Editorial: 230 years ago nation's founders saw tyranny N.C. legislators now seek to impose
Two-hundred-thirty years ago in the Federalist Papers, James Madison identified what the leaders of the N.C. General Assembly are trying to do with their bundle of State Constitutional amendments. "The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny."
Posted — UpdatedThis is not about Republicans vs. Democrats. This isn’t about liberals vs. conservatives. It isn’t even about Gov. Roy Cooper vs. Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore.
There was some revealing give-and-take at the start of the recently-adjourned legislative session after a journalist asked the legislature’s GOP leadership if they planned anymore efforts to weaken Gov. Roy Cooper. “Does he still have any,” Berger chuckled. “If you have any suggestions, let us know,” Rep. Moore chimed in. They weren’t joshing.
If they truly wanted voters informed, these legislative leaders wouln’t have concocted these amendments in secret, rushed them through the legislative process in just days with NO input from the citizens and practically no examination and debate from other legislators.
Putting in the fix seems to be a way of life for these legislators – they rig their electoral districts to guarantee their seats, they manipulate laws in the midst of campaigns to rig elections and now want to put their big, fat thumbs on the scales of governmental power.
It is unnecessary and wrong.
Don’t let anyone suggest that voting isn’t anything less than the MOST IMPORTANT OBLIGATION of citizens. Rejection of all these amendments will send a strong message to legislators that voters are watching, can’t be fooled and like James Madison, know tyranny when they see it.
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