Chris smith
The writer raises concerns about Congressman Smith's views on Hungarian democracy. [1] The writer questions if the US would be considered a democracy if the constitution was rewritten 4 times in a year by a simple majority, removing checks and balances. [2] The writer also questions if reducing the powers of the constitutional court to only reviewing "dead laws" could still be considered a democracy. [3] Similarly, the writer questions if it would be a democracy if the congress and senate were subdued to the government, making it impossible for other parties to win. [4] Finally, the writer notes that having a media authority composed of only ruling party members able to regulate media without following court decisions calls into question whether Hungary can
Chris smith
- 1. Att Congressman Chris Smith, R-NJ Re: Your views on Hungarian Democracy Dear Sir! Prompted by the views you aired after the US Helsinki Committee Hearing on Hungary on 19th March, 2013, I feel urged to raise a few questions. 1 Would you like to live in a United States where either the Conservative or the Democratic Party could make a New Constitution, practically alone, and then change it four times within a year, thus deweeding practically all checks and balances? All in the name of the ’2/3 Majority’, i. e. 52 % of the votes given by 27 % of the population. If you say Yes, would you call it a Democracy? If you say No, do you think that we Hungarians would like to live in a Hungary that is molded like that? And do you think we call it a Democracy? Good governments make laws that fit the Constitution. Not so good governments make and re-make the Constitution to fit their arbitrary laws. This is the Hungarian Way. 2 Would you call the United States a Democracy if The Highest Court that is guarding the Constitution and that is the Highest Order Check and Balance were made almost totally inoperative? This is exactly what happaned in Hungary. Would you call it a Democracy? The powers of the Constitution Court are reduced to that of a Coroner, i. e. examining dead laws.
- 2. 3 Would you call the United States a Democracy if both the Congress and the Senate were subdued to the Government and were ready to make and pass laws that would make it almost impossible in the future for any other party to win? I’m only asking because this is exactly what happened in Hungary. Would you really call Hungary a Democracy? With this, the Hungarian Government has taken away our, i. e. the Voters’ rights to vote again, and maybe better next time round. 4 Would you call the United States a Democracy if The Almighty Media Authority, composed 100 % of Members of the Ruling Party, could regulate all the radio and television frequences and if this Authority would not bother at all with executing decisions of law courts? I’m only asking because this is exactly what happened in Hungary. Would you really call Hungary a Democracy? Sincerely yours, Leslie Simonfalvi, Hungarian citizen sleslie@maildatanet.hu