Point of View: Do you know who the fourth branch of government is?
I’ve been asking friends if they know what the fourth branch of government is. Most say there are three, but I opine that there is a fourth.
Most of us (I hope) know that the government is organized into three branches: judicial (interprets the law), legislative (makes the laws) and executive (enforces the laws). Each branch has certain responsibilities, and establishes a system of checks and balances, so that no branch would be stronger than the other.
If one branch becomes too strong, the others work to correct that. Fast forward to 2025 and our executive branch is so out of control (the judicial branch is trying to keep the executive branch in line) that many of us our worried that our democracy is dying. The executive branch is corrupt, immoral, and is not listening to other branches’ wills. Instead, the executive branch threatens any branch, through intimidation, to get what they want. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski in April said, speaking out against Trump, “we are all afraid,” and then added that “I am oftentimes very anxious myself about using my voice because retaliation is real.” This is not rule of law, this is a constitutional crisis. We are becoming a country ruled by a convicted felon, and his overall goal is to have an autocracy.
So, what happens now? Can the judicial branch or legislative branch keep up with the constant attacks on our democracy by the executive branch? We need help. As I see it, the fourth branch needs to rise up. “We the People” need to be active in the pursuit of keeping our democracy.
The fourth branch has power and, through actions, can make a difference. These include voting, contacting your representatives (phone calls, letters, emails), attending rallies, volunteering, donating money or time to groups that are actively engaged in stopping illegal actions, writing letters, and posting on social media. How about regular phone calls with a representative’s aide — building relationships can help tear down walls.
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Our history is fraught with bad things, really bad things, but we have risen during these times and don’t stand idle. We the people, the fourth branch of government, will continue to stand up against the corruption and the inhumanity of this administration.
On Saturday, June 14, there will be many demonstrations across the country and in Alaska where you can participate and show you are opposed to this cruel and unjust administration.
Alex Koplin is a Homer resident.