Special interest groups dominated "In God We Trust" testimony

Posted

Speakers giving testimony at the Clark County Board of Commissioners Feb. 10 meeting to add "In God We Trust" to the chamber were dominated by special interest groups, and outsiders who were not representative of Clark County voters.

The tactic of this menagerie was to show up in force and be the squeaky wheel, knowing the silent majority rarely shows up like they should because they are probably working.  These groups declared a lot of unfounded concerns, false statements of history and fact, threatened legal action, discredited council members, discredited our national motto, and some individuals were filled with a fanatical rage that was completely uncalled for over such a benign proposal.  Some speakers gave insightful facts, accurate accounts of history and Constitutional understanding, but others were unapologetic about their misrepresentations.

How are Clark County Commissioners to assess public testimony in a meeting dominated by special interest groups?  The greatest fear of the Founders was mob rule in a pure Democracy so they gave us a Representative Republic.  Our representatives need level heads and courage to wade through the emotions and find the facts, to represent the best interests of Clark County, not special interests. It is not "Democratic" to cave in to the mob.  History shows it is common for leaders to "fear of the mob" but real leaders, representing the people of Clark County, must stand up for what is right.  Make decisions based on facts and the rule of law not the demands of a mob.  It is a hard job but that is what they are elected to do. 

Commissioner David Madore did a fantastic job separating fact from fiction. Commissioner Tom Mielke was courageous standing up for America's motto. But, Commissioner Jeanne Stewart gave in to mob rule.  



Jeanne Stewart feared the special interests, lies and all, more than the truth or the best interests of Clark County, and would not give the needed second to Mielke’s motion. It was very sad to hear her apologetic statement of compromise.

Quite frankly, "In God We Trust" is America's national motto and if the Commissioners wanted to decorate public chambers with a picture, statement, or monument expressing American history and values why do they need to ask anyone?

Keith Mathison

Battle Ground