We’ve suggested in the past that candidates who receive questionnaires from ideological groups probably are not well served in answering the questions on them: The questions are usually designed to frame ideas and issues according to the thought processes of the group, while the candidates may think of those issues differently. An answer, yes or no, from a candidate can amount to putting words in the candidate’s mouth.
So, a candidate who does answer can be assumed to look at these questions much as the organization does.
So we’ll be interested to know who winds up responding to the new Idaho Values Alliance questionnaire for applicants for the Idaho Supreme Court.
Here are the questions. For the first 20, respondents are asked if they agree or disagree with the statement; the last few questions are multiple-choice.
1. The Founders of the state of Idaho were grateful to God for our freedom.
2. All men have an inalienable right to enjoy and defend both life and liberty.
3. All men have an inalienable right to acquire, possess, and protect property.
4. All political power is inherent in the people, not the courts.
5. The exercise and enjoyment of religious faith and worship should be forever guaranteed.
6. Liberty of conscience should not be construed to excuse acts of licentiousness.
7. Bigamy and polygamy should be forever prohibited in the state of Idaho.
8. Idahoans should have the right to freely speak, write and publish on all subjects, but are responsible for the abuse of that liberty.
9. Idaho’s constitution permits capital punishment.
10. The people, not just the militia, should have the right to keep and bear arms.
11. Idaho law should not impose licensure, registration or special taxes on the ownership of firearms or ammunition.
12. Idaho law should not permit the confiscation of firearms, except those actually used in the commission of a felony.
13. The right of eminent domain should be permitted for any use necessary to the complete development of the material resources of the state.
14. Property qualifications should be allowed for school elections and elections creating indebtedness.
15. Unless the constitution expressly directs or permits, the judicial department should not exercise the powers properly belonging to the legislative and executive departments.
16. Casino gambling is contrary to public policy and should be strictly prohibited, including electronic and electromechanical imitation and simulation of all forms of casino gambling.
17. The first concern of all good government should be the virtue and sobriety of the people, and the purity of the home.
18. The legislature should further all well directed efforts to promote temperance and morality.
19. All political subdivisions in Idaho should be prohibited from recognizing any domestic legal union other than a marriage between a man and a woman.
20. The governor should have the power to disapprove of any item or items of any bill making appropriations of money embracing distinct items.
21. Which one of the current or recent U.S. Supreme Court Justices most reflects your judicial philosophy? (Ginsburg, O’Connor, Kennedy, Scalia, Other)
22. Rate your judicial philosophy on a scale of 1-10 when approaching the constitution, with “living document†being a 1 and “strict constructionist†being a 10.
23. Which of the following former U.S. Presidents best represents your political philosophy? (Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Other)
So, who will answer?
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