When a politician who I’ve supported does not herself vote to promote and protect civil liberties — the primary right being the freedom to speak and protest — extended to elected politicians and citizens, I question my own judgment in voting for that politician. For me, the foundational principle in favoring Democrats is my expectation that those I vote for will also protect the right to speak and protest, which, however you choose to view it, is the foundation of constitutional democracy.
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, voted to censure Al Green who, in a very demonstrative way, protested Donald Trump calling those who exercise those rights “lunatics” in his address to Congress. I expect Perez to protect these rights when she votes. I question my own vote for her when she does not.
