Saving our democracy

SAVING OUR DEMOCRACY Deep and ever worsening political division has created an atmosphere of hate and distrust that clouds rational thought in our country. It is impossible to be objective when you are angry, upset or too emotional about an issue or a preconceived belief. Precedence, continuity, and the rule of law are fundamental to organized society. The balance of power is essential to American democracy. I promise.

I’m a New Orleans native with law degrees from both Loyola Law School and Tulane Law School. I have practiced law since 1981. In the 1970s, the Democratic Party was dominant in Louisiana and I became a democrat by default. I joined the Republican Party 29 years ago at the age of 40 and I remain a moderate Republican today. Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one.

The main point of this post is to explain that every thing that Donald Trump was elected to accomplish can and should be accomplished through established constitutional legal procedures, that do not destroy the separation of powers. Common sense is nowhere to be found. Hatred, false, and misleading information is spewed daily on social media and in the news. This really is an unprecedented time.

Our Republican Party dominates all aspects of government. Republicans hold the House, the Senate, the Supreme Court, and the Presidency. Claiming that the Constitution or laws do not need to be followed because one elected person has decided to ignore them is not the right. It seems that disregarding the law might be deemed acceptable by half of the population and a majority of the Republican Party. This is the problem with that approach.

If the law is disregarded and changes occur in violation of established law, it will leave a large portion of the population, angry, bitter, and determined to combat what has been perceived as unlawful behavior. Essentially, things will continue to deteriorate and violence and other disruptive actions are likely to occur. However, things do not need to be that way.

If the Republican Party uses its dominance in all branches of government to lawfully enact the agenda that President Trump was elected to implement, those who disagree with that agenda will have no standing to complain. They will have no option but to accept the changes that have occurred, and our country will be able to move forward as it should.

People who express an honest opinion in good faith should not be subjected to hatred, ridicule, retaliation, or threats because that option is not consistent with anyone’s point of view. However, there is an obvious solution that would allow the national electoral mandate to be implemented, without destroying democracy, the judiciary, or our form of government in the process.

This opinion is not a political one, but rather written out of true concern for the survival of democracy and our government. The way that we are proceeding now is dangerous and likely to cause irreparable damage to our country. There really is no reason for things to proceed in this manner.

We can cut out governmental waste, reduce the size of government, and protect our borders, while complying with the Constitution and laws that have made our country the greatest country in history. Following the normal lawful process to implement a national agenda will eliminate all grounds for objection or disagreement by Democrats or anyone else who might object as a matter of law. The agenda can be implemented legally, and unfavorable laws can be repealed or modified by Congress. It’s the right thing to do.