North Dakota State Senate
I’ve always thought of the North Dakota State Senate as the place where the idiotic bills go to die. It’s always been the more deliberative chamber where reactionary house bills that came from the lower chamber were given the attention they deserved. Which isn’t saying much.
That isn’t true anymore. The Democrats are so few in numbers that they can’t help the commonsense Republicans that are still there. And those commonsense Republicans are so few in numbers, it might not matter anyway. So rather than risk their reelection, they simply throw in with the idiots and hope no one notices.
I recently spoke to one of those commonsense Republicans. He’s been a good public servant in the Senate for years that’s always worked across the aisle to hear another point of view. I asked him why he had recently changed and voted the other way on an issue, as it’s something he hasn’t done in the past. His answer was simple, “if I don’t, they’ll primary me.” Imagine that after all these years of carrying his district for the Republicans, he’s now living in fear of them. Or at least in fear of the new Republican Party in North Dakota.
So, who’s to blame?
The obvious answer is the zealots that have taken over the Republican Party. Constantly telling people they are for less government, all while using their newfound power to do exactly the opposite. Knowing that while they lie, they actually want as much government as they can create. They want it in your doctor’s office, library, school, and even your bedroom. This new Republican Party knows better than you, and because of that, your personal decisions are now theirs to make.
That may be the obvious answer, but it’s not the right one. The fault truly lies with the commonsense Republican. That Republican that goes to the Senate every day in fear of losing his job that he feels defines him. What he doesn’t understand is that it shouldn’t and doesn’t. The votes that he casts and knows are right for the people is what defines him. Votes that make North Dakota a better place simply for having him serve.
Let’s see if he figures that out in the second half of the Legislative Session. Lord knows we need him to.
Good riding with you,
Joel
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