CAUCUS: Violation of Constitution

Constitutions govern governments. They prescribe the essential structure and organization of government and they distribute powers among the various branches and states of government. Idaho state allows opportunity for orderly change through the process of primary and general elections. One of these engines of change is the Caucus.

Last summer, in Moscow, the State Republican Party Commission decided to employ lawful political process and have a Republican Caucus, March 6, 2012, throughout Idaho. In my opinion this process violates the general electorate the opportunity to express themselves as provided by Articles I and XII of the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights. The process could smack an elitist attempt to sway a presidential candidate to their liking and not the liking of the general public.

It is a denial to registered electors the opportunity to use absentee ballot, of those who are disabled, in the military, “out of towners,” and others who would ordinarily vote in a primary for a potential presidential candidate.

Personally, I have represented and supported the United States of America and used my freedom to vote for a presidential candidate in the primaries and general election in the last 56 years.

I used the opportunity to choose whom I think would be the right trustee for America who is capable to use their own judgment in reaching legislative decisions. My candidate would also have to be a delegate and represent my desires for a successful America even though my thoughts could be disregarded. A Caucus will deny my opportunity to express my voter rights.

A primary election is a chance for me to enjoy this gift of freedom our gallant defenders of America gave me. I too, defended the United States in the Korean Era. This critical time, I resent the Republican Party taking away my freedom of choosing the proper candidate of whom I think could be the entrusted representative of the United States of America. Being disabled, I don’t relish the thought of loud and jostling crowds and a potential swayed electoral process.

JOHN C. PICKARD

Cataldo