North Star Writers Group

A disturbing trend has become evident as of late in American governance – that of open defiance of both written law and the will of the people. To be sure, the ability of power to corrupt and of sinful man to be eagerly corrupted by it is nothing new and should not be a surprise. The Founders understood this keenly, thanks to King George III. As John Adams said, "There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty." But in recent days, it seems that those men and women living with power are more willing than ever to blatantly ignore the restrictions and guidelines placed on it. And if the citizenry attempts to call them on it and hold them accountable, they actually have the chutzpah to think we are the ones totally out of line. Consider:

• Congress is debating an immigration bill that would flagrantly violate Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution. They would give 12-20 million illegal immigrants amnesty from their crime, and normalize their residence, ultimately turning them into citizens. (And, no doubt, provide an instant constituency for big government, a rich source of re-election votes purchased with your tax dollars, and a vehicle for keeping incumbent congressmen and senators in office for life.) Never mind the disrespect these folks showed America by disobeying her laws when they sneaked in here in the first place. (I guess that's why Congress kisses their butts while flipping born-and-raised Americans the bird. They have lawlessness in common.)

Now, here is the text of Article IV, Section 4: "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence."

Not all of these folks may be carrying weapons (though some surely are), or another country's flag (though a great many waved Mexican flags when protesting a few weeks ago), or wearing a military uniform, but they are perpetrating an invasion nonetheless. And one could make a convincing case that those Mexican flag-waving protests were an implicit threat of domestic violence should a security wall be approved. Congress and the president both pledge oaths of fidelity to the Constitution upon taking office. Yet they are openly betraying those oaths, not only failing to do their solemn duty but actually attempting to reward those who have broken in and intimidate the citizenry. This is treason, and should get all those who vote for the bill removed from office and jailed. But will it happen? Of course not.

• The city councils of Chicago, Denver, Portland, and Austin have passed ordinances that would defy federal provisions prosecuting illegal immigrants. This is a blatant violation of Article VI of the Constitution, which holds that federal law is supreme when it conflicts with local or state statute: "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.”

It just doesn't get any clearer that this; the members of those four councils who voted for the ordinances need to be removed from office and prosecuted. And the feds need to ignore these provisions and carry out their Article IV, Section 4 duties regardless. But will either happen? Don't hold your breath waiting for it. The fact that this was done openly, on the record, shows just how sure the councils are that they're above the law.

• Then there's the infamous "campaign-finance reform" law, which blatantly trashed the First Amendment solely to protect incumbents from challengers. I cannot think of a more mutinous act against the Constitution, and all three branches of government signed off on it: Congress, President Bush, and the Supreme Court. If this doesn't show just how completely around-the-bend those in power have gone, I don't know what does. (And the fact that Sen. John McCain still wears it as a badge of honor shows just how unfit he is to hold the office of President.) Actually passing a law gagging everyone from criticizing incumbents for the last 60 days before an election. I never thought I'd see the day.

The moment we allow one act of lawlessness to go unanswered and one tyrant to not be held accountable for his or her malfeasance, we have opened the door to the end of the rule of law and the onset of authoritarianism. Judging from the above, we are much further down that road than most of us would like to believe, and rapidly reaching the point where action must be taken. What action? As the Declaration of Independence spells out clearly:

"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends [securing Creator-endowed unalienable rights], it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new guards for their future security."

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This is Column # DKK14. Request permission to publish here.