Vox Populi vox Dei

As my readers probably know, on June 28^th Manuel Zelaya, former president of Honduras was put into exile by the

Manuel Zelaya

military of Honduras. Mr. Zelaya desired to change the constitution of Honduras so that he could serve another term in office, something specifically forbidden by the constitution. The high court of the country ruled the act illegal, and the congress supported the decision. However, Mr. Zelaya ignored the constitution, the court, and the congress and determined to have a public vote on the matter. Mr. Zelaya was then seized in his home, and sent to Nicaragua by the military.

The act brought down worldwide condemnation upon Honduras. Nearly every influential government has claimed it is impeding to democracy, and a step backwards in every way. These government officials claim that the people must have their say in the matter. The reaction of the world brings one to mind of the ancient Roman proverb: “Vox Populi vox dei”, meaning simply “the voice of the people is the voice of god”. The question then is raised: are the people god?

Under a democracy, whatever the will of the majority of people is, that is law. However, people’s tastes change almost day to day, and can have their minds quickly changed by a pretty face, or eloquent speaker. Honduras (like the United States), wasn’t intended to be a democracy, but a republic. The difference is this: under a republic there is such a thing as absolute law.

The purpose of constitutions is to provide absolute law, so that no one is above the law (including the people). In a government under a constitution, there is such a thing as absolute right, and absolute wrong, determined by the constitution. Under Democracy however, there is no absolute right or wrong. Right or wrong is determined by fad, which may quickly change.

Mr. Zelaya was elected president under the constitution, and did not respect the establishment thereof. In doing this he broke his commitment to the constitution and thus his legal claim to the presidency. This however is ignored by the rest of the world who continue to scream ‘vox populi vox dei!’ The military of Honduras was perfectly justified in what they did, as they had the authority of the Supreme Court, the congress and the constitution.

It is also interesting to note that the actions of the military (authorized by the supreme court) were in the name of the people. As is evident however, the people are divided, but the law, not the vote, is what must prevail. Law is what must rule a land, if law does not rule, tyranny will.

I say kudos to Honduras, and it is my hope that peace and the rule of law shall rein there, not Mr. Zelaya.