The laws are no longer being created by the voice of the people (majority vote) or even by the voice of the representatives of the people (Congress). The other two branches of government are usurping that power, or in the case of Congress, they are willingly giving it up.

There was an article in the paper not long ago that was a cry for term limits. It conceded that in order to help Congress take back some of its power removing “old blood” and letting the new blood use the power they have in the short time they have available to them would result in a more active Legislature — not just a lame duck.

Their giving up of power is viewed in their inability to timely create a budget, let alone one that is fiscally sound. Their willingness to give the President power to write the health care law and “pass the bill so that you can find out what’s in it….” (Pelosi), leads me to believe they are more interested in posturing than making thought out decisions. They have not made a decision about our country going to war and the President has gone ahead without approval.

Just last week in response to the outcries for the Supreme Court to take up the case on gay marriage, the Supreme Court justices decided to stay silent. Their silence has approved the opinions of 11 lower judges decisions that have overridden the majority vote of 11 states. Those 20 voices has overridden the voices of millions who voted within their respective states to determine what is right for them and the majority of persons within that state.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came out with a statement after the Supreme Court’s last ruling on gay marriage. It said, “By ruling that supporters of Proposition 8 lacked standing to bring this case to court, the Supreme Court has highlighted troubling questions about how our democratic and judicial system operates. Many Californians will wonder if there is something fundamentally wrong when their government will not defend or protect a popular vote that reflects the views of a majority of their citizens.” http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-responds-supreme-court-marriage-rulings

I feel this statement is a warning to be aware of the changes that are happening to our country and take action to let my voice be heard. My responsibility is to do something about the direction I feel our nation is going. I can’t respond with apathy. My willingness to voice this opinion is a start.

Liz Ryskamp, Spanish Fork