Conscience

   Now is the time for all good senators to come to the aid of their conscience.
   The question before them is whether the current president is guilty of "treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors," as outlined in the Constitution, and if so should he be removed from office.
   The first two sins are easily defined, and evidence has been gathered to support allegations. The others are not specifically defined, so it is up to Congress and its investigators to set up a definition and gather evidence.
   Likewise, it is up to supporters to refute any evidence related to the charges. The case has not yet been presented to the Senate. First, it must be formally presented to the full House of Representatives in the form of impeachment allegations gathered by the House Intelligence Committee and approved by the Judiciary Committee.
   Even so, it is time for senators to prepare for the likelihood of an impeachment trial. But they must also consider the amount of support for them by voters back home. Realistically, they must balance the need to follow the wishes of the electorate with the need to follow Constitutional and legal principles, as well as their conscience.
   For many, that may be a tough balancing act. Already, some members of Congress have decided to leave office rather than follow the demands of ardent supporters of the president and ignore their conscience.
   That, however, according to the resident cynic Pug Mahoney, is a copout. They should follow their conscience and the Constitution, and not cower to the whims of a fickle electorate.
   That way danger lies.