King John the First

Funny, I didn't realize that Gov. Kitzhaber was the head of the Executive, Judicial and Legislative branches in Oregon; 3-in-1! That's right, acting in his capacity as King of Oregon, Kitzhaber decreed that there will be no more executions of convicted killers on his watch. Never mind that the defendant who precipitated this decree had been adjudged guilty of murder, his conviction and sentence upheld by the appellate courts, and all pursuant to laws duly passed by the Oregon Legislature. Constitution, Smonchtitution - it's such a bother when you have to do what is Right!

I get it - the Donks don't like the death penalty. Just like they don't like Measure 11 (mandatory minimum sentences), most drug laws, and Republicans. Their remedy, of course, is a Constitutional amendment, but that requires a vote of the people which they know would not pass, so roll out the executive fiat! That's right - no messy elections, no separation of powers, etc., etc. because after all, they are the Ruling Class and know what's best for everybody and everything. Basically, it's Obama Lite and involves ruling subjects by decree, not governing on behalf of citizens pursuant to a Constitutional framework, and it is rapidly becoming the Democrats' modus operandi - a very troubling m.o. to people who care about democracy and limited government.

The Statesman Journal in today's editorial also raises the moral issue of Kitzhaber's inconsistent pro-life ethic: Why spare convicted killers when we allow the killing of innocent babies via abortion and authorize assisted suicide? Good question. Kitzhaber couldn't articulate an answer when asked. I would be happy to trade the abolition of capital punishment in return for doing the same with abortion and assisted suicide. Somehow I doubt, though, that trade is on the table. So much for consistency.

Oregon has been becoming a one-party state for some time and power without accountability breeds arrogance and anti-democratic policies. That's what we see here in Kitzhaber's unilateral decree. I grew up outside Chicago and it is what we saw there in the 1960s and still see today with Rahm Emmanuel and his crew. It isn't healthy and it breeds corruption as well. I don't know what happened to Oregon's vaunted independence, but it seems like the electorate is content to be ruled and not governed. Sad.

www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20111123/OPINION/111230418/Halting-Oregon-execution-bold-political-move