“Government of the people, by the people, and for the people” is no longer an American Ideal having been replaced with Government of Special Interest, by Special Interest, and for Special Interest. President Abraham Lincoln’s immortal words in the Gettysburg Address eloquently epitomized the Continental Congress’ intent when they composed the Preamble of the United States Constitution:
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Unfortunately, many politicians in both the federal and state legislatures have forgotten that governance is based on Constitutional principles, both state constitutions and the U.S. Constitution. Instead, many politicians now serve Special Interest agendas, turning their back on what the People of America and Idaho really want. We see that playing out in the backlash of numerous town hall meetings, public protests, and calls and emails to legislators. In Idaho, two of those Special Interest groups are the Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF), associated with the State Policy Network and the Idaho Federation for Children, which is directly associated with the American Federation for Children. These Special Interest groups support far right legislators through campaign contributions or put money against candidates who oppose their agendas.
House Bill 93, recently passed and signed by Governor Little, is the demonstration of such loyalty to Special Interest. Despite an outpouring of opposition to the bill from various organizations, but most importantly, the People of Idaho, legislators in both the House and Senate approved the bill. Governor Little even solicited input from Idahoans on whether he should veto it or sign it into law, and more than 37,000 residents called or emailed the Governor’s office to weigh in. In spite of the 87% of Idahoans who wanted the bill vetoed, Governor Little signed the bill into law.
Legislators like Representatives Wendy Horman (R) District 32, Mike Moyle (R) District 10, and Senators Lori Den Hartog (R) District 22, Brian Lenny (R) District 13, and others appear to have no interest in what their constituents want. Instead, their loyalty lies with Special Interest groups and their agendas. Funding from these groups help them get elected.
Prior to entering education, I served 20 years in the Marine Corps to ensure we have a Government of the People. As President Lincoln stated in his address on that hallowed battlefield, the lives lost to preserve a “Government of the people, by the people, and for the people” should not be in vain.
Our legislators, both at the state and federal levels, need reminded that they work for the People. House Bill 93 is a good place to start. While the People of Idaho will have to live with the bill for the time being, there is a way to have your voices heard in a more profound way that cannot be ignored – through referendum. Voters in Nebraska, Kentucky, and Colorado soundly defeated the legislative push for vouchers in their states. Idaho voters, through a referendum, can let legislators know that we’ve had enough of governance by Special Interest, and that if they want to stay in office, that they need to govern based on the will of the People.
