How We See It: Filing Period Opens, Officially Kicks Off Election 2014

Monday, February 24, 2014

Would you be surprised to learn that from a technical standpoint, nobody is yet running for election in 2014.

Thanks in part to Mark Pryor and Tom Cotton, it seems the campaign has already been going on for a long time. But today marks the official opening of political season as candidates, starting a noon, can file the official paperwork to run for their party nominations in the May primaries. Filing continues through noon next Monday, March 3.

What’s the Point?

As candidates file for office, it’s time for Americans to make a decision to get engaged in politics and make good decisions.

The filing period is always an exciting time for those interested in the realm of politics. Most candidates have already announced plans to run, but sometimes there can be real surprises. By next Monday, the political lay of the land will be established, providing the cast of characters for the drama called Election 2014.

It can be fun. Who, after all, would have thought Washington County would see a mother and daughter -- including one who has been a state representative and state senator -- running for positions on the Quorum Court? Eva Madison is looking for her third consecutive term on the Quorum Court and former State Sen. Sue Madison is seeking to return for a third term 20 years after her last term ended.

Of course, this newspaper will have its reporters covering the campaigns in print and online. Readers should take time to find and bookmark www.nwavote.com, which will become an active place for news about the campaigns and elections throughout 2014.

Election years are vital parts of our national, state and local experiences. This is how we Americans run this country, and it's the best way on the planet. We encourage anyone tempted to tune out on the political races to make a better choice: Get registered to vote if you're not; become engaged in understanding the issues and meeting the candidats; and carry out your civic duty to cast a ballot with responsibility. Don't leave it to someone else to decide.

Nothing's "Settled" On Obamacare

As the Republican-controlled U.S. House passed several bills that would have repealed the Affordable Care Act, liberal critics belittled these efforts by contending that Obamacare was "settled law" since it had been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

But how can we say it is "settled law" when our president's actions seem to reflect his belief that some of the law's very specific provisions are what he wants them to be as opposed to their clear meaning?

The most recent case in point was the administration's decision to delay until 2016 the requirement that employers with 50 to 99 full-time workers either provide health insurance or pay a financial penalty.

Congressional approval is clearly needed to change a very unambiguous provision that the mandate is effective after Dec. 31, 2013.

President Barack Obama's stated rationale for the extension was to ensure that mid-sized companies had sufficient time to comply with the law.

His explanation raises two interesting questions.

How long do you really need to comply with a law that was enacted in 2010?

Is it fair for the president to be in the business of picking winners and losers?...

The Affordable Care Act is expected to be front and center among issues in the 2014 midterm elections, but this does not justify doing an end run around the Constitution.

At one point in his life, our president taught constitutional law. He surely knows better. ...

This is what you would expect in a banana republic, but not in a constitutional republic with co-equal branches of government.

All hail El Presidente.

-- The Daily News, Bowling Green, KY

Commentary on 02/24/2014