‘Will of the people’ vs. rational thinking

By Sandy Heth

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Children learn from intelligent teachers that “might does not make right” and “bullying” abuses and terrorizes the weak. America's history is littered with examples - burning witches at Salem, American Indian genocide, slavery, Japanese interment during World War II.

These atrocities were driven by the “will of the people.”

The Japanese were corralled by pure, unadulterated paranoia so profound that well-meaning people were pushed toward extremism; common sense and a realistic appraisal of people as individuals were obliterated.

These stellar historical moments should inspire Americans to repel social, racial and fanatical religious paranoia, but mindset has power and suddenly “Might Makes Right.” The “will of the people,” a rhetorical gimmick justifying irrational behavior, is preserved over other basic rights delineated by government. Our system of checks and balances was designed to prevent injustice; ironically, it failed repeatedly as good people succumb to paranoia and groupthink.

Currently, Iowa's classroom is delivering a homegrown, old-fashioned, self-righteous, conservative Christian temper-tantrum. This cornfed paranoia and its intent to demolish our Supreme Court is not about marriage. This cow pile is about sin in Biblical scripture and Christian absolutism, superiority and control. It is about judging, punishing and discriminating against

gay citizens, a meager

2.3 percent (U.S. Centers for Disease Control statistics) of Iowa's population.

Conservative Christian and thrice-failed gubernatorial candidate Robert Vander Plaats, assisted by legislators, is spearheading our legislature toward a judicial power grab. This is holy war and deserves recognition as such.

Razing an entire judiciary over one decision is a disproportional response similar to using a fully loaded gunship to zap a fly. It smacks of extremism that recently resulted in the assassination of a moderate Afghani official who believed that the death penalty for insulting Islam was wrong. The murderer was cheered.

Implausible? Extremism becomes mainstream when good people say nothing.

Only law, only fear of the law, prevents lawlessness. Our judiciary, charged to protect us all, must be beyond partisanship, ideology and religious hegemony. Without Blind Justice, we are not free! Before this debacle, the Iowa judicial system was a national model. Should it be forever changed by conservative “mainstream” extremism, the emotional, legal and social consequences will be devastating.

Initially, courts lose credibility and independence; a “reverse judicial activism” as judges slide into moneyed pockets of political parties. In turn, the court would attract nominees with questionable allegiances and motives.

Next, “might make right” encourages disrespect of the law. Groups with a gripe will ignore unpopular decisions - private militias emerge from this logic. Anarchists, not patriots, are born from “might makes right.”

Next, freedom from a given religious template is the foundational heart of America. Imposing a Christian ethos onto government lacks consideration for all faiths. Religious freedom suffers, and Christians could lose themselves inside the hatred and fanaticism they deplore. Recognizing fanaticism in others is easy, but can we recognize it in ourselves? What will be next for radicalized Christians? Will success breed greater intolerance?

I agree with philosopher Blaise Pascal: “Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.”

Finally, respectful disagreement and fair appraisal of individuals are lifeblood to an ordered society. Without these ingredients, the trickle-down effect will teach children that terrorizing and stigmatizing others are acceptable behaviors. Adults engender cruelty, sanction it, then remove the stigma of guilt, setting a horrific example for impressionable minds. Children live what they are taught.

Passionate paranoia filled November's election. The Bible has spawned 38,000 Christ-based denominations (Christianity Today magazine) and has instigated controversy and confusion and will fuel

disparity until judgment day.

Rational, measured perspective must prevail.

Sandy Heth, formerly of Iowa City, is an author and freelance writer from Dubuque who was mentored by James A. McPherson of the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop while earning her UI degree. Comments:

hethdubuque@hotmail.com.