Lawlessness

It seems a bit extreme to hear someone call our government, or portions thereof, lawless, but upon reflection I am concerned.

Federal agencies have been and continue to issue huge numbers of regulations. These regulations carry the force of law and historically have been issued to implement laws that have been passed by Congress and signed by the President. Currently many regulations are being proposed to implement ideas that have not yet been directly passed by Congress. Federal agencies are not supposed to be creators of law. As an example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should not be able to ban up to 80% of woodstoves without Congressional action.

The President has arbitrarily been changing laws (including the Affordable Care Act) by granting waivers, changing requirements, and delaying timetables that were set by Congress and signed by him. The president, according to the Constitution, is to carry out the laws of the land and Congress is to make those laws. He has also has ordered the non-enforcement of laws he doesn’t agree with including in the areas of immigration and drug enforcement.

Our Judicial system often seems to be creating new laws rather than just adjudicating the law and ensuring that laws are not in conflict with the Constitution. Judges have struck down portions of State Constitutions as not being constitutional and in Virginia, the State Attorney General, due to his personal political beliefs; will not argue on the behalf of the citizens who through due process amended their State Constitution.

Congress has been just as guilty with delegating their powers to commissions and back-room dealers. Last years “gang of eight” proposed a transfer of power from the legislative to the executive, thereby circumventing normal checks and balances required by the Constitution.

A number of States have criminalized an unknown number of their own citizens due to gun control laws that far exceed any federal laws designed to comply with the second amendment. These gun control laws seem to be based upon cosmetics rather than function. In other words, big scary guns are bad! Now law-abiding citizens find themselves in the situation of becoming a “criminal” if they own one of the banned firearms, even when the Constitution says they have the right to own it.

These are but a few of the actions we can see happening in our nation. America was designed to be a nation of laws, where citizens and their elected representatives were subject to the same law. A nation where men or women, could not alter the law except through due process where the public could see the actions. We are a country where the majority cannot take the rights away from the minority ever.

No matter if you agree or disagree with the President, his federal agencies, our judges, Congress or your state governments, I believe that you should be concerned. If you agree with those I’ve pointed out above, remember that at some point the other guys will be in charge and they will only be bound by the limits on our current leaders. If you disagree, do you want those you support to someday have far more power than the Constitution gives them?

Our nation was and has been a nation of laws. Not perfect, but it’s still better than any other form of government tried upon this earth. For 200 years we strove to improve it and repaired damage from those who weakened the system. Today we see some of our elected leaders and appointed judges taking actions which threaten that very system again.

Contrary to statements by some partisan politicians, I believe that people on both sides of any issue can be a part of our community, as long as they exhibit civility to others and accept the concept of rule of law as defined by our American Constitution. When the people you support are in positions of power, they should have no more power than when the people you oppose are in charge.

Every American should loudly proclaim that we stand for the rule of law and oppose the rule of men. It is the only way to prevent lawlessness.

Kneejerk Reactions

As the National Grange Master/President, every now and then I am quoted on a topic for a news release, by the media, or I write a blog or article. Often it draws no comment and one wonders if anyone reads it. Occasionally, it draws a bit of opposition and support and people send comments or emails to me. 

It is a fact that people who like something send in their comments in far fewer numbers than those who dislike something you have said. What is interesting is how few opposing comments are civil and respectful. Depending upon the topic, the response normally is an attack on my intelligence, a questioning of my values, an accusation of partisanship, or the charge that I’ve abandoned the Grange values.

If criticism of an elected official’s actions or words is made, their supporters will quickly jump to their defense. If a Grange policy is promoted that someone disagrees with, then the messenger is wrong. This gives me more evidence that the highly-charged partisan world we live in has serious problems.

I believe that the extreme partisanship we see in many politicians is the result, not of their leadership, but of the intolerance of their constituents. When we as the people, are not being civil and tolerant, why would many of our elected representatives choose to be above the fray? And those who disagree with the disrespectful often find themselves labeled as extremist simply for a difference in opinion.

When we react to things without thinking, or take the position that we are right and any differing view is wrong, it is human nature not to listen. Regardless of if your point of view is partisan or a specific policy position, the moment you cease to listen to other viewpoints, your argument is weakened and you cease adding to the discussion.

America and the Grange are supposed to be places where disagreement is acceptable; where the minority can express themselves and have a voice; where the majority has its way within our broad structure, yet takes no rights away from the minority; where each listens to the opinions of all.

The Grange encourages healthy, civil debate among its members. Discussion of issues and events are done outside the partisan arena and only our members create Grange policies. We view elected officials as representing all their constituents, and criticism or accolades are given based on their actions, not party affiliation.

