Romney’s dividing vote

Sen. Mitt Romney told Chris Wallace that his impeachment vote was guided by “feelings, heart, and conscience” and by the hymn “Do what is right, let the consequence follow.”

Like Mr. Romney, I grew up singing that in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Like Romney, I’m a grandparent with a law degree. Romney invoked his faith — my faith – perhaps to bolster weak legal arguments. Like Romney, I grew up with a powerful Book of Mormon story: When “king-men” tried to overthrow the government, Captain Moroni angrily tore his cloak, wrote on it, and hoisted it on a flag pole “in memory of our God, our religion, our freedom, our peace, our wives, and our children.” He knelt to pray for his country then strapped on his sword and gear. He went through the towns waving the “title of liberty” and shouting for an army. Thousands came running to that flag and battle, united and ultimately victorious.

Rather than unite, Romney cast a “dividing vote.” It was not the deciding vote because of valiant women and men who talk a little about God and a lot about liberty and the rule of law.

Laurie Frost

Boise