Let Courage Beget Courage
It’s time to step up and do your constitutional duty.
Sounds trite, but this simple sentence is super important right now with respect to Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. This “law of the land” says:
Are you thinking of who I’m thinking of? There’s actually a whole crowd of people who fit this category based on the events of December 2020 and January 2021, with the list of defendants in the current Georgia case being just the beginning.
And no, before you ask, no one needs to be convicted of an offense in a courtroom to be classified as “unqualified” under this law. In fact, before you ask a ton of questions about how this law works, I suggest you read this law review article by two esteemed legal scholars who just happen to be pretty darn conservative. Or read any of the similar opinions coming out from experts from all across the political spectrum.
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Back to the topic at hand, it seems like a degree of courage is going to be required for this law to be applied. In this situation, local and state elections officials are the tip of the spear. As the article spells out, it is their sworn duty to apply this law as diligently as any other candidate qualification (such as age, residency, etc.).
What I fear is the intimidation that is likely to be visited upon these thousands of officials across the country, just for doing their jobs well. We’ve seen this kind of thing already, and it’s so sad that so few prosecutions have arisen as a result. The mood in this country is foul, the divisiveness corrosive – but you don’t need me to repeat that. However, it crosses many lines (legal, moral, etc.) when people resort to threats and actual violence aimed at law-abiding election officials.
To help calm things down, maybe we can all summon some courage, regardless of the hurdles in our way. Let’s agree to show up at the polls to vote. Let’s learn about the issues, the candidates, and the ever more complex and intimidating (there’s that word again) process we must navigate just to cast a vote. Let’s obtain the necessary ID where that’s now a requirement. Basically, let’s participate in democracy with gusto.
Finally, here’s another call to action that I really want to emphasize. Let’s support our local election officials as they do the right thing, as they uphold their oath and implement this law. Let’s ensure that they know we are behind them. Let’s ensure that our local and state governments are also behind them, such that everyone knows that violent or threatening behavior towards our election officials will not be tolerated by our law enforcement agencies or our communities writ large.
Let’s all step up for those who are doing their constitutional duty. Let’s show our courage so they can show theirs.
President at Partnering for Peace: Friends of Peace Corps and Rotary International
1 年I hope to serve my precinct. I already took the classes. Very well,done!