When our members react in an uncivil “kneejerk” fashion, we explain why that position was taken. The teaching of Grange philosophy in the area of civility remains a constant process. New members are often unaware of this fundamental value and grow to appreciate it. Older members can forget this value on occasion and be thankful for a gentle reminder.

America needs the Grange philosophy of civility and respect for all. Our doors are open to any wishing to explore this old-fashioned idea. As our members say throughout the country, “Welcome to the Grange!”

Congress Needs To Make Their PILT Payments

The budget recently passed gives us a deficit reduction while increasing spending by 45 billion dollars. The reductions are based upon a 10 year projection while the increases are immediate. Do you remember the last time the government met a 10 year projection?

In addition, the payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) program ended with the June 2013 payment to rural counties. Now Congress says they’re going to fix the problem without increasing spending.

PILT payments are essential to many rural counties throughout America, especially in the western and southern portions of our nation. Many of our rural counties are composed of 50 to over 90 percent federal lands. The federal government does not pay taxes on these lands, but have for years compensated those counties with PILT payments. 

Rural counties tend to have small and efficient government, simply because they don’t have many resources to start with. Low population and an agricultural or natural resource base tend not to generate the tax dollars that dense populations and industry do. Yet a rural county means schools, law enforcement, health care and more are often spread across a large area and that distance creates an increased cost to deliver basic services.

Many of these counties are dependent upon the small business, farms, ranches, and tourists that use these federal lands. Yet the Forest Service, BLM and other agencies ultimately control the fate of those counties by their management or restrictions of these public lands.

Congress must deal with this issue quickly or many county governments will be adversely impacted this year. I worry that Congress will once again act too late or not at all. If they act, will they create a solution or just band-aid the problem and kick it down the road until after the next election?

Our county governments have enough uncertainty without Congress adding more. Congress needs to re-implement the PILT payments this spring. Their challenge is to do so without just printing more money. Perhaps a return of a portion of the public lands to those counties and allowing them manage these lands for the benefit of the county is a solution. Ranchers and foresters might welcome local management that recognizes the uniqueness of their local area. Tourists might welcome local people who open up the parks when Washington shuts down temporarily.

No idea is perfect, but not making PILT payments does nothing but harm to our rural county governments.

Tear Down The Barricades

150 years ago, Abraham Lincoln ended the Gettysburg Address with, “that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Today, our government barricades our national monuments to prevent our citizens, including our aging veterans, from paying their respects to the heroes and heroines of our nation. Monuments that only saw temporary barriers following 9-11 now are blocked not due to threat, but because the administration wants to score political points.

The national mall is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; until now. The multitude of monuments commemorating great Americans, war heroes, and momentous events are open during the worst weather, during protests, and during previous government shutdowns. Yet our government is paying to barricade us from connecting with our heritage, paying our respects, and learning about our history because federal employees are furloughed. 

Lincoln did understand that the government is one of the people, by the people, and for the people. The actions of our government this week are ones of government over the people. Regardless of which party you are rooting for, no matter whether you want more or less government spending, denying our citizens access to our, and I mean our, national monuments is unacceptable.

Mr. President, please tell the Park Service to tear down those barricades! They belong to the American people! Those we elect and those hired to manage, maintain, and protect these treasures, work for us. No one has the right to deny citizens access to our monuments.

Whoever decided that punishing the American people in order to gain political advantage should lose their job.

Needed; Solutions not Blame

Reading and listening to the daily news and seeing and hearing what people write and talk about, then comparing that with what is going on in the world makes one wonder about our society’s priorities. Do we know what is important anymore?

This morning, our federal government partially shut down. Our President has stated that he will not negotiate, yet he places all blame on the opposition party. The Senate leadership just says, “no” to everything coming out of the House. The House passes multiple continuing resolutions to fund the government, but because the Senate refuses to consider them, one party is characterized as “doing nothing.” 

Our nation faces many serious problems ranging from out of control spending and debt to a lack of civility and tolerance of differences of opinion. 

Where, oh where are the “grown ups” now? When I was young, I had the example of adults who acted as grown ups. They worked together, they sought solutions, and they knew that they didn’t get to have everything their way. Hard work, honesty, and the milk of human kindness were their foundation.

It seems that there are not a lot of “grown ups” in politics. Partisan advantage, bickering for press coverage, and name calling seem to be far more important than finding solutions that help Americans.  Is it about blame, feeling good, and getting your own way? Is seeking viable solutions not really the goal?

Yet there are far more than politicians engaged in this behavior. Look at the disrespect shown to others in your state, in your community, and even in the organizations you choose to belong to. 

It is time for each American to put aside childish attitudes and begin the process of seeking solutions rather than seeking how to blame others. Stand up and be a leader who embraces differences of opinion and looks for the common ground. America needs more grown ups right now and hard work, honesty, and a kind spirit will do much good today. Anyone can demonize others, we need more people who seek solutions without assigning blame.