Bring Back The Rule Of Law

To the Editor:

Excuse me, but has the United States Constitution changed since I was in high school? My excellent, dedicated teachers in civics taught me that there were three separate and distinct parts to our government: the executive to administer, the judicial to enforce and pass on the legality of the laws, and the legislative to make the laws.

In recent years I have witnessed an alarming erosion of these principles, particularly by the judicial branch. They have taken unto themselves the authority  to make the laws! The most blatant example just occurred in Florida during the current Presidential election.

In spite of a clear, unequivocal law that specified the timeliness requirements for vote certification, the Florida Supreme Court decided to change the law. They did not declare it unconstitutional, only that, apparently, they felt it was unfair. So what? Lots of  things in life are unfair. The authority to make a new law rests solely with the Legislature. Rewriting a new law in not the court’s job!

When will we ever put this judicial genie back in the bottle and bring back to our government the rule of law as clearly defined by our Constitution?

Robert J. Tynan

11 Saw Mill Ridge Road                                November 27, 2000