In reference to what Rep. Cathy Tilton stated, “Rep. (David) Eastman has a right to represent his constituency in the manner that he feels is representative of the district.” Meanwhile, the Alaska Constitution’s disloyalty clause prohibits from holding public office anyone who “advocates, or who aids or belongs to any party or organization or association which advocates, the overthrow by force or violence of the government of the United States or of the State.”
Apparently neither Eastman nor Tilton respect Alaska’s Constitution. The disloyalty clause is blunt and to the point. There is no room for error in its interpretation. Eastman is an educated man so he cannot claim ignorance of the law. Those not voting to expel Eastman are condoning his membership in an insurrectionist movement. Tilton along with others in the Legislature are giving aid to Eastman who is giving aid to homegrown terrorists. In doing so, they too are guilty of being disloyal to the Alaska Constitution, regardless of what some of their constituents’ ideology is.
First and foremost, all legislators’ loyalty is to the laws of Alaska and the United States. They can represent their constituents, but only within the boundaries of our laws. Eastman is not loyal to the Alaska Constitution, nor are those legislators not voting to remove him.
— Dan Boland
Anchorage
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