Contributed by Kevin McCabe
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed . . .”
A recent op-ed from a local editor got me thinking about our Declaration of Independence and perhaps the most important and powerful words in that document. The Governed or “we the people” grant our consent to be governed. Without our consent the Government ceases to exist. This is fundamental to the Declaration, our Constitution, and our Bill of Rights.
The Alaska constitution echoes the US Constitution when it says:
“All political power is inherent in the people. All government originates with the people, is founded upon their will only and is instituted solely for the good of the people as a whole.”
What is missing from the Alaska Constitution is the follow-on verse in the US Constitution:
“– - That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, 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 mostly likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
WHOA! Is this what the recall Dunleavy rabble are trying to do? Abolish a government they don’t like? They didn’t spend the time to know Dunleavy’s platform when he was running - or maybe didn’t vote - and now they want to recall him; in effect withdrawing their consent because Dunleavy is doing what he said he would do. Can the rest of us, those who support Dunleavy, allow this perversion? Should we let a vocal few, with ties to non-profits, unions, or special interests, use this process to alter or abolish our government and remove our duly elected Governor?
It is unfortunate that those who did not vote at all in the last election opened the door for this recall effort. Alaska’s dismal voter turnout makes it easy for outsiders and special interests to take the first steps to abolish our government. Low voter turnout makes it easy because it shrinks the number of people needed on a recall petition (or a voter initiative). The Recall Dunleavy group is emboldened by the relatively low number of signatures needed. We should all be alarmed by this.
A statement attributed to Thomas Jefferson, but which more accurately came from Irish speaker, politician, lawyer and judge, John Philpot Curran's goes like this:
"The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt."
This statement, in recent centuries, has become “The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.”
Eternal vigilance includes voting; smart voting. We must be knowledgeable on the issues, candidates and their views on the issues, as well as the political process. When I was growing up, we were told “never talk politics or religion at the dinner table.” But during the formation of our great country that is ALL they talked about – at the dinner table, in the pubs, and in the pulpits. We need to get back to that ideal. The government is our responsibility and deserves more focus than a video game or Facebook.
Some apparently believe the way to express disdain for everything political, as well as for government, is to remove individual consent by not voting. During my campaign, I have heard and witnessed apathy or disinterest many times. I’ve heard: “I am not really political,” or “I am not sure what district I am in” and similar sentiments too many times to count. The problem is that low participation gives easy access to those who want to change our country into something most of us may not like. And, by the time we realize what is happening it is too late and we have a socialist paradise where 50 or 60% of our income goes to fund free stuff; or possibly a fundamentalist country, governed by the precepts and dogma of a single religion.
Lack of voter vigilance whether from apathy or low information will get us to those positions faster than any revolution. It will, in fact, abolish the current government; not via an armed insurrection but by a bloodless anonymous insurgency.
Like or Dislike Dunleavy, the recall effort sets a dangerous precedent. And if a voter did not vote in Dunleavy’s election it seems like they have no business signing a petition or voting to abolish his Governorship.
