THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509160100
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
``We are a people governed by laws.'' This is the catch sentenced used by politicians and bureaucrats to cover a multitude of sins. It is also not true.
We are in fact ruled by politicians and bureaucrats who follow the rule that ``the law is what I say it is.'' We are ruled by administrative procedures, rules, regulations, edicts, directions, charges, pronunciamentos and decrees by these same people, ostensibly im-ple-menting the laws enacted by the legislating bodies. They, through egotism or whatever, believe, ``I know what is good for you even if you are too stupid to realize it.''
This provides full lawyer employment for those who can afford to litigate. The rest of the citizenry suffers.
The current $7 million deficit of the Virginia Beach school system is a perfect example of this phenomenon. No one is responsible, no one is punished and this is regarded as ``business as usual.''
It is incumbent on all elected and appointed officials to remember and comply with their oath of office. If the oath needs to be changed, be sure it includes the phrase ``to obey all laws, state, local and federal, and to defend the Constitution of the United States.''
It is up to the people to ensure compliance with that oath.
H. T. Cook
Virginia Beach
As for school superintendency, The man in the job should have it
A plea to our city's leaders: Suspend the nationwide search for a school superintendent. It would take an outsider two years to ``break in'' to the position. Give James L. Pughsley the position now.
Jan Eaton
Bay Colony by CNB