Dems assault on democracy

 Jonathon Turley:

This month, there was an “assault on democracy” in Tennessee.

It was not three members halting the legislative process, but rather their expulsion.

It appears that nothing says democracy like a bullhorn and obstructing legislative work.

I recently wrote a column on how American politics has become a simple matter of amplification after Democrats stopped the Tennessee House proceedings with a bullhorn to protest the lack of gun control measures.

I noted, “Today, for many, there is no room for nuance. Instead, they live in a world occupied only by ‘fascists’ and ‘insurrectionists.’ ”

Right on cue, Vice President Kamala Harris and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) proceeded to add their own amplified voices to the madness.

AOC even shared a video of protesters chanting “F–k you fascists” and promising that “Gen Z” will even the score.

I do not agree with the expulsion of the two members as opposed to other sanctions.

Expulsion should only come in rare and extreme circumstances.

While repeated disruption of the proceedings might qualify, I would have recommended censures and suspension from Committee positions.

Vice President Harris did not visit the families of the victims of the recent mass shooting in Nashville, but flew to the state to express her outrage at the expulsion of two legislators.

She praised the legislators while blaming the Republicans for victimizing the families whom she ignored on her visit.

The full-throated support for the actions of the expelled legislators is a bizarre position for the Senate president who enforces the same rules in Washington, DC.
...

Democracy does not invite or entail the disruption of democratic process.

It is the same bizarre claim for many on the left that silencing others by shouting them down on campuses is a form of free speech.

These legislators were upset because they are in the minority and lack sufficient votes to get what they want.

They were protesting the democratic process, not advancing its principles in shutting down the floor.
...

They were engaged in a heckler's veto and not in a serious debate.  It is something we have come to expect from many Democrats.