Gov. Cuomo: Intolerance Wearing Robes of Leadership

Are we viewing the creation of a dictatorship? During a WCNY radio interview with Susan Arbetter on “The Capitol Pressroom,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo railed:

• “Who are they? Are they these extreme conservatives who are right-to-life, pro-assault-weapon, anti-gay? Is that who they are? Because if that’s who they are and if they are the extreme conservatives, they have no place in the state of New York, because that’s not who New Yorkers are.”

Cuomo also urged the “extreme” conservatives to “figure out if your extreme conservative philosophy can survive in this state, and the answer is no.”

What are “New Yorkers?” Evidently, Cuomo doesn’t recognize those of us who are opposed to abortion, same-sex marriage or weapon control as “New Yorkers.” I guess that only those who share his views are New Yorkers. And, naively, we had thought that he represented all the residents of our state!

Would he then recognize us as Americans? Of course, if we are not New Yorkers – and we are therefore stateless – then we can make no claim to be Americans either! Are we now illegal aliens, liable to deportation merely because we don’t share his political agenda?

I wonder if we could still retain our New York residency if we believe in gun control but not SSM and abortion? But then there is also the question of pedophilia, smoking in public places and adultery! Here’s what I am getting at – I wish that the governor would lay it out on-the-line. How many of his opinions must we sign-off on in order to retain our New York citizenship? And if we can’t pass the test, will Cuomo pay to have us resettled elsewhere?

I doubt he is prepared to do this – not with the New York economy the way it is. Perhaps if we officially become “illegal aliens,” we will be treated a lot better. However, it seems that our governor would deny us even this status – his words are far harsher towards us!

If we are not New Yorkers after living here for all of our lives, what are we? It seems that this is not the way this country had always been. My governor wants to deny me the freedom to express my views. He claims that we “have no place in the state of New York, because that’s not who New Yorkers are.” However, he had sworn to uphold the Constitution, and the Constitution upholds our rights to vote and to express ourselves, even if our opinions aren’t popular with the governor. Is he seeking dictatorial control?

Ironically, the views that he opposes do not advocate the violent overthrow of the government, the murder of the infirmed and elderly, or even the denial of any constitutionally guaranteed rights. Instead, he finds offensive beliefs that had previously been held by all Americans, even all American presidents. Even Barack Obama had affirmed traditional marriage, and yet Cuomo is not trying to deny him citizenship. Nor is he demanding that Bill and Hilary forfeit their New York citizenship because of their advocacy of DOMA!

Perhaps, instead, it is governor Cuomo who should be stripped of his citizenship for not upholding the very principles he had sworn to uphold. Rather, it is necessary for all of us to find ways to live together despite our differences. This is what it had once meant to be an American.