Vote no on judges

Opinion

Discussion

October 21, 2010

Greg Heartsill CNHI The Zope Gazette Thu Oct 21, 2010, 04:41 PM CDT

Chariton —

To the editor:

In a few short days, the citizens of Iowa once again have an opportunity to hold elected officials accountable for their performance in office. Moreover, it is our civic duty to hold elected AND unelected officials accountable. In this particular election cycle, there are three Iowa Supreme Court Justices who are up for a retention vote. The citizens of Iowa should recognize their responsibility and obligation by voting “NO” on all three Justices for their judicial activism and arrogant disregard for the separation of powers as prescribed by our Iowa Constitution.

We all remember in April 2009 when our state made national headlines from the Iowa Supreme Court’s unanimous decision to allow so-called homosexual matrimony. Not only did these Justices override the Defense of Marriage Act in the Iowa Code; not only did these Justices act outside their jurisdiction by legislating from the bench and then immediately demanding the enforcement of their opinion; but they also openly asserted in their written opinion that they can make up the rules as they go along.

For those who think this retention vote is just a spiteful, vengeful retaliation for an unpopular decision on a controversial matter, think again! You need to strongly consider the bigger picture. What we have are seven judges who look upon the citizens of Iowa with condescension and contempt and have claimed that they solely retain the power to make law out of thin air. If that is the case, then why have a legislative and executive branch? But more importantly and even more seriously, if that is their position on the law and the constitution of our state, then what other rights are in jeopardy? Property rights? Gun ownership? Parental rights? Freedom of speech? According to the Barnum decision, every right imaginable, and even unimaginable (according to the text of their opinion) are subject to the courts whim. That is not an impartial court making an unpopular decision, that is an out-of-control judicial branch imposing a tyrannical decree! If we Iowans truly prize our liberties and maintain our rights, as our state motto declares, then we need to take the first step in ending this tyranny, by voting “NO” on all three Supreme Court Justices who are up for a retention vote this year!

Greg Heartsill

Chariton

Text Only

Opinion

Another View
No, the tulips didn’t bloom in February, but according to local radio the tulips came out three weeks ahead of the scheduled Tulip Time. And didn’t Pella already set its annual festival a week early?

April 19, 2012
In the House of Wood
I don't think you're too stupid to be able to make your own decisions. Nor did America's founders. It just seems today that we are all in the minority.

April 13, 2012
Library features touted
In response to your opinion shared last week regarding the library expansion project, we would like to take the opportunity to speak to the citizens of Knoxville and beyond regarding the great need we see for this project. First, a few facts.

April 13, 2012
In the House of Wood
It is not my area of expertise to look into the future and make predictions. Look at the political endorsements I have made in the past. Almost all of them have been wrong. Nevertheless, I am quite confident that this prediction will come true.

April 6, 2012
Let people decide on socialized medicine
April 6, 2012
Strong Community Values
April 6, 2012
McKinley's Memos

Question: If you get an additional, somewhat significant, sum of money into your bank account, what is the course of action you would take regarding that new money?

March 29, 2012
Another View
I surprise myself with this title. Here’s how it happened. My husband and I wanted to visit D.C. and could afford to stay there only because a friend of a friend volunteered, “You can stay here.”

March 29, 2012
In the House of Wood
“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.”

March 29, 2012
In the House of Wood
There have been many stories out there this week, regarding a US soldier who killed approximately one dozen Afghan civilians, including women and children.

March 15, 2012
More Opinion Headlines

Opinion

Search Results

Discussion

Vote no on judges

How would you rank the performance of the Marion County Board of Supervisors?

Site Map

Contact Us