New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo made headlines for saying that “America was never that great.” His anti-American sentiments and abuse of power have now thrown long-time rivals the ACLU and NRA together to fend off the Democrat’s war on Second Amendment rights.
In the politically polarized world we live it, it seems like an almost impossible alliance. The ACLU views that Second Amendment as a protection of a “collective right rather than an individual right.” The NRA strongly supports lawful gun ownership for everyday Americans.
While the parties may agree to disagree, they have a common enemy in public officials who attempt to threaten and intimidate citizens and advocacy group. That idea goes to the heart of ferocious litigation against the New York governor who reportedly implemented a “blacklist campaign” designed to defund the National Rifle Association. The ACLU has made a rare showing of support by filing an amicus brief in support of the gun rights organizations lawsuit.
“In the ACLU’s view, targeting a nonprofit advocacy group and seeking to deny it financial services because it promotes a lawful activity (the use of guns) violates the First Amendment,” ACLU legal director David Cole reportedly said. “If the NRA’s charges are true, the state’s actions would clearly violate the First Amendment.”
The often left-leaning watchdog group has taken a stance that dismissing the NRA’s claims against government intrusion “would set a dangerous precedent for advocacy groups across the political spectrum.
Cuomo Eye of Corruption Storm
Gov. Cuomo has been under fire for widespread allegations of pay-to-pay schemes and other forms of political corruption. It’s just this type of strong-arming and playing fast and loose that underscores allegations by the NRA that Gov. Cuomo is a powermonger who readily abuses his office.
Running for his third term, Cuomo’s inner circle has been rife with high-profile corruption convictions. Former campaign manager Joe Percoco, and Cuomo’s close legislative allies Sheldon Silver and Dean Skelos were convicted in corruption schemes. The governor’s primary economic advisor and former SUNY Polytechnic Institute president Alain Kaloyeros was reportedly convicted in a construction bid-rigging scandal.
Despite Cuomo’s close ties to these convicted felons, many New Yorkers turn a blind eye to government corruption and allow those in office to fester.
“The New York electorate seems to be inured to corruption, they seem to believe it’s normal and expected behavior,” SUNY Prof Gerald Benjamin reportedly said. “The cynicism is manifested in low turnout, and the inability to get any serious traction for reform. The Legislature has learned that reform is not a live-or-die issue.”
Fortunately, Gov. Cuomo’s ‘make America less great’ actions are being met by a pair of determined constitutional rights groups.
Cuomo’s Intimidation Tactics Exposed
It goes without saying that the likes of a liberal New York governor could never intimidate members of the NRA. Instead of showing the temerity to take the Second Amendment rights group head-on, Cuomo reportedly attempted to apply strong-arm tactics aimed at individual and company finances.
Following a meeting with anti-gun rights group Everytown for Gun Safety, New York’s Dept. of Financial Services reportedly targeted a company that worked with NRA-associated liability insurance. The company and others cut ties with the NRA after a 20-year relationship.
On the heels of this anti-NRA success, Financial Services head Maria Vullo issued two letters to numerous financial and insurance corporations that has been considered an implied-threat against NRA associations. Vullo reportedly urged companies to sever all ties with the NRA and others that that “promote guns and lead to senseless violence.” Her mandate also pressed companies to align themselves with “the voices of the passionate, courageous, and articulate young people” who want enhanced firearm restrictions.
In a less than subtle threat, she reportedly strongly advised businesses to “review any relationships they have with the NRA or similar gun promotion organizations, and to take prompt actions to managing these risks and promote public health and safety.”
Gov, Cuomo propped up her move by issuing a direct tweet.
“The NRA is an extremist organization. I urge companies in New York State to revisit any ties they have to the NRA and consider their reputations, and responsibility to the public,’” Gov. Cuomo published on the social media platform.
Lending institutions, insurance companies and others yielded to pressure by withdrawing significant financial support. The NRA fought back in the courts with a civil lawsuit. Gov. Cuomo’s actions run so far afield of American Constitutional rights that the ACLU has set aside its differences and joined the fight.
“Our position in this case has nothing to do with our opinions on the NRA’s policies — it’s about the First Amendment rights of all organizations to engage in political advocacy without fear that the state will use its regulatory authority to penalize them for doing so,” ACLU director Cole reportedly stated on behalf of the organization.
America will certainly be greater, again, when Cuomo loses in court.
~ Liberty Planet
