Commentary by Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director
During the better part of the last two decades, I have literally written thousands of letters to the editor, articles and commentaries, mostly focusing on America and its departure from the values which made our nation great. I have rarely put pen to paper concerning my personal life, except in situations when I felt personal reflections needed to be shared and would have larger meaning for a country I love so dear.
Many Americans are not aware of the threat we face from one-Party rule. There is no better example of the danger citizens may encounter in the near future as represented by the recent dominance of the Democratic Party in federal government. Democrats now hold a significant majority in the House of Representatives. With the recent defection of U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (Pennsylvania), who was a member of the GOP for nearly three decades, to the other side of the political aisle, the United States Senate has a nearly filibuster-proof Democratic majority of 60. And with the very distinct possibility former comedian Al Franken of Minnesota may win his court battle against incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Norm Coleman to become the next Senator from that state, Democrats will reach that magic number of 60 and the concept of the two-Party system envisioned by America's Founding Fathers may cease to exist for years to come. Of course, with Barack Obama--the quintessential leftist inhabiting the White House--the ideal of representative government may be at an all time low in U.S. history.
I formed Republicans For Fair Media (now RFFM.org) nearly 20 years ago, in an effort to encourage fairness and objectivity in the dominant press. Originally hailing from Chicago, this was a daunting task. That city, located in the nation's heartland, illustrated perfectly how one-Party rule left many individuals who held differing political and social views from those in power disenfranchised. Unfortunately, the mainstream media in Chicago left many stories regarding the moral and legal function of government unaddressed. This is a natural process which, in part, is due to human failings. In some cases, a journalist had little chance to survive for very long if he or she bucked the status quo in the Windy City.
In reality, the protections granted the Fourth Estate within the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution were left to fall by the wayside and those who suffered from this lapse in journalistic objectivity were the people of Chicago themselves.
In 2004, I moved to a small town in Central Illinois. For now, the name of that town isn't important. Let's call it Anywhere, U.S.A. However, to date my experience in Anywhere, U.S.A. is distressingly reminiscent of the political failings of one-Party government which I encountered while living in Chicago.
My story begins with a simple civil lawsuit which was brought against me by an influential local business. The details surrounding that case would not be appropriate to share due to a number of reasons. My case is still pending and in no way is this story an attempt to influence the outcome of that case. However, it is the process which I have experienced--while dealing with County government--which is deeply troubling. There is an old saying, "You can't fight City Hall." Perhaps I am naive to a fault, but I had always believed this was not the case in America. However, to date, I have been up against a system which provides an average individual, like myself, with little recourse in my pursuit of fairness and justice.
In brief, let me go into what might seem to be minutiae to some regarding what transpired, but I feel it is important to share these facts because I am certain it has happened to others in countless small towns across America. To begin, I was not served with a summons to appear in court. My testimony to that fact--for all intents and purposes--was ignored by the system; documents were not made available to me (which I had a legal right to); I was threatened with imprisonment by County law enforcement for being "argumentative" while seeking information on how to obtain the aforementioned documents; I was assigned a new court date (when legally a ruling should have been made before the new court date on my motion to quash the original summons--which I was never served); and a representative of the court made sure at my next court date that the process server had, for the first time, legally served me with a summons--right outside the court room door. "There is someone looking for you in the hall," said a bailiff, "did you see him?"
Needless to say, the culmination of these events left me stunned. Again, my naiveté left me with the impression these kinds of things do not happen to law-abiding citizens who depend on government and its officials to protect the rights of the average citizen as well as the politically privileged and connected.
