opinion
In America, people choose their leaders by voting. It's called “democracy”.
Also in America, some people want to prevent others from voting for certain candidates simply by preventing votes for those candidates by keeping them off the ballot.
In other words, the exact opposite of democracy.
Illinois is now the latest state to threaten democracy.
RELATED: Byron Donalds, shortlisted for Trump's running mate, says Congress should defund government 'if border is not secured'
Illinois is trying to cancel Trump
Unfortunately, Illinois is not the first state to try to prevent voters from supporting Trump.
“A Cook County judge on Wednesday ordered the Illinois Board of Elections to remove former President Donald Trump from the Illinois primary ballot — but also put the order on hold, pending a potential appeal,” CBS News reported.
“Cook County Circuit Judge Tracy R. Porter issued the ruling on Wednesday, but stayed the ruling until Friday in anticipation of an appeal to the Illinois Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court,” the report added. “The primary is March 19.”
The story continued:
Mr. Trump’s campaign spokesman, Stephen Cheung, quickly responded, saying: “This is an unconstitutional ruling and we will quickly appeal it.”
Illinois is one of several states considering disqualifying former President Trump over his role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 — and whether that could be considered an insurrection.
The case hinges on Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment, which bars officials who have sworn to uphold the Constitution from serving in government if they participate in an insurrection. The clause was enacted in 1868 to prevent former Confederates from holding office — and has remained mostly dormant for more than 150 years.
Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment — also known as the rebellion clause of the disqualification clause — had never in the country's history been used to disqualify a presidential candidate until December.
But that changed when the Colorado Supreme Court concluded that Mr. Trump’s conduct related to January 6 made him ineligible for the presidency. The court ordered him excluded from the state's Republican primary elections.
See the language used? “Assault on the Capitol” and “Insurrection.” Remember that President Trump asked everyone to protest peacefully, and that the Senate acquitted him during his impeachment trial of the incident.
It is difficult to see this as anything other than naked power politics in a corrupt, blue-collar state.
RELATED: President Biden's doctor claims he's 'tough' and 'fit for duty,' KJP says he passes cognitive test every day
In a democracy, the people choose
Regardless of what happens in the United States, the Supreme Court is set to make the final decision.
CBS News reports that the US Supreme Court is expected to make a decision on the matter soon. If the US Supreme Court rules in Mr. Trump’s favor, most efforts to keep him off the ballot – in Illinois, Colorado, Maine, and elsewhere – will likely be rejected.
It should be thrown away. Voters should choose, not local leaders.
In a republican democracy, such as America, voters choose their leaders.
Elites cannot suddenly change the rules just because they don't like Donald Trump.
It's time to support and share the sources you trust.
The Policy Insider ranks third on Feedspot's “Top 100 Political Blogs and Websites” list.
