#TXLEGE: Bonnen's "no campaigning" edict violates Democrats' (*) First Amendment Rights

"Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?"
Galatians 4:16

* -- Bonnen's edict violates the first amendment rights of all members, but for the purposes of this blog post we're elaborating on the Observer piece.

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The Texas Observer makes a really good point:

But soon after the session adjourned, Bonnen issued a thinly veiled warning to Democrats. In an interview with Texas’ major newspapers, Bonnen said that he expects all House members to refrain from campaigning against any of their colleagues — Republican or Democrat. “If you campaign against another one of your colleagues, two things will happen to you,” Bonnen said. “I will weigh in against you, and if I’m fortunate enough to continue as speaker, you will find yourself not well positioned in the next session.”

Democrats’ 2018 gains forced Republicans to finally address the rotten fruits of their decade-plus of legislative labor. Now, the speaker is demanding that the ascendant minority party disarm itself and maintain the status quo. According to the Dallas Morning News, when asked how a Democratic member charged with orchestrating a House takeover strategy in 2020 should proceed, Bonnen replied: “Move cautiously.”

Confession: We didn't think about it until the Observer brought it up...but "move cautiously" is a quite thuggish, mafiaesque, message for an elected official from the majority party to deliver.

Facing the best political environment they've seen in awhile, and are likely to see for awhile, members of the minority party are supposed to disarm?!?

Democrats are well within their rights, and if they have any self-respect they really ought, to tell Dennis Bonnen to pound sand.

Bottom Line: Bonnen's proposed aristocracy is bad for any number of people for any number of reasons.  Among those hurt are the minority party.  They ought not comply....