Irwin, while you have a point about others not choosing the republic form of government chosen by the founders, even nations who have parliamentary systems often are unable to achieve elections because of deadlock in the parliaments. I would assert that Harper, and until recently, the ultimate removal of Howard in Australia, or the record
years Blair was able to hold on in Britain are examples. Though Olmert has been repeatedly investigated for possible criminal actions in Israel, it has taken a while for a new
election to be forced in the Knesset.
It is often said, "Politics is the art of compromise. Over the life of the United States of America, much has been accomplished by the use of that art even when there has existed "one party government." However, never have I observed in the legislative branch of government the refusal of the GOP to compromise as has occurred under the
current Bush/Cheney Administrations. This leads me to suggest, as I have, not just the issue of one party government has in the specific case been devastating. Additionally, I pointed out the various elements in the Democatic Party which appears to prove the old saw, "We're Democrats we aren't an organized Party." But those among the elected members of the GOP to the legislative branch the formerly, more compromising so-called "Rockefeller Republicans," are almost non-existent as a factor in the GOP. IMHO, the result has been lockstep support by the GOP of Bush/Cheney initiatives, policies and practices including stacking the courts with right wing judges. Even under the Democratic control of Congress, Roosevelt was denied his attempt to create and stack a Supreme Court.
IMHO, the current Democratic leadership in Congress has been a factor and should be those described as "spineless." Pelosi's decision to take impeachment off the table before even being sworn in is one example along with her election to begin with, as well as the system that remains in the Democratic Caucus in the Senate for the leader to
be decided by seniority. I suspect few understand the process for choosing the leadership in the House, but rather than experience or ability to make informed and relevant
choices, the Speaker of the House is typically chosen based on his or her ability at fundraising and the promise to provide for those in office to continue to remain there. Not
just my personal cynicism speaking, but the result of employment on the staff of a now retired member of the House Leadership who served as Chair of the DCCCa, a leadership position.
I would also assert allowing Lieberman to continue to caucus in the Senate with Democrats was a major mistake by Reid after he ran against the Democratic candidate and was primarily elected by the GOP as an (I).
On the specific issue of this post and the FISA legislation signed by Bush into law, it will be of great interest to me to see how the courts respond to the ACLU lawsuit already filed.
"The ACLU's legal challenge, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York today, seeks a court order declaring that the new law is unconstitutional and ordering its immediate and permanent halt.
In a separate filing, the ACLU asked the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) to ensure that any proceedings relating to the scope, meaning or constitutionality of the new law be open to the public to the extent possible. The ACLU also asked the secret court to allow it to file a brief and participate in oral arguments, to order the government to file a public version of its briefs addressing the law's constitutionality, and to publish any judicial decision that is ultimately issued. "
http://www.aclu.org/safefree/nsaspying/35942prs20080710.html 
