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Jack McMullen on Government Reform


Legislatures, not judges, decide on "God" in schools

Recently courts have ruled against overwhelming public opinion to omit "God" from the Pledge of Allegiance and to compel gay marriage - and this whopper: In Nevada, the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional a constitutional amendment that made it much harder for the state to raise taxes - a measure approved by 70 percent of the citizenry.

It is not healthy for our republic when laws passed by our duly elected representatives serve merely as an opening brief in a court, which takes it upon itself to write the final version of the bill. Judges are meant to interpret the gray areas of the law, not to rewrite it to suit their sense of fairness.

Courts should speak with clarity and precision in applying the law to the controversy at hand -- when the law is clear. But when fundamentally moral or philosophical questions arise for which there is no clear answer, courts should defer matters for action by the legislature, where the voice of the citizens can be heard.

Source: Campaign website, mcmullenforsenate.com Aug 11, 2004

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