Today’s Sun Sentinel (10 More Cities Join Gun Lawsuit Against Florida) showed an example of Florida’s inconsistent Republican leadership. It referenced a state law from 2011 that “outlines penalties for elected officials who try to enact gun laws.” It is important to note that Republican leadership is often different than rank-and-file Republicans (the same could be said for Democrats). The inconsistency identified here is certainly influenced by other competing interests such as PACs, large donors, effective lobbyists, and the desire for re-election. This 2011 statue became law under the watch of Republican Governor Rick Scott and a Republican controlled legislature. This is absurd for multiple reasons:
Inconsistent Republican Leadership
At the national level, the Republican Party pretends to support stat’s rights, saying that power at the state level is closer to the people; implying that Washington DC should not be trusted. But apparently in Florida, the Republican Party believes that power should not be trusted at the municipal level; implying that Tallahassee should be trusted. Wait a minute, Republicans…which is it? Power to the people, or power to the central government?
Vengeful in Tallahassee
A municipality cannot make a law that is in opposition of the state in which is resides. When this does occur, there is a court system to address it. This is a long established legal tradition. But in the 2011 statute, the State of Florida established penalties for locally elected officials that include a “$5,000 fine” and “removal from office.” Central government should not wield undue political power over subordinate elected bodies and threaten penalties for disagreement.
What About the Governor?
Rick Scott is Full of Crap. Governor Scott can say he is a champion for gun control in 2018, but where was he in 2011 when this bill was passed under his watch?
-Andrew Schoolnik 5/17/18