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The upcoming school levy vote raises the ancient principle: “Nemo judex in causa sua.” Translated from the Latin: “No one should be a judge in his own cause.”

In a levy vote, employees of the school district are judging their own cause, because the level of school funding affects their wages and job security. We have to remember that the schools are not supported voluntarily, with donors contributing on the basis of generosity. The public is forced, under the threat of seizure of their homes, to pay the taxes that support the schools. Therefore, anyone who votes in a school levy election — or who works to persuade others how to vote — is playing a role in deciding how government’s force should be used.

All across America, special interests actively lobby to extract tax subsidies for personal benefit. Bonner County school employees have an opportunity to rise above this self-dealing and give an example of idealism. They could pledge not to vote on the levy question. They could put signs on their lawns that say, “you decide.”

JIM PAYNE

Sandpoint