My lame reply from my Colorado Senator.

[JAYJDF]

Here I was trying to explain how by not impeaching busch reinforces the double standard of rich vs poor when it comes to crimes.

Thank you for contacting me to express your concern about the current state of affairs in our government. Like you, I disagree with many of the policies of the Bush Administration. I understand your frustration and appreciate your taking time to express your concerns directly to me.

As you may know, impeachment proceedings against the President can only be initiated by the House of Representatives, not the Senate. House Speaker Pelosi has said that she does not plan on initiating impeachment proceedings at this time. Rather than use up the country's time on impeachment proceedings -- as many of my colleagues unwisely chose to do in 1998 -- I would prefer that the Congress get back to working on issues that affect families across Colorado and America.

Thanks again for writing.

Sincerely,

Ken Salazar
United States Senator

[northzax]

1. how is that a lame reply?

the House impeaches people, until then the Senate can't do anything.

[YOY]

2. I think the OP is concerned with the "Eating up precious time" thing

Wheras many folks consider * impeachment complety warranted and a damn good use of time.

I'm straddling the fence on that one.

[northzax]

3. but what is the Senate supposed to do?

have hearings on something they can't start? better to govern, don't you think?

[YOY]

4. Yep. Absolutely

n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. The House wouldn't do it unless they felt they had the votes in the Senate

so it is a lame reply in the sense that your Senator didn't at least offer up whether or not he would look for those votes.

[Clintonista2]

6. While I would love to see shrub impeached/jailed...

I think politically it is unwise. As we saw during the Clinton impeachment, it makes the party look radical, polarizing. The Republican party is self-destructing, interfering with this could ultimatley create more backlash then its worth.

[Norquist Nemesis]

7. Read it again. There are three key words...

"at this time".

It's not a lame reply, IMO. He's telling you (rightly so) that it's the House that brings the proceedings. But he's also telling you that Pelosi's statements of impeachment being off the table is not necessarily the case. We're in the dark about 99% of what's discussed behind closed doors, especially when it comes to political matters as serious as impeachment. "At this time" gives me a glimmer of hope. Just a glimmer, mind you, but still.