Representative Bobbie Moak (D-Bogue Chitto) submitted this column to JJ for publication:
Stifling Dissenters Weakens the Process
Several editorials in state newspapers have recognized the “unusual” (Clarion Ledger 11/14/12) and “heavy handed” (Enterprise Journal 11/16/12) method of removing Representative Linda Whittington from her assignment on the House of Representative’s Education Committee by Speaker Philip Gunn.
Committee assignments are made by the Speaker at the beginning of each new term in the House and historically these are the jobs members have for their entire term in office. However, during any term, members pass away, take appointments to other government positions or resign. The Speaker may shuffle assignments when this occurs because a new incoming member will receive the assignments left over as there are requests by current members for the departing member’s assignments.
Speaker Gunn, as all prior Speakers, has the authority vested in him by the rules to move a House member from one committee to another. In the past, members have always been consulted about proposed committee changes. These conversations almost always result in the member submitting their resignation to the committee in question and accepting an appointment to another. The reason Speaker Gunn’s action in this instance is newsworthy is because no speaker in recent memory has used the rule to summarily remove a member over a vote on a particular bill or a member’s position on a particular issue.
Last session, Rep. Whittington led a bi-partisan effort to curb language in the charter school bill pushed by Education Chairman John Moore. Whittington, who has a background in education and understands complex educational issues, won that fight. The effect of her win was embarrassment for the newly empowered Republicans who could not bring their ‘bell cow legislation’ from committee. Her removal was to increase the odds this did not happen again. Her committee replacement is a co-sponsor of the charter school bill.
So why haven’t other Speakers used House rules to summarily remove members from committees when members’ voting patterns are disagreeable to the Speaker? Presumably most have moved cautiously because such action creates an atmosphere that stifles debate during the committee process, puts the Speaker in the weakened and tenuous position of explaining his position of removing someone he put on that committee in the first place, and it appears to be deciding the outcome of legislation when a committee’s leadership cannot muster enough strength to move the process on its own without dramatic personnel changes. While past Speakers have almost certainly considered doing what Speaker Gunn has done here, they wisely calculated that any temporary success would be far outweighed by the establishment of a poor precedent.
It’s important to understand that the Republicans and Democrats who have taken objection with Speaker’s Gunn decision are not solely concerned with the outcome of charter school legislation. The real issue is that we foster an environment that leaves room for all duly elected legislators to voice the concerns of their constituents. I have learned that we make some of our best decisions when all concerns are aired out and weighed through the committee process. Any effort to stifle this process is predictably met with frustration by members and a public that desperately wants a functioning government.
As much fun as the theater of politics can be for spectators, no one likes it when the voice of their elected official is muffled.
Bobby Moak
House of Representatives
District 53
Bogue Chitto
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Moak: Don't stifle dissenters
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19 comments:
So what language did the representative fight for?
Somebody needs to ask, and keep asking, the LBC why Moak and the One-term Water Boy represent the voice of Democrats in Mississippi.
In other words, he wants the Republicans to sit down and shut up and accept the word of their opposition as fact? Something like that?
Sounds like Bobby's still smarting over losing out on the Speaker job when the house went republican in the last election. Appears as if he's taken on the role as complainer in chief instead. It would be different if this was a regular occurrence, but until such a pattern develops, let the Speaker act in his discretion to do what he was elected to do.
Has he ever enjoyed dinner with Nancy?
That is very funny coming from a Democrap in the MS House. Considering how Billy "worm farmer" McCoy ran the place when he was speaker for 12 years. Democraps didn't want to hear or listen to a thing conservatives had to say - be they Democrap or Republican. Best advise I've got for you Rep. Moak - if you don't like it, you can haul your ass out of there at anytime. Otherwise, shut your pie hole, or take it back home.
That is some funny crap - being very polite - coming from a MS House Democrap member. When ole Billy "worm farmer" McCoy was in charge he locked the Republicans and conservative Democraps out in Siberia. Where was your outrage and disdain Mr. Bobby "the cry baby" Moak? Elections have repercussions Mr. Moak, and leadership has the right to stack the committees to reflect their personal and party opinion. PERIOD. All that other crap you blah blah blah ed about is just bs. You might have some legs to stand on if you and the rest of your liberal retards hadn't been thrown out of relevance for the next decade plus of relevance in state politics.
While we are at it, why in the crap are you still representing Bogue Chitto? On multiple websites people report you live in Madison full time. Why hasn't somebody in Bogue Chitto dropped a dime on your cry baby law breaking fanny and had you charged with breaking the law?
