In the House of Wood

Opinion

Discussion

March 29, 2012

In the House of Wood

Goodbye, Pledge

Steve Woodhouse Journal-Express The Zope Gazette Thu Mar 29, 2012, 01:32 PM CDT

Knoxville —

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic, for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

I’m sure you know that saying. I can remember reciting daily when I was in school. When I look at the words now, they almost seem meaningless.

There are disputes with nearly every aspect of the pledge now, but I am going to focus on that whole “and justice for all” segment.

Last week, an Iowa House subcommittee, which included Jim VanEngelenhoven, voted down the idea of allowing a judge to appoint a special investigator into Rep. Erik Helland. Helland is suspected of trying to bribe his Republican primary opponent to get out of the race. This is a couple years after Helland was busted for driving under the influence.

The rationale behind the Republicans’ decision is that Helland’s opponent was not in a role defined by the Legislature as holding the potential for bribery.

What? Shouldn’t potential political opponents be among the most likely people to be bribed by sitting elected officials? To me, they should be.

But this is one of the many, MANY advantages of being a sitting legislator. You don’t have to play by the same rules as everyone else.

Just like on the federal level, it is not illegal for Congressman to commit insider trading crimes or to enrich themselves through legislation. But if you and I were to try to insider trading, they would throw the book at us.

Just like the numerous tax cheats discovered within the Democratic Party. Did they face charges? No, they did not. In fact, most of them continue to collect healthy, taxpayer funded paychecks and will not have to worry about expenses for anything for the rest of their lives.

Does this sound like “justice for all?”

While we’re on the topic of justice, let’s talk about what the Legislature thinks of Iowa’s Judicial System, shall we?

Rep. Dan Kelley, who answered my questions about Judicial Branch funding a couple weeks ago - VanEngelenhoven did not - indicated that the House Republicans proposed a FY13 budget, for the Judicial Branch, of $156 million. This is the same amount as the current fiscal year. Funding to the branch has not been restored since cuts were made during Democrat Chet Culver’s Administration. Moreover, the Republicans voted down an amendment to increase the budget by $4 million, though the state apparently has a budget surplus.

I know the people in black robes are unpopular with Republicans since the Varnum decision. I think Republicans need to get over it and recognize that the judicial branch is a full third of the state government that performs an essential function. Of any of the branches, the judicial branch can have the biggest impact on an Iowan’s home and family. The branch deserves respect, proper funding and should not be handicapped by anyone’s political games.

But Iowa House Republicans are not the only ones who can play that. Look at what’s been discussed at the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) this week.

Our SCOTUS justices are selected by Presidents, who inherently have their own beliefs and ideologies regarding how the country should operate. The justices are confirmed by the Senate, full of Senators so beholden to their parties that opening their minds and making independent decisions is unheard of. Obviously, those justices confirmed by the Senate meet the approval of the political party in power.

Can anyone say the justices are truly impartial when weighing legislation, when they had to depend on political approval to get where they are? Justice Sonya Sotomayor asked this week why Congress couldn’t settle the health care issue.

They did, Madame Justice. It’s up to you to see if their actions were Constitutional.

Justice Elena Kagan did not have the decency to recuse herself from this discussion, though she advocated the very legislation SCOTUS is reviewing, in her former life as Solicitor General. Is there a way politics will not play a role in her vote when one is taken?

I think that justice for all is getting harder and harder to achieve. To me, justice is not getting everything you want or have everything go your way. Justice means that the system worked, and the best outcome was achieved through honesty, with integrity.

The system seems to be breaking down, as honesty and integrity continue to become things of America’s past instead of its fabric.

Take care of yourself and thank you for reading.

Text Only

Opinion

Memorial Day A Memorial Day poem On this beautiful Memorial Day We humbly bow our heads To pay homage to our fighting men The living and the Dead. Let us also hold in reverence The wives and mothers too, Who gave a husband or a son To die for me and you. Gre
May 24, 2013
Slices of Life: I'll do it later "Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today." Thomas Jefferson Yeah right. I've been meaning to write a column about procrastination - I just never got around to it. Besides, I'm not sure even Thomas Jefferson could abide by his own words 100
May 17, 2013
Some of the lessons of motherhood I've been on the job for more than 21 years, without a day off for longevity, illness, endurance or good behavior. I'm not complaining. I wouldn't want a day off. Not a whole day, anyway. Although I do appreciate 10 minutes under a hot shower within
May 10, 2013
A thought for you How often do you stop and think How much you owe your mother And if she goes away for good You never have another How often do you realize Just how much she's worth The trouble she had raising you That started in at birth And as a child, the care you
May 10, 2013
No Headline Provided To the Editor: In your recent article, "Controversy at Board of Health Meeting", the board had a problem at a meeting and blamed their argument on Robert's Rules of Order. They now plan to discuss whether to use Robert's Rules in the future. Your art
May 10, 2013
The bonds of preschool It was a party 14 years in the making. Attendees included nine moms who met when our kids were in preschool. Now, we came together to anticipate and celebrate those same preschoolers' high school graduations. We sat around a long table at a local res
May 3, 2013
The Sinclair Report
This year’s legislative session was scheduled to last 110 days. We reached that mark on Friday, May 3. Though we are in the final days of the first year of the 85^th General Assembly, our adjournment date remains uncertain.

May 2, 2013 1 Photo
Medicaid expansion will help property tax payers Opponents of Medicaid expansion have mischaracterized the effect its implementation would have on Iowa counties. In pointing out the fact that more Iowans with a need for mental health services would be covered and funded with federal dollars, it is
May 1, 2013
Letter to the Editor To the Editor: I appreciate your candor in explaining your use of quotation marks around the word "affordable" in news stories regarding the Affordable Care Act. The issue here is not affordability but credibility. News is to be presented objectively
May 1, 2013
Iowa's child care, early education providers call for worthy wages For over 20 years, at the beginning of each May, child care providers and other early childhood professionals nationwide recognize Worthy Wage Day (May 1), raising public awareness to highlight the importance of child care provider compensation as pa
May 1, 2013
More Opinion Headlines

Opinion

Search Results

Discussion

In the House of Wood

Goodbye, Pledge

Do you intend to volunteer for RAGBRAI®'s stop in Knoxville?

Site Map

Contact Us