To the editor:
A provision was codified into the law of the old Roman Republic for dictators to arise when needed. According to the Roman rule, "a dictator was a temporary magistrate appointed by the consuls, usually on the advice of the Senate, to handle a specific crisis with absolute power during a limited time frame, typically six months, and then immediately step down after completing the task." (Source: AI ChatGPT)
Would such a provision work in American politics? No! Why not? Except for the possibility of martial law, no allowance for a “dictator" is mentioned by our Constitution. The role of a dictator has never been codified into our law. If a dictator ever appeared in America, his function would automatically be outside the law, regardless of the good he might do.
Today, I believe actions occur to address problems in our American democracy due to a government that no longer works. However, these same steps are not necessarily "good" if they are done in unlawful ways beyond the Constitution's scope. Although calamity might not occur now, a precedent is being set for disaster later.
Remembering how Lincoln broke the Constitution during the Civil War to preserve the Union (i.e., the suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus — arrests without due cause & imprisonment without due process, censorship of free speech & of a free press, waging war against sovereign states without any declaration from Congress, etc.), we must ask, "Can good be achieved in evil ways?"
Despotism worked for Rome because a provision for a “dictator" was written into their law. However, except for martial law, no allowance for despotism is granted by the Constitution. Interestingly, the U.S. Constitution doesn't explicitly state when or how martial law can be declared, but we should not have it now.
If the paradox of "achieving good by doing evil" has presently occurred in reaction to a "government that no longer works," then we must review our origin and see why to resolve the problem.
According to President Washington's farewell address, political parties are the root problem: "Factions [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, but they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion." (Sept. 19, 1796)
In other words, quarreling factions (political parties) might briefly help, but inevitably rob the people of power to govern themselves by taking control and subverting the right to rule in the end. And here we are ….
Since party affiliation is the giant wrench thrown into the government cogs that stymie our nation, I believe that all political parties are unconstitutional and should be outlawed so that constituents vote based on the ideas of individual candidates rather than loyalty to any sect or club!
Will this solution occur? No! Why? Because good government requires hard work on the part of those being governed. A well-informed populace must remain vigilant in their readiness to act based on the best information they continually receive.
Sadly, we have grown lazy and would rather that our respective "party bosses" rule on our behalf. When asked what type of government the new Constitution allowed, Franklin said, "A republic... if you can keep it" But due to a lack of direct personal involvement, how well have we actually kept the republic if we passively allow parties to substitute their voice for ours?
Long ago, the old Roman Republic died when the people became apathetic. Our beloved republic is dying too, for the very same reason. As long as Democrats and Republicans bicker, we gripe because nothing ever gets done. But whose fault is that since a party system was never originally intended? Our Founding Fathers planned for "WE the people" to rule ourselves rather than be dictated to by divisive, selfish factions. The American citizenry should never willingly relinquish individual accountability to ANY group and be subsequently subjugated thereby.
