Letter: Do people serve the law or do laws serve people?

The Tri-City Herald’s editorial on Sept. 20 (“Legislature needs to act to deter future strikes”) was nothing short of outrageous. Do people serve the law or do laws serve people?

Americans have a proud tradition of protest. The Declaration of Independence explains why. If the Founding Fathers thought as the TCH, the American Revolution would never have happened. Rosa Parks would have gone to the back of the bus and Cesar Chavez would have quit the “Salad Bowl Strike.” Students learned that, in America, one can peacefully protest and get results.

The TCH may hint that Judge Ekstrom was afraid of teachers. But what the judge expressed was that he believed that the parties should be at the bargaining table, not before the bench. Maybe he just understands the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution better than the editorial board.

A laborer is worth his/her wage. When the state can force someone to work that’s slavery and tyranny. Police and firemen have an arbitration process. When a state denies workers redress of grievances, then they have no recourse but to strike/protest.

When the TCH wants to expose corruption despite a gag order or shelter a whistleblower despite a court order, I hope the judge pulls out that editorial.

Richland

This story was originally published October 10, 2015 at 8:05 PM with the headline "Letter: Do people serve the law or do laws serve people?."