Until we ELECT our US Attorney General, Government will forever remain above the law.

[Union Yes]

The President appoints/nominates the US AG, then confirmed by the Senate.

Tasked with upholding every law set forth in our US Constitution. Given near total autonomy and power to investigate, prosecute, appoint a special prosecutor. Known as the highest ranking law enforcement officer of the land. It can be argued that the USAG is the most powerful person in America.

Alberto Gonzalez and John Ashcroft. Bushco's AG's.

Tasked with overseeing law enforcement and oversight of government criminal wrongdoing. Given the power to investigate and indict high crimes if they so choose. Instead they chose to enable Bushco's tyranny and oversaw some of the worst crimes ever perpetrated in American history.

War crimes.

Falsification of evidence to sway congress to approve the Iraq War Resolution.

Stonewalling 9-11.

Torture.

Alberto and John witnessed constitutional crime after crime.

We needed an AG that would prosecute.

"Al" and John enabled, instead.

.............................................................................

Atomic Ronny Ray-Guns AG, Edwin Meese built a fine reputation as Chief Enabler of government high crimes as well.

Meese oversaw and witnessed the Iran-Contra scandal. 10's of thousands of people died because of the high crimes known as Iran-Contra.

America needed a prosecutor.

Edwin Meese was a high crime enabler.

.............................................................................

President Obama and his AG, Eric Holder witnessed along with all Americans, some of the worst crimes ever perpetrated in American history before Obama was elected. Crimes committed by Bushco.

Our US Constitution demands that these crimes be prosecuted.

IT IS THE SWORN DUTY OF THE US ATTORNEY GENERAL TO UPHOLD THE LAW AND TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION.

By law there can only be 1 choice. PROSECUTE BUSHCO.

Bush, CHEE-NEE, Rummy, Condi, Rove, Wolfy, Ashcroft, Alberto, just a start. Prosecute every one of these criminal fascist warpig motherfuckers!

America needs a PROSECUTOR.

Holder has been nothing but an enabler, so far. And I see no reason to change that belief in the near future.

....................................................................

There may be a solution. But passing this kind of change into law may be nearly impossible.

ELECT our AG rather than have the President appoint an immediate ally. Til then government will forever remain above the law.

[Davis_X_Machina]

1. AG of different party than president...

...and you've got Bush-era politicization of the Justice Department on steroids.

[Union Yes]

9. If they witch hunt and lose=political suicide. That's what would keep anelected AG quasi-honest.

[cali]

2. what a disaster that would be. thankfully, it won't happen. you'd have to

pass a constitutional amendment.

[Union Yes]

8. Appointed AG's haven't been a disaster?

[cali]

10. As a system, it's better than electing them.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

3. Elected AGs are a disgusting thing... look at the states

[Union Yes]

7. Appointed AG's are also a disgusting thing. nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Terrible idea.

Cabinet positions should not be filled by popular vote. If you thought Alberto Gonzalez was bad -- elections could get us the likes of Sarah Palin.

[Union Yes]

6. Elections can also bring us Bushco and perhaps one day(I shudder the thought), Palin as Prez.

Elections can bring good or bad. It's all part of living in a democracy.

[SargeUNN]

5. Hmm I don't know

I think the AG should not be a political position. It has been put in such in recent years and has had a horrible effect on law enforcement. However, I fear making it an elected office that would open it up to being extremely political. One example of how this can become is the Sheriff of Maricopa County where Joe Arpaio is very much a political whore and plays to political positions leaving stuff like serving felony warrants unserved because it is not politically attractive. We have another Sheriff here in Pinal County that is also headed into the Arpaio mode and is very active in promoting Republican/Libertarian stuff. He will be a future problem just like Arpaio since he has the support and closeness to Jeff Flake.

I agree the AG needs to be fixed where it is beyond the reach of any political control but not sure how that can be done.

[LiberalFighter]

11. It would be too much for the electorate to make that decision.

[TheWraith]

12. We have an elected AG here in New York State.

It's basically the understudy job for the next Democrat who wants to run for governor, to give them the chance to attack unpopular groups and raise their public awareness. Actual legal work? A lot less than that.

[franquigley]

13. UnionYes Has It Right

Most states and municipalities directly elect multiple executive officials, including state attorneys general and local prosecuting attorneys, who prosecute the vast majority of crimes in this country.

Research shows "unbundled" executive structures, rather than a president with all executive powers and duties invested in one person, do a better job of reflecting voter preferences. Reseach also shows that the existence of independent prosecutors internationally cuts down on corruption.

And the historical record show the founders never intended for the president to have full control over federal law enforcement. It is not at all clear that a constitutional amendment is required to elect an AG.

With the Attorney General under Presidential control, we have justice for all--except for those at the very top, who appoint and control their own would-be prosecutor. Nothing has proved this system to be more dysfunctional than the reaction to torture, in both the Bush and Obama administrations.

For anyone wanting to read more (a whole lot of footnotes, too, so I apologize in advance!) on the topic, see http://works.bepress.com/fran_quigley/2/ Thanks.

[Hippo_Tron]

14. Election hell no, but perhaps the Justice Department should become independent

The AG could be appointed for a fixed term by the President and confirmed by the Senate but not subject to dismissal by the President.