RIGHTS: Council fails its citizens

America was founded as a republic. We elect representatives to do the governmental functions necessary for the operation of society.

On June 4 there was a City Council meeting that addressed an ordinance that was supposedly to protect against unlawful forms of discrimination. I’d just gotten off a 10-hour work day. I was tired, hungry and just wanted to go to bed. However, because I didn’t trust my representatives to make the right decision, I went to that meeting and waited for more than three hours in order to make my voice heard. And I wasn’t alone. More than 400 people were present, and it was plain and obvious that the vast majority was, like me, against this ill-advised ordinance. Yet it still passed, 5 to 1.

This isn’t how a republic is to operate. It’s become apparent through this instance that you, as our City Council, (Councilman Adams exempted) aren’t representing the people of our city. If we cannot trust you as our elected officials to represent us, the people, then it is time for new representation.

Anti-discrimination ordinances can only protect against discrimination toward a person’s Constitutional rights and/or their unchangeable characteristics. To go any further is to step beyond the proper role of government. Sodomy is neither a constitutional right, nor an unchangeable. This is legally and biologically a proven fact. Therefore, this ordinance is unnecessary and dangerous and I entreat you — do the right thing, repeal this ill-advised ordinance.

BRADY SMITH

Coeur d’Alene