In a democratic republic, such as the United States of
America, the idea of democracy takes the form of representative
government. The people do not actually
rule. They do not directly create laws
in any form. Representatives are elected
to localities, and those representatives create the laws. Ideally, the people have agreed to follow
those laws as they conduct their business and their lives. This idea is known as the rule of law.
Generally and specifically, the people and their
representatives tacitly agree to not to break the laws their elected
representatives have democratically voted on and enacted. There is no suspension of these agreed upon
laws short of blatant disobedience. The result can be the beginning of societal
disorder, such as the partial shutdown of the government brought about by the
House of Representatives stubborn refusal to legislate. Remember, writing,
arguing for or against a bill, and then voting on it, is why, by law and by
oath, they are there.
It does not matter what representatives or constituents
believe. If an enacted piece of
legislation is personally disagreeable, then any representative is welcome to
write new legislation to reverse it, if he can convince enough of his fellow representatives
to go along with his new thinking.
Congressional rules preventing any part of this process obstruct the
governmental process. This is the main exercise of democracy we use in Federal
government.
If large political groups, religious, business, or just professional
lobby groups, assert opinions that are contrary to Presidentially endorsed laws;
that is their right. Written or spoken opinions
are protected by the First Amendment.
Nevertheless, politically aligned Congressional representatives cannot
prevent the enforcement and enactment of those laws under any circumstances. To allow governmental obstruction is to
disrupt the rule of law and risk the fracture of the foundation of American
society.
