We must protect the separation of powers

The founders of this country had the experience and wisdom to create a system with a separation of powers, knowing what a government looked like with a state church and a king who was judge and jury. Now there is a movement to consolidate power by removing protections of the judicial branch, both at the federal and state level.

Iowa Republicans are proposing a change in how members of the judicial nominating committee are selected. This committee selects who will be nominated for Iowa District Court judges and the Iowa Supreme Court. Republicans are moving quickly to increase the number of committee members appointed by the governor.

House Bill 110 calls for the governor to appoint eight judiciary nominating committee members, the majority party two appointees, and the minority party two appointees. They call this transparency to have the majority party appoint 83 percent of those who nominate judges?

This looks like a plan to reduce the separation of powers. This is NOT what democracy looks like.

Carolyn Stephenson

Cedar Rapids