General Assembly’s Balloting Privileges

Leading to last weeks General Assembly vote to re-elect Governor Shumlin, legislators (and many media outlets) reminded us that members of the General Assembly have a special privilege.

Specifically, members of the General Assembly are specially entitled to exercise the choice of whether to cast their gubernatorial ballot in secrecy.

They own the privilege (at their sole discretion) to be unaccountable.

They own the privilege (at their sole discretion) to be aloof.

They own the privilege (at their sole discretion) to be fearful and to operate furtively in a dark, dank and cavern of secrecy.

They own the privilege (at their sole discretion) to be dismissive, arrogant and haughty when acting on our behalf.

Similarly:

The members of the General Assembly are specially entitled to exercise the optional choice of casting their vote for Governor in secrecy. They own the privilege (at their sole discretion) to be unaccountable.