The Commonwealth’s Governor, erstwhile Democratic mega fund raiser and full time Clinton sycophant, Terry McAuliffe, is reportedly going to be joined by the clueless Republicans in the Virginia Legislature to reward lawlessness; to encourage even further lawlessness; and to codify backroom blackmail.
As TBE’s Steve Albertson posted yesterday, The Washington Post is reporting that the Governor and his minion, Attorney General Mark Herring – who won his election by a handful of votes after a box of “overlooked ballots” miraculously showing up in Fairfax County – have bludgeoned the “legislators” into accepting a compromise on the illegal and unconstitutional action of AG Herring in December, where he unilaterally ended concealed carry permit reciprocity with twenty five other states as of February 1, 2016. (The Richmond Times is stating that both the Governor’s and Speaker’s office confirm the “compromise.)
Herring, of course, famously side-stepped the Commonwealth’s law on same sex marriage, saying it was unconstitutional, and wham, it was a done deal. Nothing happened. Lots of huffing and puffing, no action.
Now, it appears that the “Gov” and his BFF, mousetrapped the wily Republicans into “compromising” on McAuliffe’s “common sense gun laws” that were done outside the legislative process. Again. No action. Nothing.
To be clear; it is a defeat for Republicans and win for the Governor. He gets what he wanted and he didn’t have to lift a finger.
But, this perversion of law making outside the legislature, by edict, is a danger to Democrats and Republicans who actually believe in self-government and the rule of law.
This isn’t about guns or whether this specific action is good or bad. It’s about the people’s business being conducted – like President Obama’s example – by a “pen and a phone” rather than through the people’s elected representatives who have pledged to uphold the rule of law.
It is another sad day in Virginia.
8 comments
[…] today, my TBE colleague Michael Giere expressed the sentiment of a lot of grassroots conservatives who were suspicious of yesterday’s news about a […]
I’m as pro-gun as they come, but I’m also all for the rule of law. The AG’s initial revocation of our reciprocity with those 25 states was not a “perversion of law making outside the legislature, by edict,” he was appropriately following Virginia code (18.2-308.014) which is quite explicit. Seriously look it up.
I am very glad that reciprocity is being restored (it should be) but I can’t in good conscience cry foul over what was clearly a correct (legally speaking) decision by the AG and State Police.
Guns are such a minor issue with so many voters, despite what FOX and TBE claim. More important is the economy and ISIS. Time to focus on real problems.
Were do you get to draw the line and who decides on what articles of the Bill of Rights aren’t important enough to be concerned about when under attack? Is Amendment I and it’s guarantee of freedom of speech worth being concerned about when twisted and shaped to fit some political opposition that finds it objectionable? If you find defending the constitution a waste of time we don’t need to worry about the economy or ISIS because we have already lost. I think I’ll put my stake in the ground here in defense of the foundation of our Republic. I truly regret you can’t see that is something worth fighting for.
wow, what a excessive mischaracterization. But not unexpected here when one challenges GOP platforms.
There are so many other issues that impact daily lives outside of pretend attacks against your right to own a gun. This might be what makes you tick but it is not that significant when compared to other issues. I would rather focus on building the economy, keeping our infrastructure from crumbling, reducing health care costs, expanding jobs, supporting veterans, and defeating ISIS than guns. The polls I read and the folks I interact with across the country feel the same way – focus on the significant issues that affect our lives.
Guns are simply not that big of an issue with most. You can worry about them all you want but don’t let them keep us from progress.
I agree with your sentiments and position but the reality is that state business in Richmond has been done in some form or manner as this for a very long time. This isn’t exclusively a McAuliffe trend in any sense. Given the last thirty years or so that I have been paying close attention to it (at least those pieces that leak out from behind the closed doors) the one issue that has always struck me (besides how appalling and constitutionally dismissive it is) is how really awful the Republicans are at conducting these “negotiations” with the Democrats or even among themselves year in and year out despite a majority presence in the legislative body. The Republican track record in getting fleeced in these type of machinations rivals the Chicago Cubs and their quest for a World Series. Maybe if they spent less time bitching about Donald Trump and actually read his book “The Art of The Deal” we all might be better off.
Another great article, Mike!
Right on.