On Issues of Human Equality Compromise is Not an Option!

ON ISSUES OF HUMAN EQUALITY COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION

A reader of the Iconoclast suggested that I check out today's editorial piece in The Farmville Herald (February 22, 2006). This piece, is entitled "An Important Step, Yes, But PE Should Ensure Farmville Residents Don't Score Mute Points" and can be read in its entirety by clicking here.

The Iconoclast believes in giving credit (or blame) where it is due. So it is with pleasure that the Iconoclast congratulates the Herald on its attention to this important matter of public interest in Prince Edward County and its thoughtful contributions to the debate. The Herald endorses the idea of holding joint public hearings including both the Town of Farmville and Prince Edward County on development issues located in close proximity to the Town. It also supports the idea of inviting the Town to submit input to the Board of Supervisors on matters similarly related to the Town's interests.

Perhaps most important the Herald points of that County residents living within the Town of Farmville deserve something more than these helpful but rather mechanical administrative understandings between officials of the two local governments. The Herald editorial eloquently sums it up:

Prince Edward County residents living in Farmville deserve more than a voice in their county planning decisions; they also deserve a vote - as other county residents are represented during the planning process. Just as they have votes on the Board of Supervisors and School Board. A voice without a vote can be like the volume button on a television - easily muted. Farmville's voice needs someone to push the ASAP button to create its vote on planning commission decisions.

This editorial position is certainly in line with what most citizens are telling the Iconoclast.

As pleased as the Iconoclast is that The Farmville Herald has taken this principled position on the issue of Town of Farmville representation on the Prince Edward County Planning Commission, we do have some misgivings with the closing editorial comment that "Any kind of vote would be better than none..." and with the suggestion of possible compromises short of full and equal representation on the Planning Commission for citizens of Farmville.

In the original CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, Article I. Section 2. speaks of representation apportioned among the several States...based on the "whole Number of free Persons... [and]...three fifths of all other Persons." The 14th Amendment of the Constitution ratified July 9, 1868, fixed that little problem by elevating those"second class citizens" who were only counted as "three fifths" to become whole people... it is called human equality.

When it comes to questions of human equality, we would hope that there is no room for compromise...even in Prince Edward County.