OPINION: Principles are more important than politicians
Kootenai County Democrats strive to elevate loyalty to principles over loyalty to politicians. It’s what makes us different from the opposing party. No president is a God above the law.
Upon taking office a Congressperson will, “solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”
As Americans, we take a small measure of comfort in knowing that whoever sits in the Oval Office, our nation is governed by the rule of law and Constitutional guard rails. It is vital to elect leaders who will honor the rule of law, elevate principles over politics, and keep these Constitutional guard rails in place.
On Sunday, President Joe Biden announced that he would not seek re-election. Rather, he threw his entire weight behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
We applaud President Biden for his selfless decision to place the future of our nation ahead of personal political ambition.
As we look to the future, Democrats are driven to protect our freedoms and safeguard our Democracy by electing people of character and integrity.
This commitment has motivated 11 talented community leaders to run for the State Legislature this November: bit.ly/m/KCDemsCandidates
If the candidate honors the rule of law, respects the Constitution, and has the talent and tenacity to fight for a future for all Americans, we are behind them.
Democrats are more unified than ever. This is because we have always declared our allegiance to principles and the Constitution over politicians.
As Kamala Harris gains momentum as a presidential candidate, she must earn the nomination. She certainly exemplifies the principles that we as Democrats appreciate.
We must make sure that whoever is in the White House will pave a path for future generations to enjoy the same rights and privileges that we enjoy today — no matter who is president four years from now, eight years from now, or 100 years from now.
This is why the specter of a Trump presidency is so unthinkable.
Presidents swear an oath of office to "faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States" Amendment XII of the Constitution sets out the manner of election of the president while Amendment XXII limits presidential terms.
We have seen that a Democratic president, having sworn an oath of office, will step aside to make way for a future leader. We do not have that same assurance from Trump who refused to accept the results of the last election. He continues to refuse to affirm that he would accept the results of any election not in his favor, and that consequently he is willing to terminate "all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution."
We have heard in Trump's own words what he will do with his now unfettered power if re-elected. Trump’s close friends and colleagues at the Heritage Foundation drafted “Project 2025” outlining horrifying plans.
Military force will be used against immigrant civilians. Women will be criminally prosecuted for having an abortion, regardless of the heartbreaking circumstances that created that situation. Pregnant women will also be logged into a national database as part of a government monitoring program. The Department of Justice will become the president’s personal weapon of mass destruction.
Trump defenders often roll their eyes at alarmist accounts of his words by saying he’s taken too literally and that these horrible things are said in jest for his supporters. But this is less convincing after Trump became the first president ever to deny that he lost an election and called on supporters to “fight like hell” on Jan. 6, 2021, followed by an invasion of the U.S. Capitol.
Permanant leadership from a popular politician seems comforting and appealing when the guy you like is the one in charge. But American democracy falls apart when it is overly dependent on one man, or woman.
Republicans are voting for the man, the caricature. Democrats are voting for American democratic principles. This is why President Biden’s announcement is creating unity, hope and momentum — not chaos.
“The work that we must do now, while unprecedented, is clear,” said Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison. “In the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. Democrats are prepared and united in our resolve to win in November. As we move forward to formally select our Party’s nominee, our values as Democrats remain the same.”
As Democrats, we continue to honor our Constitution and the rule of law that safeguard our rights and freedoms. It is imperative that we act to protect and defend both against those forces which seek to weaken and eliminate them in their quest for personal power and privilege.
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Signed in unity, The Kootenai County Democratic Executive Committee:
Evan Koch
Jan Studer
Paula Neils
Carolyn Mattoon
Tom Hearn
Brian Seguin
Paula Marano
Adam Bennett
Sarah Glenn