The Star wrote that we didn’t expect the Republican-controlled city-council to put the part before the taxpayer, but we did. It is why I am a member of the Libertarian Party now, and not the Republican Party.

At least Cockrum isn’t hiding the fact that they did this out of retribution, and there was no real merit for removing Coleman:

From the Indy Star’s Behind Closed Doors:

Liberated from influence

City-County Council member Ed Coleman found last week that it’s lonely being a party of one.

After he switched from the Republican Party to the Libertarians last month, the GOP leadership stripped him of his council committee positions Monday. Coleman had said he thought the Republicans were playing the same power games to suppress dissenting views that they used to criticize Democrats when that party controlled the council.

Barbara Malone replaced Coleman on the Rules and Public Policy Committee, and Ryan Vaughntook his place on the Economic Development Committee.

Coleman and the Libertarians were outraged.

“The committee rules aren’t set up in a way to recognize three parties,” said Tim Maguire, the county Libertarian chairman. “But we’re here to stay, and they better get used to it.”

Coleman said the changes were proof of the partisan politics that led him to leave the party in the first place.

Others seemed amused that he didn’t expect retribution.

Bob Cockrum, the council president, said he knew Coleman was unhappy. But Cockrum said he needed to ensure GOP control of those committees. With Coleman’s vote in the air, he could swing the majority and effectively control the committee.

“When you stray, you have to take the results,” Cockrum told the Republican caucus. “It’s a no-win situation. People who helped him campaign feel betrayed, too.”

Other Republicans asked Cockrum whether Coleman would vote with the Democrats.

“I called (Minority Leader) Joanne (Sanders),” Cockrum said. “She said, ‘He’s not my minority.’ “