On 'We, the people'

This whole drawn out, ghastly Schiavo matter has been extremely troubling from the perspective of democratic principles. The founding fathers devised our Constitution to delineate clearly the powers of the different branches of government, namely the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. This is called the separation of powers, and such a separation is necessary because a democracy needs checks and balances to ensure no one branch assumes overall control.

Unfortunately, the current Administration hellbent on spending some of their self-proclaimed earned 'political capital'--I speak of the executive branch, of course--sought to interfere with this dependable doctrine and usurp the power of another branch of government. It has interfered in what is essentially a private matter (or at best a matter that falls within the jurisdiction of a State). Moreover, simultaneously, the Congress--the legislative branch--sought to interfere and usurp the powers of the judiciary in the matter.

This is a dangerous precedent and we should all be troubled. The fundamentalists drove these two branches to act. They have no respect for those who disagree, nor do they respect the Constitution of the United States. In addition, their hypocrisy
makes me nauseous: they have recently vociferously proclaimed the sanctity of marriage and now seek to interfere with this so-called sanctity by urging the government to interfere and overrule Michael Schiavo's decision. They can not have their cake and eat it. Every rational American should watch their actions and take note of the things to come if they were to get their way.

I am glad a backlash has occurred against the Administration and Congress. It is 'We, the people' collectively, who share the burdens and benefits under our Constitution. Provisions of the Constitution are not to be cherrypicked or for the sole benefit of political hacks and private constituencies. It is also 'We, the people' who must protect it and be vigilant.

[technorati: US Constitution, separation of powers, christian fundamentalists, Congress]