Legislators - Cowards Or Just More Important Than The Rest Of Us ?

Once again the Republican-controlled Texas legislature proves that sanity is not one of its strongest points. Now they seem to think they are special and should have privileges that no other Texans have.

Bills have been introduced in both houses of the Texas legislature that would allow legislators (just them and no one else) to carry concealed weapons anywhere they want to -- even places where concealed weapons are barred by state law (like bars, churches, amusement parks, hospitals, schools, and sporting events). The legislators think they should be immune to the laws that cover everyone else.

Now there are only two possible reasons for this silly law -- they either think they are more important than other people, or they are afraid to mingle with their own constituents without being armed.

Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth), who opposes the law and doesn't even have a concealed-carry license, said of the law, "I think its another example of legislators trying to live above the law. It sets a really bad example. It's embarrassing, frankly." Burnam is right. Far too often, both state and federal elected (and appointed) officials think they should be above the law they expect other citizens to obey.

I thought we had settled this question with the impeachment and resignation of Richard Nixon, and decided once and for all that no one, not even a president, is above the law. But then we had the failed presidency of George Bush where he and Cheney played fast and loose with the laws of this country (and international law). And they defended that by saying the things a president does (like torture and starting illegal wars) are not illegal because a president can't break the law (at least not a Republican one).

Now that same kind of thinking seems to have crept down to the state government level, where Republican officials now think they should be able to create special rules for themselves -- rules that wouldn't apply to anyone else. This kind of thinking needs to be stopped right now, because it has no place in a constitutional democracy (where all citizens are supposed to have equal rights).

But some legislators are counting on the "fear" option to get these special rights. Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt (R-Lexington) says, "It's a safety factor for elected officials who dedicate many hours of their lives to public service. You're afraid of that 1 in 10,000 or 1 in 100,000 that shows up and you are the target because you are in the public eye."

That's a ridiculous argument. The chances are great that if someone wants you dead then they will be able to do it (as long as they're willing to sacrifice themselves). It only takes a split second and won't matter whether you are armed or not. Think of the assassination of Robert Kennedy or the shooting of Rep. Giffords. The honest person would have to admit that the same thing would have happened even if they had each been armed.

If a legislator is too afraid to meet with his/her constituents in a place where guns are prohibited, then maybe it's time for that legislator to resign and let someone else take over that job -- someone who's not afraid to do it, and someone who will obey the same laws all Texans are expected to obey. There are plenty of people in both parties who can do the job without special privileges.

And one more thought. Considering the nuts many voters have sent to the legislature (in both parties), would you be comfortable having them toss back drinks in a bar and knowing they are carrying a loaded weapon? I wouldn't. Too many of them scare the hell out of me even unarmed.

This is just a very bad law and has no place in a constitutional democracy. It needs to be killed and never brought up again.