Alaska’s Legislative Process
Contributed by Wes Keller
Are you sick of politics… the increasing uneasiness about the potential loss of our freedoms, prosperity, justice? We have been pledging allegiance to these values all of our lives, but it seems more and more futile to trust government to ensure these Constitutional rights! We seem to be at a crossroad— damned if we quit politics, and damned if we don’t!
The tension and division within the Republican Party does not help! The recent contest in pursuit of the highest leadership position of the moment (Speaker of the US House of Representatives), highlighed the nasty, chronic schism between far-right ‘conservatives’ and ‘moderates’ in the party. Essential Republican influence was not available when the House Majority was leaderless. This is particularly egregious because, at the same time, we face the emergency level threats of a potential WW III (Hamas-Israel), and the looming deadline for budget (economy). The “no-show” of the House Majority at critical moments squandered the balance of power our founders intended. The Alaska Legislature has similarly demonstrated truancy and loss because of this ugly schism in our leadership fights. It is time we look it in the eye! Judging by the ongoing Speaker Johnson bashing, the disunity is still with us.
In spite of growing frustration with politics, there is good reason to be encouraged and to stay engaged! Any good that comes from the House Majority with its new Speaker, Mike Johnson, must be attributed either to lucky chance or to what our political heritage would call “Divine Providence”. We hear no political entity claiming credit for the election of Johnson because it surprised all of us. I am suggesting if the voting majority is open to reconsider our roots, we still might be able to make the best of this fleeting opportunity. I remind you of content of the Declaration of Independence (recently called our “creed” by Speaker Johnson); We rely on a very real God as our ultimate governing Authority. This is a foundational premise of America’s political world-view right along with our national premises regarding our commitment to ensuring justice, freedom and human rights for all! You may have forgotten, or perhaps never learned, the ultimate governing authority of law is NOT “we the people” but rather what the creed refers to as the “Supreme Judge”, “Nature’s Law”, “Nature’s God”, and “Divine Providence”… all revered entities in the Declaration — and subsequently transferred into the creation of the Constitution itself! Reconsideration must start with personal, individual, reflection. Then, to be of any use politically, it cannot be completely private!
The process must start with us each looking humbly at ourselves in in our own mirror and honest dealing with what we see. If we do not like what we see, we must deal with it by boldly turning away from it while simultaneously turning toward the “Supreme Judge” who has, astonishingly made provision for our weaknesses and failure! This remedy is the classic definition of “repentance” in Judeo-Christian thought. If this seems strange, or if you at first find it repulsive, I suggest pondering… perhaps starting with John 1:1ff. Then, if you make it thru this part, pray for our governing elected representatives who make, execute and enforce our laws. Let them know you acknowledge truth and authority of the Supreme Judge and that you expect them to do the same. This strategy does not disdain the ban on “establishment” of religion. And, it demonstrates respect for each man’s religious freedom. It bets on man’s ability and choice of truth when he sees it. It also presumes values consistent with what I call “American Constitutionalism: individual autonomy before God —including freedom of religion and eventual deliberate decision regarding the only rational starting question: “Does God exist?” America’s governing “moral absolutes” are only “absolute” to the extent they are confirmed by voters for public application by chosen representatives. If the voting majority errs, government gets it wrong. This is no time to quit on politics, It is time to make sure of our foundation! Consider the “normality” of our National Motto or the current version of our Pledge of Allegiance!
A recent Pew Research Poll confirms many Americans are quitting politics: https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2023/09/19/americans-dismal-views-of-the-nations-politics/ If you are determined not to quit, consider is strategy proposal. Then, learn and apply our Alaska Legislative Process (https://akleg.gov/docs/pdf/Legislative-Process-in-Alaska.pdf) There is nothing wrong with our traditional Alaska Legislative Process except that it is controlled by esoteric special interest groups that do not necessarily reflect the majority of Alaska.