"I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States…" an oath many have recited, whether in the Military, Law Enforcement, or Public service. The oath mean different things to all, but this phrase is clear you will follow what law tells you to do, support it and defend it. The reason it is an oath is to symbolize your support for what it stands for, it is you giving your word, your honor and your integrity that you will support, defend AND follow it.
The United States is not a direct Democracy; in fact many of the Founders considered a "true democracy" as evil and instead presented a Republic. A Republic where the people chose who will represent them in government, whether Town, county, State or National according to the governing Constitution and Law. But with this the States are required only one thing in their government, that it be a Republican system as required by Article IV Section 4, "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government".
What this means, is the people chose those who will be our collective voice in the matter of the creation of Law in the Legislature. Laws must be made pursuant to the US Constitution, and State as well if a State body, but it is the legislature who has the sole role of making law, and act as the direct representatives of ALL the people collected.
Today in Wisconsin, an entire delegation of State Senators vacated not only their Chamber for a scheduled vote according to the Laws of the State, but these members left the State entirely. By doing this, the Senate cannot meet quorum to carry on ANY business at all of making, altering or cancelling law. This was done in protest to a bill they were opposed to, and successfully prevented the measure from being voted upon. But by doing this, this group of 14 people has denied an entire State its ability to carry any business into effect that awaits their action. The people of Wisconsin have properly elected their members of the Legislature, and their will is expected to be honored.
The people of Wisconsin like the rest of the United States are guaranteed a working republican government that will honor and fulfill their office. By abandoning their office, they have abandoned the people of Wisconsin, and have violated their oath.
These Senators oath is to "support…the Constitution", which includes the guarantee of a Republican government, and these Senators have willfully accepted the office for this role. By abandoning their office, they have prevented the State of Wisconsin from deciding on a measure according to law, by a violation of their oath, position and honor to both and denying the Representation of all from Wisconsin.
I understand why they did this as a sign of protest, but their official position in office does not provide for this type of protest. The type of protest they have available is by speaking on the floor of their chamber without fear of reprisal on incrimination, and by the vote they cast on a measure, NOT to prevent the lawful vote on the measure. Republicanism means one side has too lose, but it would endanger the entire structure of our Republic, if all the entire minority voting block has to do is abandon their position, to prevent a vote from taking place.
These Senators job is to represent the People of their jurisdiction in Government. This requires them to be present, to speak to persuade, and to Vote. By denying a vote, an elected official is denying the entire State population their Representative to do the same and represent their constituent's, interest and denies all their Constitutional Guarantee of a republican form of government, and the Senators in the end are violating their oath to ensure it.
At times in a Democratic Republic you will lose votes, you will lose votes on things very important to you, but it is never acceptable to deny all the people their right as well to be represented.
The integrity of the Republic and honor of Office and Oath must be paramount, it cannot be compromised. If it is compromised, it is the authority of the people in the end who is soiled. This cannot be tolerated, this shifts our form of government from one of the rule of law, to the will of man.
No comments :
Post a Comment