Robert Parry has been the best at articulating the implications of the Alito nomination:
Today, Americans have rights only at George W. Bush’s forbearance. Under new legal theories – propounded by Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito and other right-wing jurists – Bush effectively holds all power over all Americans.
He can spy on anyone he wants without a court order; he can throw anyone into jail without due process; he can order torture or other degrading treatment regardless of a new law enacted a month ago; he can launch wars without congressional approval; he can assassinate people whom he deems to be the enemy even if he knows that innocent people, including children, will die, too.
Under the new theories, Bush can act both domestically and internationally. His powers know no bounds and no boundaries.
Bush has made this radical change in the American political system by combining what his legal advisers call the “plenary” – or unlimited – powers of the Commander in Chief with the concept of a “unitary executive” in control of all laws and regulations.
Yet, maybe because Bush’s assertion of power is so extraordinary, almost no one dares connect the dots. After a 230-year run, the “unalienable rights” – as enunciated by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and the Founding Fathers – are history. Read more.
Is this over-the-top, left-liberal rant? What if it's not? Even the neo-con leaning New Republic has come out against the Alito nomination. Not that it will make a difference. The GOP has marketed itself as the Big Daddy party who will keep all the little, scared children safe. The Americans who support this agenda don't want a democracy; they want strong-man authoritarianism.
Let's face this square on. It's has really become embarrassing to be an American insofar as a majority are happy to abdicate their liberties in a tradeoff for security. Such Americans are scared people who disguise their cowardice with with nauseous, sanctimonious cant about American greatness. They talk big to hide their smallness.
Five years ago, I knew there were such people, but I would never have thought they were a majority. I really thought we were better. I am sickened to learn how wrong I was. What do Americans have to see in order tounderstand? Will it take videotape of Bush or Rove pistol whipping some obsequious Democratic Senator for them to get the point. It's hasn't happened literally, but it has figuratively.