REDOUBT: Fess up, Brent

To Brent Regan: What about the American Redoubt, libertarian and religious fundamentalist philosophy? Why not be open and forthright about your intentions, Brent? Is there something to hide, something that the average resident or Republican may find suspect? Something that might cause a revolt, tossing the insurgent Constitution Party and Libertarians out of the local GOP?

Seizing power by getting like-minded people who drink the James Wesley, Rawles Kool-Aid — that’s the agenda, isn’t it? It’s taking advantage of people’s fears and it’s big money. It’s big business. How many people have squirreled away hundreds of pounds of now expired food believing that the end of the world is upon us? That Obama is the Anti-Christ or the Operation Jade Helm was a front to detain 350 million Americans in Walmarts-turned-concentration-camps?

With respect to how government is supposed to accomplish legislation in a democracy, it starts by finding middle ground, by listening to and respecting the needs and views of all parties subject to the actions of an elected body. Not everyone is created equal, not everyone has the ability to earn a six-figure income, or to even afford the basics. In part this is why we have government, to keep greed and self-indulgence from getting out of hand, and to protect those who truly need protecting. Shoving unpopular and even unconstitutional legislation down everyone’s throats because it suits the objectives of a minority, or avoiding the needs of working poor because you disagree with the president and the Supreme Court, that is wrong and it fails the freedom and liberty for all litmus test.

Brent, truthfulness is paramount when it comes to the people. All groups deserve a voice, and when something is contested the Constitution and courts have the final say, not ideologues masquerading as representatives of the people.

REID HARLOCKER

Hayden