Being familiar with politics and constituent service, I appealed to some of the elected officials who represent the County I live in, including two state Senators. Unfortunately, my appeals for an investigation into the process which I have experienced seem to have fallen on deaf ears. Once again, I was not seeking special consideration when it came to the aforementioned law suit itself because that would be wrong and illegal. I hope to win the case on the merits of my argument itself. Yet, as Americans, we all should be entitled to fairness and the assurance of due process which should be provided by local, state and federal government. We should not be victims of favoritism given to those who may hold sway in a community. We should not be subject to intimidation, as I was, by those who are sworn to protect us. But, unfortunately, there are those who are given special consideration because of who they are and who they know. Former Governor Rod Blagojevich abused the power he was given by the people of Illinois. And while Blagojevich's story has national significance, due to the fact he held high political office, there are abuses of power which can have a devastating impact on average citizens as well. An even better example is the treatment afforded Timothy Geithner. Mr. Geithner is now the United States Secretary of the Treasury, even though before nominated to the position by Barack Obama, Geithner was a tax scofflaw and only paid his delinquent taxes (to the tune of $35,000.00) after he was nominated to hold, as one of his positions, the head of the Internal Revenue Service. One of Geithner's duties is to make sure we pay our taxes. Would other Americans not only be given a pass, but rewarded for such actions, as Mr. Geithner? Is it any wonder why so many hold government in disdain?
There are no hoards of reporters looking into my case because I am only an average citizen. If there were journalists on the scene, I would not have been threatened with imprisonment simply for asking questions about where I could obtain legal documents. In fact, a response I was given by a County official was striking in itself. "No one ever asked for a document seeking to quash a summons." This told me those who could not afford a lawyer were at a distinct disadvantage in this County's system. The impression I was given was: How dare I ask for such a document! Even though the judge had sent me to this County office to obtain the papers needed to file the necessary motion to quash the summons which was never served (even though the process server swore an oath he did so--which he did not), I was told by a County official, "Go to a web site to find the document." Being blind, it would be impossible for me to find any document online. Therefore, I inquired for other alternatives regarding the matter. "You could go to the library." "Anything else?" I asked. I was finally told there was an individual who worked two days a week in the court building in a sojourn advocate office who could help me. I asked why I had to press for all this information. It must be noted this was a conversation, not a yelling match. I was then informed by my wife a police officer had been summoned to the office. My crime? "Being argumentative," said the officer. Now, I thoroughly understand how a man who is totally blind and holding a flimsy cane designed for the sightless (which folds into six parts with the slightest pressure) can be intimidating. As the officer taunted me, saying things like, "go for it," I said, "take me to jail for asking questions." I really don't think the man wanted to arrest me because he ran away when I called him on his threat.
Now some would think the problems I am dealing with in my small town are trivial. Surely, the outcome of my pursuit for fairness and justice will not be earth-shaking. The world will not stop turning, no matter whether the problems I have encountered with my local government are addressed or remain as a silent example of one man's fight against the powers of "City Hall" and one-Party government. Indeed, the writing of this column will probably enflame the anger of those in power and lessen my request that the "right thing" be done. Yet, in the same breath, as Americans, we have the duty and, more important, the responsibility to stand up against the failings of a government whose primary responsibility is to protect all its citizens--from the weak to the powerful.
By the way, I am a Republican and my County is dominated by Republicans. Therefore, this is not a Democrat or Republican issue. It is a story about the workings of government and the checks and balances which should hold elected officials accountable. Do I wish there were more Democrats in my County? Certainly not. I believe in the principles Republicans stand for, including the right to life, traditional marriage and support for the Second Amendment. I also believe in smaller government and less taxes and I stand by the Republican platform, including upholding traditional values.
Do good people represent government in my Anywhere, U.S.A.? Of course. But often with the trappings of power some may lose sight of their duty to serve all the people equally. This is a must in a nation dependent upon personal responsibility.
Part 2 will detail my appeal for justice in Anywhere, U.S.A. and name the players in this saga.
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After reading your article, all I can say is WOW.
This is a sure fire reason Term Limits should be in place for every
politcal position. People become entrenched in the politcal system
in Anytown, USA and they seem to feel it's their little Fiefdom.
Sad actually what we have seen happen to the 2 party system.
I, too am from a little town in Illinos. Moved out 20 years ago, and
don't miss it one bit. It's rather odd how I percieve Illinois now.
I look at it from 1200 miles away and say, Oh well you got what you deserve.
Not throwing that at you, just a generalization.
TPD
Posted by: ThreePuttinDude | June 27, 2009 at 03:43 PM