Nice to see the Speaker finally went down to the military surplus store and bought himself a set of testicles. Now, if he will be as tough on the Weathersby Family Underboss as he was Ms. Whittington, charter schools will be good to go.
Btw, Moak is full of spin about the "bi-partisan effort" last year. It was democrats, joined by Weathersby and that jackass from Desoto County. One republican trying to protect the family bidness and another just being a lackey for his superintendent does not make it a "bipartisan effort."
Without commenting on the merit of the substance of Moak's statement, I'd just like to say props to JJ for printing an opposing viewpoint.
I wonder if old Bobby Moak pays his homestead taxes in Madison, or Buggercritter.
... I'd just like to say props to JJ for printing an opposing viewpoint.
Something JJ has been doing since its inception.
To Quote Ed Blackmon,
"where he lives is where he sez he lives". Remember Ed? He gives his address in Canton, next to all the voter inventory he owns (if he were a different race they would be called something other than inventory) all the while living in a posh mansion of 7,000 sq feet outside his district, sent his kids to private school (couldn't risk the public education).
Kenny 'lil' Wayne Jones, Kids in private school. Told Gallo on the radio his he wouldn't put his kids in Canton Public Schools and when pressed said 'are you kidding me?"
The homestead exemption means little Micah beyond offering a soundbite to seemingly dupe the voting public into believing that an inherently dishonest politician somehow is an honest member of a community in which they do not reside.
Bobby Moak has been living in Madison for over a decade. He kids went to and graduated from Jackson Academy. His wife has long been involved in any number of activities and social circles in the metro area. No he doesn't claim his homestead exemption in Madison but that doesn't negate the fact that he lives there full-time.
God forbid we should demand our Speakers to appoint to committees based on the knowledge and experience and abilities of the individual legislator.
Let's do have farmers on the education committee and teachers on the agricultural committee.
I don't give a damn how it's " always been done". I am appalled that the GOP is behaving like the worst of the Dems. Buddy Newman and Phil Gunn are indistinguishable. I am appalled that black elected officials are imitating the very good old boys they objected to as well.
Could those of both parties demand better?! You want change...change starts with both parties putting excellent job performance first.
Moak should remember that Speaker McCoy stifiled GOP opposition by refusing to appoint GOP chairmen during his last term and by not bringing up GOP legislation. This is called the spoils system and reflects the saying "elections have consequences". Gunn is following the example set by McCoy.
Also, there is no House rule that says that members of a committee cant be removed during the four year term. It is a gray area.
Also, whether Moak lives in Madison or Bogue Chitto is a matter totally between him and his constituents. They seem to be OK with his representation as they have reelected him over and over.
Bobby Moak is the Archie Bunker of the Mississippi House.
To: November 22, 2012 8:26 PM
Kingfish tells the truth with style and lets the chips fall where they may.
I'm 'represented' by Whittington. Her district includes all or part of 9 school districts - 9 lousy schools districts. Within these compounds of non-learning are 36 individual schools out of which only 3 rated B. NONE rated A. And 19 rated D or F. She needs to forget partisan politics, her main concern at this point, and think about our kids. She can tell the newspaper all day long that her 'constituents' are her concern. If so, it is hard to tell because with such spectacular and proven failure, nearly ANY proposed change should look good. Was the 1st bill perfect, heck no. Will this year's bill be perfect and certain to create perfect education, again heck no. But remaining in the condition in which we find ourselves, doing the same things over and over, and refusing to open our minds to change is pretty certain to just keep the Democratic status quo going. Or perhaps, that was her actual goal in wishing to serve on the committee to start with. She has certainly cried foul high and low - but who cares? The purpose of committees should not be to bottle up legislation, it should be to clean up language, check for duplication, and move the bill on down the line to the place where it is properly to be debated - the floor of the House of Senate. Looks like those who watched us move out Billy McCoy and his buddies would finally get the flow - but there are some slow learners in the delta even amongst the legislators. Too bad her feelings are hurt, better her feelings than the children's opportunities.
I guess no is is going to mention that said Rep wanted Gunn to appoint her vice-chair of tourism. She got her wish from the speaker. After getting what she asked for she had to be replaced on another committee. Gun chose the education committee. So what's the problem? She got what she asked for. Having said that Gunn is an idiot. He appointed a Dem to a vice-chair and now they are attacking him. No good deed goes unpunished. Stick with your own party next time Gunn and you won't have to put up with this nonsense. If Frierson had been elected speaker we wouldn't have to put up with Gunn lack of leadership experience.
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