Letter to the Editor: Our Democracy Depends Upon the Rule of Law

The Rule of Law begins in the preamble to the Constitution. “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility …”. The Rule of Law is a political ideal that all citizens and institutions within a country, state, or community are accountable to the same laws, including lawmakers and leaders. It is as simple as “no one is above the law.” It ensures an orderly and just society where freedom, equality, social, political and economic rights are guaranteed by transparent laws. An independent judiciary free from political interference is at the heart of preventing abuse of power, corruption and autocracy.

The voting public elects government officials to perform public service in county, state and federal government offices. Certified election results are acknowledged by the winners, and the losers concede for a peaceful transfer of power – except for the 2020 presidential election.   

Sixty independent court cases verified the individual 50 state-certified election results. The Rule of Law demonstrated beyond a doubt that the 2020 presidential election was fair and secure, as stated by Trump-appointed election security officials and 60 separate court cases. Trump has denied those results with no evidence for three-plus years.  Trump posted on Truth Social “A president of the United States must have full immunity.” Those are the words of a man that wants to act without any constraint of law. He doesn’t comply with the Rule of Law, and he now faces four criminal court cases.

Our democratic republic functions because people accept and live by the Rule of Law. Talk to your friends, neighbors and elected officials because our democracy – life here, in the middle east and in Ukraine – all depend on having representatives who govern through respectful dialog, compromise and following the Rule of Law. If the law is violated, there are consequences through the judicial process.  Democracy dies when society fails to abide by the Rule of Law! Vote for Democrats, they accept and abide by the Rule of Law. 

Keith Bancroft

Kewaunee, Wisconsin