John Nichols: Countering ‘elective despotism’

[iwishiwas]

John is spot on once again.





http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/column/john_nichols/article_3d7eb0df-8c33-599d-8fb6-d25c6896ba7f.html





......After America revolted, the sincere republicans among the founding circle endeavored to ensure that America would not replace the abuses of monarchs with the abuses of presidents or governors. “An elective despotism is not what we fought for,” observed Thomas Jefferson, who argued that “the powers of government should be so divided and balanced among general bodies of magistracy, as that no one could transcend their legal limits without being effectually checked and restrained by the others.”

Unfortunately, the system of checks and balances only prevents an “elective despotism” when branches of government are controlled by different factions. When one man holds the top job and his minions occupy supposedly separate stations of public power, the monarchy is recreated under the guise of democracy. While elections may be held, the victors become what James Madison most feared — “a king for four years.”

It was with this fact in mind that the progressive reformers of a century ago established the power of recall, which allowed voters to remove despotic leaders during the course of their terms of office, as opposed to putting up with tyranny until the next election. The right to petition for the redress of grievances is made real via the recall power, which gives citizens the authority to gather a sufficient number of signatures and a force a tyrant to face the wrath of the electorate.

Monarchs and their minions cannot be recalled, unfortunately. But governors and their minions can be. This distinction keeps the promise of republican government. The ability to recall a senator who disregards the rule of law, or a governor who would restructure government to empower himself while taking away the rights of public employees to defend public services, is our defense against an “elective despotism.” And the current exercise of that power is far more exciting to this republican than a royal wedding.

John Nichols is associate editor of The Capital Times. [e-mail]

[pacalo]

1. That article is a keeper. It should be sent to all elected officials.

[iwishiwas]

2. Thanks for the idea. I will send it to mine (snail mail).

[highplainsdem]

3. Thanks for posting this! K&R