The promise was to oppose, to push back against the President's assertion of unrestricted power. Instead, my party used its newly won majority power in the legislative branch to announce that one of its most powerful tools granted by the Constitution for the purpose of maintaining a check on an out of control Executive would be "off the table." The legislative branch whose power had been plundered for years by the Bush administration was now deliberately surrendering its power.

The question of whether to impeach pales in comparison to the more significant issue of preserving the powers of the legislature and thereby preserving the principle of separation of powers essential to our system of self-government. For the Speaker of the House to answer a question about the use of a fundamental tool of political power by summarily surrendering it shows a phenomenal lack of appreciation for the institution she is obligated to protect. The question can only be answered responsibly by voicing appropriate deference and allegiance to the supreme law of the land, the Constitution.

It has been all down hill since then. The non-binding resolutions are a further surrender of power. Each congressional action that has not served to affirm legislative power has only served to bolster an arrogant Executive.

Now with the exposure of the neglect experienced by our outpatient active duty and veteran wounded from Iraq and Afghanistan we see evidence that the legislative branch has been lacking in strength of will long prior to the elections of '06. How many stories from active duty and veteran wounded have been recited by Representatives and Senators at hearings this week? They have been learning about the negligence and mismanagement of the Bush administration from their military family constituents since the war began. Yet how many Democratic candidates made neglect of veterans an issue in their campaigns? I only know of one, Jim Webb. Imagine the heightened public consciousness about the Iraq catastrophe had incumbent Democratic candidates shined a bright light on this problem during the elections.

And now, what is the response from my majority party? Where are all the bills calling for new state of the art quarters for outpatient wounded and their families? Who is introducing legislation calling for more and easily accessible clinics for veterans? Which of the reelected incumbents is dusting off long proposed legislation calling for state of the art data systems to help solve issues of lost records and antiquated procedures? Which of the "support our troops" legislators is demanding an extensive investigation into all the aspects of the proposed closing of Walter Reed in the face of mounting war casualties? Who is calling for more state of the art military and veteran hospitals?

Exception: One Democratic legislator has introduced a "GI Bill" for veterans in accord with the veteran issues he raised during his campaign. Again that's Senator Webb. Yet, what I'm hearing is that there has been some reluctance to support this because it's expensive. Well it's time Congress started facing the full costs of waging war. Not supporting this bill serves to underwrite Bush's policy to wage war on the cheap.

Anything other than vigorous Congressional investigations into the Bush administration planning for war casualties, all aspects of spending for casualties, and the policies regarding the reporting of casualties, is further surrender of legislative power and reinforces the President's policies. Bringing generals before legislative committees without calling the civilian war planners to account is like running interference for Bush policy. The President will attempt to rely on special extralegal commissions to pass the buck and avoid responsibility.

The Democratic Party majority, in a very short time, has managed to align itself with Bush war policy, instead of forcing a change in policy. If the strategy is to survive the next election, it will not work. Any Democrat that does not push back against Bush's unrestrained Presidential power carries no credentials into the next campaign. My limited experience in party politics has led me to believe that working against and voting against particular candidates is just as important a power and right, as the power to vote for a candidate.