From unconstitutional municipal codes to behind-the-scenes political maneuvering, combined with a statehouse sending its citizens and public integrity to the outhouse, heavily liberal-statist Rhode Island may not be immune to the conservative backlash sweeping the nation, and even the world, despite eighty years of Democratic dominance.
Not only that, unprecedented attacks against free speech, press, and the right to petition one’s government (including running for office) have become uncomfortably commonplace in New England, specifically in Rhode Island, where WPRO radio host John DePetro faced a union-sponsored boycott for his anti-union views, and where individual municipal employees face termination should they seek public office: Raymond T. McKay, network and telecommunications administrator for the city of Warwick, one of few solvent cities in one of the most bankrupted states in the union. McKay is prepping for a US Senate bid against three-term incumbent Democratic US Senator Jack Reed. A former Congressman who touted his prior military experience as well as legislative prowess, yet for his terms in office, Senator Reed has spent more times visiting Afghanistan instead of reaching out and representing his constituents in Rhode Island.
Trying to push unemployment insurance extensions and climate change in Washington, Reed should pay an extended visit to his home state when he has the chance. Rhode Island has the highest unemployment rate in the country, structural deficits eating away Rhode Island’s diminishing revenue. The state’s health care exchange, Health Source RI, is already unaffordable, with lawmakers seeking to bar any state funds for the program. And let’s not forget the 38 Studios video game company debacle, which went bust after taking a $75 million loan from the General Assembly), The Ocean State, whose motto is hope, may break the mold on bankruptcy protections. Not just cities or counties, but an entire state could end up in receivership.
Thus, a conservative groundswell is springing up in Rhode Island, the most unlikely of states, where Democrats have dominated the statehouse for eighty years, and the last Republican US Senator, Lincoln Chafee, lost by five points running to the left of President Bush in 2006.
In spite of the leftist politics which have popped up and proliferated in New England, conservatives are coming together to fight back, and the President of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly (RIRA) is leading the way. For the record, the Republican Assembly is a nationwide organization, the “conscience of the Republican Party” maintaining the conservative credentials of the GOP. With the failures of ObamaCare, the erupting scandals in the Department of Justice, the allegations fof misconduct from Operation Fast and Furious in connection with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, along with Internal Revenue Service abuses and Benghazi, Republican McKay has plenty of momentum to challenge the Democratic establishment in Rhode Island.
Except that there’s one problem: an obscure Warwick municipal code bars a certificated class of employees from seeking office, although 85% of city employees, including teachers, firefighters, and police are free to campaign. Cynical critics contend that such an ordinance protects union members (90% of the time Democratic) while preventing non-affiliated (mostly non-union employees) from challenging the political status quo whether city, stare, or federal.
Both unconstitutional as well as inscrutable, this law has sparked the outrage of citizens, radio hosts, and even the Rhode Island ACLU. Conservative McKay once quipped “Don’t judge me!” because he is relying on ACLU’s counsel, and frankly no one should. Reports have also surfaced which allege that the mayor of Warwick, Republican Scott Avedisian, has secretly acknowledged his support for Democratic Senator Jack Reed. Why would one Republican prevent another Republican from running for office? Unconfirmed reports suggest that Avedisian supports Democrat Jack Reed because of his Washington power, and will do anything to prevent a more conservative counterpart from ruining a political confidant’s reelection chances. The mayor has not responded to local press inquiries, however, to confirm or deny these allegations.
Ultimately, such arguments have little relevance: the law is unconstitutional, regardless of one’s political affiliation. Besides his best efforts to work with the city council, McKay has further shared in print and on the airwaves the city memorandum which informed him that, should he run, he would be tendering his resignation for office. After McKay sought injunction relief in state court, the city then switched venues to a federal court, thus delaying a final ruling until the end of March, one week after McKay’s projected announcement date.
So far, McKay’s US Senate run remains in limbo, yet the resurgence for liberty is in full force. Should anyone be surprised? New England, particularly Rhode Island, was a first-fruits of liberty in the United States. The tiniest state in the union was the first colony to break away from the Crown of England during the American Revolution, the last state to ratify the US Constitution. With his controversial bid for US Senate, McKay may resurrect not just the Republican Party of individual liberty and limited government in New England, but the forlorn spirit of the American Revolution, where the “shot heard round the world” signaled the ascent of personal freedom against government tyranny.
Arthur Christopher Schaper is a teacher-turned-writer on topics both timeless and timely; political, cultural, and eternal. A life-long Southern California resident, Arthur currently lives in Torrance.
