The Pragmatic Conservative

The adult in the room

Colt Black

(6/2023) As a Republican, I will always call out my own party for hypocrisy. Because if we cannot call it out within our own party, we are charlatans of the highest degree to dare call out the left, and not clean out our own house.

Most right leaning politicians and their supporters will state they believe in the Constitution as the supreme law of the land and those who’d dare violate the rights of citizens should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

I concur with this simple premise; however, it should shock every freedom loving American to their core that an overwhelming majority of politicians and Republican base are seemingly against this principal.

In the last few years, I’ve noticed a disturbing trend within Republican circles which is the attitude of politicians and the Republican voting block believing that law enforcement (police, sheriffs, state troopers, and federal agents) are without reproach, and must be supported at all costs because they are heroes and keep our communities safe.

Now I know what many are thinking that I’m some anti-police lefty but that is the farthest from reality. As a Constitutional minded Republican, I believe in the entire document that is the Constitution. So many of our friends so vehemently defend and speak on our 1st and 2nd amendment rights as the pillars of our freedoms. But what happens when law enforcement treats you as a second-class citizen for the exercise thereof?

How can Republicans find it acceptable that law enforcement harasses, threaten, intimidate, and arrest those who dare insult or question their authority when a redress of grievance with government, free speech, and a free press is guaranteed by the 1st amendment?

How can Republicans say we support the individual freedom to keep and bear arms when law enforcement will treat those who are legally exercising that right as dangerous? Including killing citizens participating in these constitutionally protected activities. While at the same time accepting as common place police officers violating the basic tenants of firearm safety in performance of their duties such as knowing your target and what’s beyond it and pointing firearms at something you don’t intend to destroy.

How can Republicans say we are a party of freedom when we allow and continue to allow court decisions and police policy which violate our 4th amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure?

How can Republicans say we support the Constitution when we allow police to think the worst of the citizens who exercise their 5th amendment right to remain silent and punish them for doing so?

How has Republicans come to accept violations of our fellow citizens 8th amendment rights against cruel and unusual punishment not by the hand of the state upon conviction but on the street by police officers?

Governmental accountability is a cornerstone of Republican ideals yet ending qualified immunity for law enforcement is taboo in most Republican circles. Meaning Republicans are willing to put government above the citizen by not allowing governmental actors to be held accountable when they do wrong.

How can Republicans hold their heads up as Constitutional supporters when they continue to allow civil asset forfeiture, which is the taking of citizens property including money without warrant, writ, or court order?

Why have we come to accept that our military has rules of engagement, but the legislatures both federal and state cannot put simple guardrails in place for law enforcement to follow which would protect both law enforcement and citizen alike.

How is it our law enforcement officers swear an oath to support and defend our Constitution, yet so many overtly and willingly violate our rights?

It is a lack of training? Perhaps a systematic attitude? Lack of judgement and morals by some officers? How about lazy politicians? The reality it’s all the above.

Republican law makers have repeatedly kicked the can down the road, allowing the courts to legislate from the bench. Protecting the interest of the government and the police they employ. Allowing police unions and interest groups to sway opinion, stating that the "citizens don’t understand police work" and to "trust in their judgement and experience" all the while in making legislative decisions whose consequence is on the citizen and not the police.

Police are supposed to be directly accountable to the citizens they serve as government is instituted among men deriving their power from the consent of the governed, yet somewhere this script has been flipped. It’s time we make a change.

There are many good rank and file police officers who see the issues, want to see changes but cannot speak out as they will be ostracized by their department and colleagues. It’s a hell of a position to be in knowing that due to your true desire to defend citizens’ rights as a police officer you may not be getting back up on a dangerous call or lose out on promotion. It’s time we come together to protect our officers who want to do the right thing, they need our help. Good police officers need protection from those in law enforcement who wish to maintain the status quo.

It’s time Republicans everywhere stand up to demand respect for all our Constitutional rights, create law that protects our citizens from overzealous law enforcement while protecting police officers who act within the scope of practice, and ensure that our Constitutional freedoms are intact for future generations.