WBOB Original Reads

Enough with Single-Issue Voting

7/2/2019

Allan Giberti

Last week the Rhode Island General Assembly left for the summer recess, and all I can say is “thank God.”

This has been the worst session for any legal citizen of Rhode Island, Republican or Democrat. If you have to ask why, then you are part of the corruption problem on Smith Hill.

In the past few weeks we have seen the Democrats vote and pass legislation that only has one thing in common. The continuation of their political careers. It’s painfully obvious, disgusting and we will remember. It is a threat and it is also a promise.

Rhode Island has been a liberal stronghold for decades now, the House, the Senate and the Governor are all Democrats. You’d only have to look at our economic, educational and the cost of living rankings to see that. Our government has always been known for its corruption, and that hasn’t changed. Some wear it as a badge of honor. Democrat lawmakers have their constituents by the short hairs, and continue to bleed the people dry both financially and morally.

I have always found Rhode Islanders to be passionate. We practically started the revolution in order to gain our freedom from England. With the conclusion of this legislative session, that same passion is more tangible than ever.

It’s time to call a spade a spade. RI Democrats call it being bipartisan. I call it extortion.

It has been common practice for Democrat lawmakers to support groups only if those groups in turn support them. That is nothing new, but the RI General Assembly has used this to push their own radical agendas. Allow me to explain.

I am a fierce defender of the 2nd Amendment and here in RI. Governor Gina Raimondo and her Democrat lemmings would love nothing more than to remove all protections that it affords. I have never seen a group of individuals who will not waste an opportunity to stand on the graves of those killed by criminals with illegally obtained firearms and use it to punish law abiding citizens. No, I will not apologize for stating the truth. As they stand there and pontificate on how much more virtuous they are because they care about you, they will force those of us who defend the US Constitution to concede a little bit each legislative session if we support them. Foolishly, many have. However, support for these individuals also lends support for continued pandering for votes and their radical, socialist ideas.

We have been slowly selling our souls, piece by piece each legislative session in order to keep not just a right afforded to us by the US and RI Constitutions, but also by God.

I am only using the 2nd Amendment community as an example, but they aren’t the only ones who have been duped by these corrupt lawmakers. If you own property in RI, if you send your children to our schools or even if you simply reside and work here, you have fallen victim to politicians whose number one priority is to remain in office. In RI, supporting a candidate because they promise to support your cause is foolhardy at best and detrimental in reality.

This is only a small example of what your Democrat Representatives and Senators have accomplished in the past few weeks:

Education – Despite the abysmal condition of our educational system, as outlined by the John Hopkins University report, lawmakers passed an education “reform package” that gives principals more control over their schools and mirrors the school performance-evaluation laws in Massachusetts. No matter what you call it, Common Core is still Common Core and No Child Left Behind has clearly left our children behind.

A bill that would make sex between school employees and students a crime, even after they’ve reached the legal age of consent in Rhode Island which is 16, failed. It would have made school employees who engaged in sex with a student a level-3 sex offender, but that would mean they would have to register as such for life. Apparently that’s too harsh a punishment for taking advantage of someone they’re supposed to have custodial responsibility over. The teacher’s union vehemently opposed it and of course, the Democrats listened. They are, after all, huge campaign contributors to the Democrats. I imagine it’s every parent’s dream to have their 16-year-old son or daughter dating their teacher.

Eminent Domain – Jobs and people have been leaving RI for so long now that it’s not even news anymore. To solve the problem of a crumbling economy, the Democrats passed a bill to give Pawtucket new powers to redevelop downtown through eminent domain. This legislation would have been limited to cities and towns with populations between 60,000 and 80,000, and would allow the city to take property for economic development without having to pay 150% of market value, plus relocation expenses. Instead, it would’ve taken property for fair market value. Now that throws a monkey wrench in the whole American Dream thing, doesn’t it?

The Budget - Rhode Island’s new budget is about $9.97 billion dollars from the taxpayers this year. This works out to $9,970 per person. Now compare that to Massachusetts, who’s state budget is approximately $6,000 per person and New Hampshire’s budget which is about $5,000 per person. RI also had a law that stated that if the state ever imposed an “internet” tax, the current 7% tax would drop to 6.5%. RI Democrats repealed that law.

Abortion – In the guise of “codifying Roe v Wade”, RI Democrats passed the Reproduction Privacy Act which expanded abortion laws and legalized late term abortion. Republicans tried to add amendments to the bill to anesthetize the baby before it is ripped apart, inspections for abortion facilities to maintain medical standards, stopping taxpayer funds from being used for abortion unless it is in a case of rape, incest, or if the life of mother in in danger and lastly to define what “health” is. All amendments failed.

Medical Database – A law that collects your personal medical information, information that is between a doctor and patient, and is constitutionally protected by law and will be available to many government agencies. Unlike other states, RI’s law only has an “opt-out” option and not an ‘’opt-in,” plus the information is vulnerable to data breaches and cyber criminals.

From a 2nd Amendment supporter’s point of view, I’m done. Pass whatever anti-civil liberties, gun grabbing legislation you want because I refuse to support these manipulative politicians any longer. Please continue to pander to the mob, virtue signal and begin your gun confiscation. We will be waiting for you.

Until then, I suggest the RI Democrats brace themselves for the next election. We promised to oppose you every chance we got, and we intend to do just that.

Happy Independence Day, Rhode Island. Again.