Letters: Bypassing normal governmental processes; Common ground for Corman, Wolf?
Bypassing normal governmental processes
Republican state legislators are working hard to undo our three-branch system of government that has served us well for over 200 years — and, simultaneously, treating the state constitution as a plaything. Trying to retain power at any cost, and unable to achieve their goals through legislation, they’re resorting to constitutional amendments to get what they want.
This is dangerous.
They started by interfering with the executive branch. In the May 2021 primary, two constitutional amendments were proposed to restrict the governor’s emergency powers, both the result of Republican legislators’ frustrations with Governor Wolf’s science-based approach to COVID. Voters were provided inadequate and confusing information about the amendments. Legislators know that ballot questions have an extraordinarily high success rate because voters typically say “yes” when they’re not sure how to answer! And legislators time ballot questions to appear during low-turnout primaries.
The result? A very small minority of Pennsylvania citizens (about 13% of registered voters) limited the ability of the governo — current and future — to protect the public during an emergency.
Now they’re moving to the judiciary. Republican legislators are working on a constitutional amendment to eliminate statewide elections for Pennsylvania’s appellate judges, in favor of regional districts, thereby extending gerrymandering to judges. Isn’t it bad enough that our legislature is seriously gerrymandered? What happens when judges become pawns in a power play?
And what happens when our state Constitution becomes a catchall for legislative failures?
Let’s not allow Republicans to ditch democracy to stay in power.
Common ground for Corman, Wolf?
In reading about Gov. Wolf’s budget proposal to spend an additional $1.25 billion on K through 12 education, I was surprised to then read on state Sen. Jake Corman’s gubernatorial campaign page that he also supports public education to the max. Given that Corman has said nothing nice about Wolf, I was delighted to see them on the same page for once.
OK, Gov. Wannabe didn’t say he would increase spending but he did say (and I quote): “For the future of Pennsylvania, we must make sure our children are receiving the best education.”
Wolf also said he wanted to make sure underserved schools received adequate funding, an issue that’s been around the commonwealth almost as long as I have. Corman said: He “will make sure kids get a first-class education regardless of their zip code.”
So there you have it. Two peas in a pod. Assuming Corman is a man of his word and his campaign statement isn’t just bait and switch, I’m expecting his support for Wolf’s increased spending on education.
Wake up time for America
“For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 50: 10-12) “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”
“But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?” “Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee” (Vs. 15-17).
“These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.”
“Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.”
“Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.” (Vs. 21-23).
It is way past time for America to wake up and to repent and to return to God. When we do, God will hear and answer our prayers for freedom from oppression. Tyrannical governments will come tumbling down for all to see. Amen Glory to God alone ...