Jon Reisman

After the electoral beat-down that had me yelling at the TV (especially at a certain openly antisemitic Michigan Senator-elect), I sought some solace in drafting a number of legislative requests designed to lighten my mood, enlighten the process, enliven a few legislative hearings, and afflict the smug leftists without resorting to the violence (Charlie Kirk), lawfare, and power-uber-alles strategies they so openly and successfully embraced. 

In all likelihood, Hannah and her sisters will find a way to shut me up. Current betting favorites in the Kalshi/Pingree Prediction Markets suggest a public flogging in a blue Washington County town (Roque Bluffs, Machias, Eastport, Lubec) followed by revocation of internet access, Bill of Rights protections, and University of Maine System Emeritus status. Other than that, it’s all good.

For citizen and Democratic Socialist prosecutorial reference, the Bill of Rights and associated Democratic Socialist of America policy position:

Amendment I: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. REPEAL.

Amendment II: A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. REPEAL after a 72-hour waiting period.

Amendment III: No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. AMENDED to allow quartering of registered climate warriors/soldiers, especially in red communities.

Amendment IV: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. REPEAL.

Amendment V: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. REPEAL.

Amendment VI: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defence. REPEAL.

Amendment VII: In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. REPEAL.

Amendment VIII: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. REPEAL

Amendment IX: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. REPEAL.

Amendment X: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. REPEAL.

The first of likely numerous legislative requests:

•  Congressional Approval of National Popular Vote Interstate Compact

The Compact Clause (Article 1, section 10, clause 3) of the Constitution requires interstate compacts to be approved by Congress. The NPV compact, which Maine joined under Janet Mills, has not received such approval. I have asked Senator King to submit a resolution to that effect, and will repeat the request to both Troy Jackson and Paul LePage. I will note that I repeatedly asked Senator Collins, and she declined.

• Green Energy Sustainability and Disposal

The Island of North Haven is designated as the official state site for recycling/landfilling solar panels and windmills

• Definition of Equity

Any state agency or public education entity that pursues “Equity” as a policy goal must develop a definition of “equity” with associated metrics. The definition of “equity” must be consistent with statutes and precedents that ban racial and gender preferences and discrimination.

• Sound Science and Accountability in Climate Policy

State policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions must include a sound science-based estimate of the amount of climate change averted and the impact on energy prices.

• Conservative ID

Any person who voted for Donald Trump, Bobby Charles, and/or Susan Collins and did not apologize for it must wear a large and openly visible yellow “C” star in public. If the miscreant publicly recants and embraces Hannah and her sisters, a limited restoration of voting rights may be considered. I urge every aggrieved Mainer to send legislative requests to their elected representatives, even Democratic socialists. Conflicts will arise because leftists have very different definitions (when they deign or are forced to provide one) of Democracy, Equity, and Unconstitutional. 

I’m considering starting a weekly “No Queens/Socialism Sucks” demonstration in Machias to explore the issue. Let me know if you are interested in afflicting the comfortable.

Jon Reisman is an economist and policy analyst who retired from the University of Maine at Machias after 38 years. He resides on Cathance Lake in Cooper, where he is a Statler and Waldorf intern. Mr. Reisman’s views are his own, and he welcomes comments as letters to the editor here or to him directly via email at jreisman@maine.edu.