The Observation Deck

As the republic flails toward "burned down, fell over, then sank into the swamp" territory, I still give thought to our troubled postage-stamp kingdom of Lakewood. While a much smaller concern by most standards, the issues are immediate to those of us who live here; they also seem so familiar at times.

Today I read about a new project of the Brennan Center, "the National Task Force on Rule of Law and Democracy."

I found their five-point list of goals rather striking.

• Strengthen ethics and conflicts of interest laws;
• Protect the independence of law enforcement and the courts;
• Respect a free and independent press;
• Ensure transparent and appropriate use of government research and data; and
• Support the appointment of appropriate and qualified public officials

Almost word for word, it seems laudable, simple, modest, familiar… yet apparently a list of things for which we must fight, at length, nonetheless.

[quote="mjkuhns"]As the republic flails toward "burned down, fell over, then sank into the swamp" territory, I still give thought to our troubled postage-stamp kingdom of Lakewood. While a much smaller concern by most standards, the issues are immediate to those of us who live here; they also seem so familiar at times.

Today I read about a new project of the Brennan Center, "[url=https://www.democracytaskforce.org/][u]the National Task Force on Rule of Law and Democracy[/u][/url]."

I found their five-point list of goals rather striking.
[list][*]Strengthen ethics and conflicts of interest laws;[*]Protect the independence of law enforcement and the courts;[*]Respect a free and independent press;[*]Ensure transparent and appropriate use of government research and data; and[*]Support the appointment of appropriate and qualified public officials[/list]
Almost word for word, it seems laudable, simple, modest, familiar… yet apparently a list of things for which we must fight, at length, nonetheless.[/quote]

It's not that simple and this “Rule of Law” reeks of liberal dogma. The Constitution places the power to elect in the hands of people and governed by their elected representatives.

There is no “independent law enforcement or court system” separate from the power of the people and their representatives.
The free and independent press has to earn the respect of the people back by remaining politically natural and printing facts confirmed by credible sources.
The heads of government are empowered with the right to make appointments; however, they must be confirmed by the elected representatives. That's called check and balance of power.

[quote="mjkuhns"]As the republic flails toward "burned down, fell over, then sank into the swamp" territory, I still give thought to our troubled postage-stamp kingdom of Lakewood. While a much smaller concern by most standards, the issues are immediate to those of us who live here; they also seem so familiar at times.

Today I read about a new project of the Brennan Center, "[url=https://www.democracytaskforce.org/][u]the National Task Force on Rule of Law and Democracy[/u][/url]."

I found their five-point list of goals rather striking.
[list][*]Strengthen ethics and conflicts of interest laws;[*]Protect the independence of law enforcement and the courts;[*]Respect a free and independent press;[*]Ensure transparent and appropriate use of government research and data; and[*]Support the appointment of appropriate and qualified public officials[/list]
Almost word for word, it seems laudable, simple, modest, familiar… yet apparently a list of things for which we must fight, at length, nonetheless.[/quote]

It's not that simple and this “Rule of Law” reeks of liberal dogma. The Constitution places the power to elect in the hands of people and governed by their elected representatives.

There is no “independent law enforcement or court system” separate from the power of the people and their representatives.
The free and independent press has to earn the respect of the people back by remaining politically natural and printing facts confirmed by credible sources.
The heads of government are empowered with the right to make appointments; however, they must be confirmed by the elected representatives. That's called check and balance of power.

Richard Baker wrote:It's not that simple and this “Rule of Law” reeks of liberal dogma.

No, it doesn't.

Do you know anything about the Heritage Foundation? "A research and educational institution whose mission is to build and promote conservative public policies, based in Washington, D.C." Here they are, promoting concepts including "Rule of Law" and "independence of the judiciary."

That took all of three minutes to find.

Perhaps your sense of smell may not be a reliable way to judge abstract concepts.

I will note in passing that my 500+ posts with regard to local government in Lakewood cluster around many of these same topics that Mr. Kuhns refers to.

Many others have posted here to similar effect.

I will point out that basic principles of good government (in a democracy) transcend binary distinctions, like "liberal" and "conservative".

I would not be writing these posts, if I did not seriously believe that we have significant problems in our local government.

Most of my posts have been supported with actual public documents on the issues discussed.

Finally, I note that the critique that I and others bring to the Observation Deck and the Lakewood Observer has been brought on a bipartisan basis.

Certainly, the recognition of the shortcomings of our current administration transcend political affiliation, with both Dems and Repubs speaking out against the transgressions.

[quote="mjkuhns"][quote="Richard Baker"]It's not that simple and this “Rule of Law” reeks of liberal dogma.[/quote]
No, it doesn't.

Do you know anything about the Heritage Foundation? "A research and educational institution whose mission is to build and promote conservative public policies, based in Washington, D.C." [url=https://www.heritage.org/index/rule-of-law][u]Here they are[/u][/url], promoting concepts including "Rule of Law" and "independence of the judiciary."

That took all of three minutes to find.

Perhaps your sense of smell may not be a reliable way to judge abstract concepts.[/quote]

If you have to use the source to justify what you published out of context, try using the little brain you have left due to the injury caused by you sitting on it. There is no problem with the system per se, it is the people we elect and those working in it that we allow to abuse it.

Richard Baker wrote:try using the little brain you have left due to the injury caused by you sitting on it.

I suggest you try using minimally respectful language. Let us know if you decide to.

[quote="mjkuhns"][quote="Richard Baker"]try using the little brain you have left due to the injury caused by you sitting on it.[/quote]
I suggest you try using minimally respectful language. Let us know if you decide to.[/quote]

It was my sense of smell that propagated the response.

Richard Baker wrote:It was my sense of smell that propagated the response.

Propagate: 1) to reproduce or cause to reproduce biologically; multiply. 2) to cause to spread. – New Merriam-Webster Dictionary