As we noted Monday, Democrat New York Governor Andrew Cuomo had some strong words of unwelcome for conservatives in his state: “[T]hese extreme conservatives who are right-to-life, pro-assault-weapon, anti-gay … they have no place in the state of New York, because that’s not who New Yorkers are.” Of course, Cuomo self-identifies as “Catholic” but promotes abortion and same-sex “marriage” – both of which are contrary to biblical and church teaching. Not only that, but as we heard it, he thinks Catholic teaching about the sanctity of life and human dignity is “extreme.”

As for conservatives being “pro-assault weapon,” Cuomo should remember that he took an oath to “support and defend” the Constitution, which guarantees the right to keep and bear arms. Evidently, he needs a refresher on what’s in it.

Cuomo soon sent an open letter to the New York Post claiming that his words were “distorted.” The governor swears he meant candidates with “extreme” views, not citizens who hold those same “extreme” views. “[I]t is clear,” the letter said, “that the Governor was making the observation that an extreme right candidate cannot win statewide because this is a politically moderate state (either moderate Republican or moderate Democratic).” We’ll grant that conservatives have a tough time winning in New York.

However, the deeper issue here is again one of hypocrisy and intolerance. Cuomo and his fellow Democrat cadres do an awful lot of talking about tolerance, fairness and equality, but their acceptance only goes skin deep. Examples abound of Democrats calling conservatives racist, bigoted, anti-woman, anti-gay, anti-science or just plain evil – all for maintaining traditional American values. To Democrats, conservative ideas are not to be debated, but rather they are to be marginalized and silenced.

James Madison warned that majorities could become tyrannical: “In all cases where a majority are united by a common interest or passion, the rights of the minority are in danger.” New Yorkers would do well to heed Madison’s warning.