By Bob Fertik, Democrats.com

…At the moment, the Washington establishment — and Democratic “leaders” — believe the slightest hint of constitutional conflict would terrify financial markets and trigger a depression. So if “bipartisan unity” is the issue-above-all-other-issues, why doesn’t the Washington establishment demand that Bush show some bipartisanship by respecting lawful (and entirely justified) congressional subpoenas?

American business leaders arrogantly tell foreign leaders that economic growth is impossible without the “rule of law.” Well, without the basic legal tool of subpoenas, there is no rule of law — in the third world or in the United States.

Just imagine what Bush would say if Vladimir Putin defied subpoenas from his parliament. By refusing to hold Bush in contempt, Congress is allowing Bush to be more of a dictator than Putin.

Personally, I believe the single most important thing Congress could do to prevent a depression and restore the pillars of our legal-economic system is to get to the source of all White House legal obstruction — by starting impeachment hearings for Dick Cheney as advocated by Rep. Robert Wexler. Why?

First, consider the alternatives. Financial markets around the world think a $150 billion economic stimulus is utterly useless in the context of the massive collapse of the U.S. mortgage industry and the banks that tried to milk it. That’s precisely why global markets plunged 5 percent to 10 percent on Monday.

Why did the mortage industry collapse? Simple: Bush’s government stopped regulating it and let the banks create a gigantic bubble by offering reckless and even criminal mortgages to people who could not afford them. Who in the White House waged war against all forms of economic regulation? Dick Cheney, of course.

And speaking of war, another major reason for our profound economic problems is Iraq. After predicting a cost-free war, Bush’s disastrous occupation has already forced him to borrow $500 billion from China and the Arab oil monarchies, driving down the dollar and discouraging foreign investment. Who demanded the war in Iraq? Dick Cheney, of course.

(Original Article)