KCRCC: Brent Regan’s world

Brent Regan asks, “Would you rather live in a society governed by the rule of law or one in which the emotions of the moment govern?”

America is a nation founded on the principle of equal treatment under the law, where settled law and trust in our legal system are fundamental. However, this system is not immune to manipulation. Reinterpretations of the law — often driven by deep pockets and endless appeals — can distort justice, allowing bad actors to escape accountability with little more than a financial penalty.

Whether it’s a wealthy, power-hungry president or the well-financed leader of a private political organization, the system can fail when confronted by autocrats intolerant of dissent.

Case in point: Kathleen Tillman did not resign from her precinct position. If she had, why was she present at the meeting May 27?

Yet Mr. Regan, in pursuit of a two-thirds majority on the board, appears to rely on questionable interpretations of party rules to oust NIR members who were duly elected to the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC). While the KCRCC may be a private club, it wields tremendous influence — determining who appears on our ballots — and in doing so, performs a grave disservice to the public.

This political gatekeeping discourages civic-minded individuals from seeking office. After all, who in their right mind wants to run against a political machine hostile to independent thought and allergic to community-first leadership?

REID HARLOCKER

Coeur d’Alene