We have recently witnessed the Obama administration order the assassination of an American citizen living abroad. He was targeted and blown up by a predator drone. No trial, no judge or jury. No evidence. Just the dictate of one person.

The United States was formed to bring an end to the reign of power of one person over all. People rejected the rule of the king for the rule of law.

Government is supposed to protect the rights of its citizens. Wisconsin, itself a constitutional republic, must protect its citizens from the dangerous precedent set by allowing an all-powerful executive to assume the power to kill citizens without trial.

Although overshadowed by more immediate concerns, there is likely no more pressing issue before the state of Wisconsin now than this issue.  Our leaders should powerfully condemn this action. They should declare that Wisconsin will not permit the assassination of its citizens. This declaration should be followed up with specific legislation that makes this explicitly clear.  Wisconsin citizens are not to be deprived of life, liberty or property except by due process of law.

The goal of such action is certainly not for the protection of evil people. The Wisconsin Constitution has provisions for dealing with treason. People who do harm to us, citizens or not, need to be prosecuted. However, we must work to protect the rule of law in ordered to protect the rights of Wisconsin citizens and the integrity of our free society.

We must ensure that this radical expansion of executive power is not allowed to stand, so that it may never be used to target the people of Wisconsin.