Is today’s state constitutional amendment election constitutional?

To answer this, we need to know that every elected official in the United States swears an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and, in addition, almost all officials swear an oath to their state’s constitution.

In a democracy, every citizen votes on every issue that needs to be voted on at every level of government. Time, resources, knowledge, space and distance strictly limit the number of humans who can gather to debate and decide the issues.

This is exactly why our founders gave us a republic. In fact, our founders were so adamant about a republican form of government that they guaranteed it the Constitution; it is the only written guarantee: Article IV, Section 4, Clause 1.

In a guaranteed Republic, every citizen gets to vote for a representative to make decisions for them at every level of government: precinct, district, county, state and nation.

Back to our question: Is a state constitutional amendment election constitutional? It would seem that our elected representatives are shirking their responsibility and violating their oath to represent us in a republican form of government. Why? Is it perhaps they are afraid to let their beliefs be known? Is it because they are trying to pull a fast one on us? Why else would we have to vote “Yes” to say “No” on a state income tax? Is it because they don’t want to be responsible for their vote?

In my opinion, our state representatives have violated their oath to guarantee a republican form of government. Instead they are turning convoluted decisions over to “the tyranny of the majority” or “mob rule,” as President John Adams described them. Adams went on to say “almost all of mankind have lost their liberties through ignorance.” He was wise indeed.

Bob Brewer is a longtime Tyler resident.