Why not strike?

[gklagan]

Both houses of the legislature only need a majority of members to go about their business and I don't see what, if any, power the minority has here. Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't the people of NC be better served by the minority party simply walking out and holding their own protest session to demonstrate what NC could get by voting in a democratic majority in November?

Senate rules: http://www.ncleg.net/senate/Documents/2013SenateRules.pdf

House rules: http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2013/Bills/House/PDF/H54v3.pdf

[FBaggins]

1. Oh... a few reasons

1 - Don't assume that it can't get any worse. Even a powerless minority can at least slow things down.

2 - It's their job. Holding a protest session isn't going to give them credit for showing up... and gives the opposition easy campaign adds against us. The protest sessions would have no budget, ability to get witnesses for hearings, or formal record.

3 - They have the power to send the authorities to round you up.

[gklagan]

2. Slowing the abuse

is hardly selling me the alternative agenda, or doing much to actually stop the abuse so far as I can see. Removing the majority power of Art Pope's caucus looks like the only option for actually putting an end to this madness. And at this point showing up is hardly getting Dems credit for showing up since the press is all about what insanity the Pope-block just introduced or passed rather than the tactics the opposition is using to run interference. Shove me to the ground or lean on me until I fall, either way I hit the ground but one way I'm more likely to come back fighting. And as for #3, I may have mis-read the rules but unless the house or senate lack a quorum there's no authority to send law enforcement after legislators.