PAtownhall.com
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
PAtownhall.com
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
by Chris Freind
Wouldn't it be great if our leaders would simply do the right thing, free from hidden agendas and focus groups? If that sounds like common sense, remember the words of Voltaire: "Common sense is not so common."
How right he was.
In that spirit, the following are just a few ideas for a common-sense Christmas wish list:
Reign in the Courts
All too often, conservatives talk about the need to "end judicial activism", stop judges from "legislating from the bench", and replacing them with those who are touted as "strict constructionalists". That's sounds great to people like William Buckley and Robert Bork. But for the rest of us who think strict constructionalists are workers who diligently adhere to building blueprints, you lost us. So two wishes here.
First, if you want to convince the great majority that your ideas are right, then simply say so in plain, everyday language. Why the need for the high-brow rhetoric? No one will agree with you, or think you're cool, if they don't know what you're saying.
Second, the court situation. Judges continue to vastly overstep their bounds, and in the process, violate the Constitution. As we all learned in sixth-grade civics, the job of the judiciary is to "interpret the law", not make it. Yet too many of these judges are doing just that, usurping the job of elected legislators. The consequences affect us all, and, ironically, no one seems willing to take the Courts to task. The most classic example of a Court gone astray is the landmark case Roe vs. Wade, which legalized abortion in 1973. Forget your position on the issue---that's irrelevant. The Supreme Court made law instead of interpreting it, thereby short-circuiting the political process and establishing a horrible precedent. That decision severely eroded a pillar of American strength---respect for the rule of law in a democracy.
Things haven't gotten a whole lot better. Closer to home, we have a judge who ruled in favor of the City of Philadelphia and against SEPTA over the decision to eliminate paper transfers, which allow riders to switch to connecting routes. Again, whether you agree with the transit agency's decision makes no difference. What matters is that a judge exceeded his power, and the law, by intervening in an issue outside his jurisdiction. The job of a judge is simple: determine if the law is constitutional. Period. The elimination of transfers is clearly not unconstitutional, so once again, we have individuals making the law. Isn't that called a dictatorship?
But where is the legislature defending its rights? Too busy giving themselves, and the judges, unconstitutional payraises. Go figure.
Ramadan "Yes", Christmas "No!"
I know I'm not supposed to talk about Christmas, since it is clearly a racist and bigoted holiday, but since this column is a Christmas wish list, too bad.
Esteemed Congressman Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) voted in favor of a resolution recognizing Ramadan as "the holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal for Muslims worldwide"; it further stated that "the Islamic faith (is) one of the great religions of the world".
Okay, fine. No issue with that. In fact, I used to feast after sundown with Muslim friends during Ramadan.
But here's what is unfathomable. Schwartz didn't vote "Yes" on a similar resolution regarding Christmas. Instead, she voted "Present". Talk about your political courage. This resolution stated "the Christian faith (is) one of the great religions of the world," (how is that different from the Islamic resolution?), and expressed "continued support for Christians," especially those who are persecuted. Maybe it was the part about Christmas (or is it "X-mas"?) being "...celebrated annually by Christians throughout the United States and around the world" that Schwartz found offensive. Or maybe it was Santa's "ho-ho-ho" that she found derogatory toward women. That must be it---a sexist St. Nick.
Of course, Congressman Schwartz had no comment. Imagine that.
Brian Westbrook: Running Back, Thief
It doesn't appear that our star Eagles player has returned all of the three million he received in error by the team. You remember--- the cash he was overpaid almost two years ago? I know it's tough living off his salary, but this crime has gone unpunished, and un-addressed, for far too long.
Here's hoping that the should-be felon finds the Christmas spirit, admits he was dead-wrong, and returns what is not his---in its entirety, and with interest. The owner, the fans and his teammates deserve nothing less.
It's not like he's going anywhere after the regular season.
Merry Christmas!
