In Fredericksburg, Virginia, the local sport must be butting into another state's business
Read it here.Sen. Jim Jeffords was elected as a Republican in 1988 by the people of Vermont. He left the Republican Party in 2001 and became an Independent.
This one man's decision changed the power within the U.S. Senate from Sen. Trent Lott to Sen. Tom Daschle.
Now, the country may face another tragedy because of a South Dakota law if Sen. Tim Johnson, elected as a Democrat, dies or does not make a full recovery.
Under that law, one man--Gov. Mike Rounds--can fill the vacancy with a temporary appointment, and that person would serve until the next general election.
Our country was founded on the premise of "we the people," and being misrepresented is just another example of why the U.S. Constitution needs to be amended to stop irregularities performed by state laws that adversely affect the federal government infrastructure.
The people voted but are not being heard. Why is common sense not common?
Paul Waldowski
Stafford
If you'll take note, Paul's concern for tragedy does not lie with the medical condition of our Senator. His version of tragedy is that "one man--Gov. Mike Rounds--can fill the vacancy with a temporary appointment, and that person would serve until the next general election."
My opinion? What an ass.
Paul apparently hasn't bothered to check on the law. It's not as if it was authored yesterday. It was passed years ago. Does anyone have any doubt that he might not be raising such a fuss if the Governor was of a different political persuasion? I certainly don't.
Paul ends his letter with the question "Why is common sense not common?" The answer? Because Paul cares more for the seat than the Senator.
Comments
Was put into effect in 1914.
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.
And besides the point, why count Johnson out? I thought the national media was presumptuous enough. But after all this time, and after it is already said he will return to office?
Although this author has already made it quite clear he does not know U.S. history, he does not know a South Dakotan either, Senator Mundt's four-plus years in office without resigning could attest to this fact. Call it perserverance or stubborness-- it depends on who you ask.
Most if not all states allow for this.
Remember, when ol' jumpin' jim jeffords bailed on the GOP, it was after the election and there was much discussion about his action since the Republican party funded his campaign and he was re-elected as a Republican. Of course, he didn't pay any penalty for it though...the old boy net you know.
Another good example of how they work is the dismissive comment above by nicholas Waldowski. "pp, you silly boy. Why this isn't even worth my batting my eyelashes at the computer screen!" Probably a relative of Paul. Oh.. those liberals...their so incestuous.
Quack, quack, quack that noise must be me quacking in my "sandles". Would that be more sand or less? I always prefer les. Oh, you must mean sandals.
Well, I guess you can't be referring to me. I always wear hightop, lace up, steel toe, Red Wing, work boots. They work better for kicking the crap out of dopey arguments.
If the seat becomes vacant, it's the Gov's pick, regardless of who was elected.
and that's it.
Learn to read and realize that the South Dakota constitution needs to be amended because I SAY SO.
I'm also demanding that the world change the name of the tomato to "Blurg." Why? Because I SAY SO.
Why do I call people asshole and poopyhead? Because I am the SMARTEST person in the world. ALL SMART people talk that way.
Read my lips...
Please keep it somewhat civil, or I'm going to bring out my big delete button, and just like Dr. Evil would say, you're all going to freakin' DIE! (or at least your comments will be deleted).
And as for the person claiming to be the author of the letter, it's up to South Dakotans to choose whether or not we want to change or constitution.
I would wholeheartedly tell the gov to pick a Republican, because the state constitution allows him to do so, notwithstanding the permission of someone who isn't a constituent.