The assault on democracy in North Carolina

by | Jul 27, 2018 | Editor's Blog, NC Politics | 11 comments

Since 2013, North Carolina has stayed in national headlines because of the political antics of the Republican legislature. The tactics they’ve used are far more disturbing than their policies. They’ve brazenly undermined democracy and systematically removed checks and balances from the government. What’s more disturbing is the silence from people who should know better.

As soon as Roy Cooper beat Pat McCrory in the race for governor, the legislature began transferring power reserved for the governor to the legislature. They’ve been so successful that, when asked by a reporter if the proposed constitutional amendments were designed to strip power from Cooper, Berger laughed and asked, “Does he still have any?” Moore chimed in, adding, “If you have any suggestions, let us know.”

The two legislative leaders thought they were being funny, but it was only funny because it was so true. They’ve got veto proof majorities in both houses of the legislature despite only accumulating slightly more than a majority of the legislative votes. Now, they’re going trying to accumulate more power by stripping the governor of his appointment powers in proposed constitutional amendments.

They’ve protected their majorities with the most egregious gerrymanders in the nation. Instead of denying trying to disenfranchise Democrats through rigged districts, they’re proud of it. When asked why he drew Congressional Districts that gave Republicans a 10-3 advantage, Rep. David Lewis replied that he didn’t believe it was possible to draw an 11-2 map. Those aren’t the words of somebody concerned about free and fair elections.

In towns and counties across the state, the legislature has tried to rig municipal elections to give Republicans more influence. They’ve redrawn districts for county commissioner and school boards without input from the leaders of those places. They’ve made nonpartisan races partisan, including judicial contests, where partisanship should matter the least. 

Republicans are now aiming for the judiciary. They worked on redistricting the Superior Court and District Court seats but have put that off until next year. They’ve tried so hard the rig the Supreme Court race for the Republican that they actually changed the rules retroactively to strip the registration from one of the candidates. They’ve put constitutional amendment on the ballot to give the legislature the power to appoint new judges.

Otherwise responsible conservatives turn a blind eye to these efforts to eliminate competition in elections and remove the checks and balances of government. Instead they point to tax breaks that they claim have made North Carolina an economic powerhouse even though wages are barely above pre-recession levels and too many people work multiple jobs to make ends meet. Fortunately for them, the Republicans in Washington have stolen the spotlight. The national press is now consumed by the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans who have the undermined norms and traditions that protected our democracy. Sounds a lot like North Carolina.

11 Comments

  1. jm

    The NCGOP is more of a threat to the everyday liberties of everyday North Carolinians than is ISIS. At the core, Berger and Moore are truly evil people and enemies of democracy who are determined to build North Carolina into an oligarchy for the wealthy.

    • EBRUN

      Those who support a political ideology different from the radical Left are “evil” and “enemies of democracy?”

      Another example of how extremist ideology can distort one’s perspective. The radical left is so outraged that they are unable to dominate the body politic that they resort to vitriolic invective that perverts and constrains rational debate. So who are the real “enemies of democracy?”

  2. Russell

    How am I going to get rid of gerrymandering? One party rule has repeatedly led to repeated disasters. People are beaten down.
    Judges have ruled that the drawings of voting districts violate Federal law,
    then there are pleas of “No time to Change!” And then the illegal district drawings are continued.
    Redrawn and no better or worse.
    Wedge issues are exploited. Labor is beaten down.

    • Ebrun

      On party rule in NC? Have you been hiding under a rock? The Democrats, under Governor Roy Cooper, control the executive branch, the Attorney-General’s office and staff and have a majority on the NC Supreme Court. The Republicans control the legislative branch and a few independent state offices. There is no one party rule in NC now or will there be in the foreseeable future.

      • Anonagain

        Dear ole Ebrun! You neglect to mention that while the Dems do indeed control the governor’s mansion, he is effectively powerless to stop the legislature since Republicans can override his veto on EVERYTHING, due to their excessive gerrymandering. A state that is pretty much evenly divided should not have one party holding over 60% of the seats in the state house and 70% in the state senate.

        • ebrun

          Gee Anonagain, didn’t all you liberals think SCOTUS was going to overturn NC’s Congressional districts due to gerrymandering. Looks like that’s not going to happen.

          In effect, all’s fair in love, war and politics. The Democrats did it and would do it again if they get the chance. But all our Congressional districts are equally composed of citizens who are eligible to vote. They were not born Republican or Democrat.

          What Democrats have to do is to convince real people that your philosophy of big government is best for the citizenry and they will vote you in despite any alleged gerrymander.

  3. Scott Bryan

    Is there any such thing as a “responsible conservative?”
    We’re in white rhino territory.

    • smartysmom

      Scott, what is white rhino???

      • David

        An endangered species.

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