoli and potatoes. Also, interesting is the story Byrd tells of a visit he received from then-newly elected Senator Hillary Clinton. Seeking his instruction, he instructed her about the Senate and its prevalence of two kinds of senators: show horses and workhorses. He urged her to be a workhorse, despite the fact that as a former first lady she'd automatically receive press coverage.

Byrd's criticism isn't directed merely at the Republican Bush, whom he compares to Herbert Hoover, the Depression-era President, who Bush is like because he's out of touch and an ideologue. On Hoover, he writes: "He was an ideologue who could not break free from the bonds of his own private mental straightjacket to adjust to the country's critical needs. He shut himself in the White House and divorced himself from reality. He ate lavish meals attended by servants while soup kitchens doled out gruel form the masses." Byrd is equally furious at Bill Clinton under whose watch the Line Item Veto Act was passed. Byrd calls the act "gross self-mutilation" of the Senate's power over the public purse. It was Clinton, Byrd claims who has allowed presidents from here on in to unilaterally amend legislation after it's become law.

Moreover, Byrd is also adept in admitting when he has made mistakes. Though he voted for the sweeping Patriot Act, he now wishes he had not. Nevertheless, Bush endures the most of most of Byrd's denigration. The obvious points about Bush being simple minded and less than voracious in his desire for knowledge are made, as in any other anti-Bush book.

Reading the book now after November's election and the re-election of George W. Bush one would think would render Senator Byrd's thesis about Bush null and void. Even the most subjective of Bush supporters could see that the Senator's concerns are worth some time. The Bush re-election doesn't necessarily repudiate Byrd's book. Rather they point to some concerns that many have about this President, and his administration's sometimes cavalier attitude in all manners of governance. This is a rare anti-Bush book, unlike that which Michael Moore would write or others. It's one that even Republicans or conservative types-Pat Buchanan or Joe Scarborough for two-could be found to agree with some of the points made. For many, these four more years, could be long ones. If the last four are any indication, it could be perilous. Then again, maybe not. Hopefully not.

***

Losing America: Confronting a Reckless and Arrogant Presidency by Senator Robert C. Byrd (ISBN: 0393059421), published by W.W. Norton, is $35.00 CDN ($23.95 USD).

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Losing America: Confronting a Reckless...

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