Doug Gibson's December 25, "Viewpoint" column: "Book 'Latter Day Liberty,' may spark an LDS debate over politics," was interesting. Doug noted that the "book" was written by Libertarian activist, Connor Boyack. He added: "The book's arguments are heavily infused with Latter-day-Saint scriptures and quotes from the past Latter-day-Saint leaders," which includes Ezra Taft Benson, David O. McKay, and J. Rueben Clark. These leaders were known for supporting and "befriending" the Constitution in obedience to the Doctrine & Covenants (98:6).The church teaches its members to obey the law, and that elected representatives are legally bound by the U.S. Constitution "the supreme law of the land."
The D&C 134:2 states: "no governments can exist in peace accept such laws are framed and held "inviolate", and "whatsoever is more or less than this [Constitution] cometh of evil (D&C 98:7)."
Boyack supports the presidential campaign of Congressman Ron Paul, evidently because of his perfect record of "befriending" the Constitution. Our country's social and economic problems are not due to any defects in the Constitution, or a lack of amendments, but our representatives disobeying it.
George Washington warned of the "baneful effects of the spirit of party." If even a majority of our elected representatives strictly obeyed the Constitution, it would automatically undermine the contentious and polarizing effects of the party system that has a virtual monopoly of control of the outcomes of elections: who gets elected (or nominated), and who doesn't.
During the Prophet Joseph Smith's presidential campaign, his brother Hyrum, said: "We want a President of the U.S., not a party President, but a President of the whole people; for a party President disenfranchises the opposite party. Have a President who will maintain every man in his rights."
Party loyalists prefer to uphold and defend the party's reputation and unconstitutional political power, rather than the Constitution.
Columnist Pat Buchanan characterized our two major Washington establishment parties as "the two wings of the same bird of prey" "There's not a dime's worth of difference," as former governor George Wallace (Ala.) put it.
Walter Winters
Ogden
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