Republican Governor Greg Abbott of Texas, once again establishing himself as a national GOP star by safeguarding the U.S. Constitution, has added “religious services” to the list of essential services that can legally remain open in his state. This will prohibit power-hungry judges and petty tinhorns from interrupting Americans going about their constitutionally protected right to freedom of religion

The correction to the initial oversight reads in detail, as follows: “To achieve the goals established by the president to reduce the spread of COVD-19, every person in Texas shall, except where necessary to provide or obtain essential services, minimize social gatherings and minimize in-person contact with people who are not in the same household… Essential services shall consist of everything listed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in its Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce, Version 2.0, plus religious services conducted in churches, congregations, and houses of worship. Other essential services may be added to this list with the approval of the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM).”

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It goes on, “In providing or obtaining essential services, people and businesses should follow the Guidelines from the president and the CDC by practicing good hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and sanitation, implementing social distancing, and working from home if possible… In particular, all services should be provided through remote telework from home unless they are essential services that cannot be provided through remote telework.”

The new rule concludes, “If religious services cannot be conducted from home or through remote services, they should be conducted consistent with the Guidelines from the president and the CDC by practicing good hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and sanitation, and by implementing social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Several Democrat governors have come under fire for trying to restrict the freedom of faith of their constituents. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear come to mind as the worst offenders.

But as many Democrats see religion as an opiate of the masses, a fairy tale designed to explain natural phenomenon to people not as supposedly well-educated as themselves, they think nothing of trampling on rights enumerated in a document they also do not believe in.

As Abbott and GOP Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota have gone the opposite route of respecting the Constitution and doing minimal damage to businesses and individual rights in their respective states, they vault to the top of the list of 2024 GOP contenders for the presidency. That is, if they plan to make a run.

Abbott would bring a highly successful and popular tenure in office to his Oval Office resume. His sharp yet down to earth demeanor could not hurt. Nor could his personal story of overcoming the personal limitations of a crippling injury and rising high in the U.S. political firmament.

Noem is also wildly popular in her state, so much so that voters and residents recently threw a parade in her honor outside her home. This was to thank her for not going over the top in virus regulations. Her girl-next-door looks and excellent track record as governor would also give her a decided advantage.

So by respecting religious rights Abbott and Noem gain, while Kelly and Beshear will pay a price in their red states. Apparently, there may be some justice in the American political system after all.