By FRITZ PETTYJOHN
How do you explain a judge like Superior Court Judge Adolf Zeman? How can he justify a decision to overturn the elected representatives of the people, and outlaw a correspondence program relied on my tens of thousands of Alaska parents? He claims to be following the Constitution, but that’s nonsense. The delegates to the constitutional convention left a clear record of their intentions, which he chose to ignore.
Behind his black robe disguise Zeman is just another politician. He has his ideas about public policy, but instead of running for office he just issues orders.
His power grab is on appeal, and the Alaska Supreme Court will have the final say. If the people of Alaska vote to remove Zeman from office, they will send a powerful message to the court.
Interpreting the Constitution is the court’s job, but it needs to be deferential to the will of the people. Unless there is a clear violation of the constitution, it needs to show restraint, and allow the political process to function.
Otherwise, we don’t live in a constitutional republic, we are subjects in a judicial tyranny.
Vote no on the retention of Adolf Zeman. If he wants to decide public policy let him run for office.
Fritz Pettyjohn’s first venture in politics was working for Goldwater for President in 1964. He served in the Alaska Legislature in the 1980s and writes the blog ReaganProject.com.
