By Guy Page
S265, the criminal threatening bill, passed the Vermont House today, but not without verbal pushback from two Republican lawmakers.
The bill doubles the maximum prison sentence from one year to two years for criminal threatening if the threatened person is a political candidate, elected official, or government employee (among other protected categories). It passed 89-32.
Due to changes in the House version, it now goes back to the Senate for reconciliation. It was sponsored by senators concerned about possible aggression against lawmakers and other public officials.
“I believe in and support the good intentions of this bill but I cannot vote to make myself more equal – even if just a little more equal – than my neighbors,” Rep. Matthew Walker (R-Swanton) said in explanation of his ‘no’ vote.
In George Orwell’s classic political satire Animal Farm, politically powerful farm animals explain their claim to special privileges by telling the other barnyard animals, “All animals are equal – but some are more equal than others.”
Rep. Patti McCoy (R-Poultney) explained her no vote as follows: “A carve out to somehow hold ourselves above an existing law that already protects everyone, is something I cannot support.”
At least one legislator spoke in support of added protections for lawmakers. Rep. Barbara Rachelson of Burlington said: “Threats against State employees, elected officials, election workers, and others have increased in Vermont. These threats go against Vermont values and result in keeping people from serving or working, or drive people to stop serving or working. We’ve sadly already seen that happen right here in our Chamber. I voted yes to strongly send a message that this behavior is not okay and will not be tolerated.”
Categories: Legislation
They could have at least made it the same for everyone.
Nope,
Some are more equal than others. Pigs. Marxist Pigs at that.
Fair is Fair. If you don’t want to be challenged, then DO NOT SHUT DOWN AND SILENCE things that are contrary to your beliefs (or should i call it what it really is…Agenda!
The only reason any official feels threatened is because we the people have had to fight you tooth and nail to be heard! Aren’t you supposed to be representatives????
Perhaps if these people of power started leaving people alone and stopped trying to take over every aspect of their lives and their children’s lives they wouldn’t need extra protection. When government over reaches in it’s power, the citizens, under our constitutions have a right and an obligation to speak up. The judge of who’s threatening someone will be where the issues arise. Some people are “triggered” easier than others. I’m sure we will see future problems with this as under God and our constitutions we are all equal. Some just think they are more important than others. Apparently 89 of them in the Peoples House.
Sad to admit, Dano is correct.
I would write my reps and senators and ask them for several instance of “Threats against legislators or public workers” but , the only one who answers out of the 5 is full of malice and believes that He’s more equal than me.
If you can’t take the heat git outta the kitchen. Nobody anointed these folks as any sort of royalty.
What are the dems so fearful of? Someone might not like their idea and speaks up against it?
As a public figure for 20 years I have never been or felt threatened and there have been those who disagreed with me. This bill was started by a person who then convinced others to be fearful and VOILA group think. We need independent thinkers in Montpelier. People who don’t follow the crowd or try to stay safe and in with the cool kids. People willing to think for themselves and not be a rubber stamp for a party or union.
Vermonters deserve better given all the money we spend here. Fix the dam pension problem and address real issues that affect people lives such as the drug addicted and drug deaths no one is talking about along with the human trafficking that is going on. Or is that too complicated to work on. Seems like the legislators would rather work on how to shut down your heating fuel or sign you into a new rental unit or self employed registry. Vermonters deserve better than this.
When you have no solutions to our real problems, or aren’t even willing to acknowledge them, this is what you do – come up with solutions to nonexistent problems. This one also positions them as victims, which in their minds is icing on the cake.
Hey DIMocrat legislators: ALL your policies are Marxist, you will NEVER take over the USA, your ideologies are EVIL, and golly gee —- I sure hope I haven’t “threatened” you with these FACTS.
If I do, then come & get me….I’d LOVE to have my 15 minutes of fame on Fox !!!! You are each pathetic, miserable, elitist, Communist psychopaths without an ounce of decency in your DNA.
You can and will NEVER violate my right to FREEDOM OF SPEEECH. The Press has largely caved, but me? N-E-V-E-R.
Lastly, you each make Putin look like Christ incarnate, and Hitler is awfully proud.
Well, you know my number.
Oh, and…..HAPPY EASTER!!!! CHRIST LIVES!!!!!
Of course, recent Vermont legislation is it not at all threatening to the citizens of the state. Ha ha ha….
Federal government passed the same law to protect all government employees years ago. This is why they no longer respect the rights of citizens. I think we need a bill calling for a good automatic caning of any arrogant self-serving government employee.
I have a great product idea. The poli-whacker 2000. Deployed automatically when a politician says something self important or stupid.i bet demand would be huge across the country.
I feel threatened by this legislation.
Where is MY recourse and protection from IT?
I do believe that they have forgotten “They work for us” !! Can’t wait to see how they twist the definition of threat !
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The irony of the criminals rewriting the criminal conduct code to protect themselves from criminal conduct. Nice try! What is lost on elected officials is I don’t need a badge to write an affidavit or submit evidence of criminal conduct. The People enforce the law and the People have the power to take them all out. If judges and law enforcement were not as corrupted as the Legislature and Administration – this State would not be in free fall. We, the People, do not consent or comply with unconstitional, treasonous actions of installed criminals posing as lawmakers.