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A Sorry State of Affairs
Author: BobR
Date: 2014-01-22 12:08:01
For all the attention that we pay to National/Federal politics, the "scandals" and posturing are nothing compared to what goes on at the state level. We normally don't pay much attention to politics in other states, but boy, do things go off the rails there. The Sopranos-esque shakedowns and abuses of power taking center stage in New Jersey are certainly juicy, mainly because Governor Chris Christie was being considered the front-runner for the Republican presidential candidate in 2016. That seems to be lost at this point. Still - there are other stories that are just as amazing.
Here in Virginia, new governor Terry McCauliffe hasn't had a chance to unpack yet, and already former governor Bob McDonald is in deep doo-doo. Yesterday, both he and his wife were indicted for accepting cash, gifts, etc., apparently in exchange for preferential treatment:
When I lived in GA, the governor of that state also went to jail for selling favors. It seems to be a common theme among governors actually.
However, it's the state legislators that really go the extra distance. In PA, just in time for MLK Jr. Day, state House rep. Gordon Denlinger (R-Lancaster) wants to free minorities from the protections of anti-discrimination laws:
Another winner on MLK Jr. Day comes from the great state of FL where a Republican candidate for the state House wants to hang President Obama:
Then there's the anti-constitutionalists who want to legislate their religious beliefs. In KY, state House rep. Joe Fischer (R-Ft. Thomas) wants to expand domestic violence laws to include abortion:
Other members of the Christian Taliban are MO House reps. Rick Brattin and Andy Koenig who want to remove all teaching of evolution in schools:
But then - that's how Republicans keep replenishing their numbers as the old ones die off - they ensure that children are denied a good education, and taught false science from their religious texts. They know that an educated empowered child will question their dogma, and find the dogma wanting. I've said it before, and will continue to repeat it until everyone is sick of hearing it - the politics that really matter, that really affect our lives occur at the state and local level. Ignore the sound and fury coming form the Capitol dome - look locally, pay attention, get involved, and VOTE.
Here in Virginia, new governor Terry McCauliffe hasn't had a chance to unpack yet, and already former governor Bob McDonald is in deep doo-doo. Yesterday, both he and his wife were indicted for accepting cash, gifts, etc., apparently in exchange for preferential treatment:
Former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, were charged Tuesday with illegally accepting gifts, luxury vacations and large loans from a wealthy Richmond-area businessman who sought special treatment from state government.
Authorities alleged that for nearly two years, the McDonnells hit up executive Jonnie R. Williams Sr. again and again, lodging near constant requests for large loans, clothes, trips, golf accessories and private plane rides.
In exchange, authorities allege, the McDonnells worked in concert to lend the prestige of the governorship to Williams’ struggling company, a small former cigarette manufacturer that now sells dietary supplements.
When I lived in GA, the governor of that state also went to jail for selling favors. It seems to be a common theme among governors actually.
However, it's the state legislators that really go the extra distance. In PA, just in time for MLK Jr. Day, state House rep. Gordon Denlinger (R-Lancaster) wants to free minorities from the protections of anti-discrimination laws:
Republican Rep. Gordon Denlinger, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Fiscal Policy, an elder in the Zeltenreich Reformed Church of New Holland, Pa., is circulating a memo seeking co-sponsors for his effort.
"Specifically, I plan to propose a new section in Article I - the Pennsylvania 'bill of rights' - that will prohibit government from punishing an individual or entity if the individual or entity makes hiring or other employment decisions, or provides services, accommodations (including housing accommodations), advantages, facilities, goods or privileges based on sincerely held beliefs," the memo says.
Denlinger calls his proposal the "Freedom of Conscience Amendment."
In other words, those whose conscience suggests that they act contrary to nondiscriminatory statutes are free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, free at last to do so.
Another winner on MLK Jr. Day comes from the great state of FL where a Republican candidate for the state House wants to hang President Obama:
As Americans honored the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, a Republican candidate for Florida House District 68 said President Barack Obama should be hanged for war crimes.
"I'm past impeachment," Joshua Black wrote on Twitter. "It's time to arrest and hang him high."
[...]
Hours after the tweet, Black defended his comment. Obama should be held responsible for ordering a drone strike that killed a U.S. citizen overseas, he said.
"He should be executed for treason," Black said. "I think the appropriate punishment is death. They killed Benedict Arnold. (Obama) shouldn't be allowed to kill Americans without a trial."
Then there's the anti-constitutionalists who want to legislate their religious beliefs. In KY, state House rep. Joe Fischer (R-Ft. Thomas) wants to expand domestic violence laws to include abortion:
Rep. Joe Fischer of Ft. Thomas says he believes abortion is a form of domestic violence.
“The most brutal form of domestic violence is the violence against unborn children. And, this particular bill would prohibit abortions after the fetus feels pain, which is 20 weeks and older," Fischer says.
It’s a claim that most scientists find dubious...
Other members of the Christian Taliban are MO House reps. Rick Brattin and Andy Koenig who want to remove all teaching of evolution in schools:
Missouri Republicans have drafted a bill that would allow parents to pull their children from science classes that are teaching the theory of evolution. According to the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), Missouri’s House Bill 1472 would effectively “eviscerate” the teaching of biology in the state.
But then - that's how Republicans keep replenishing their numbers as the old ones die off - they ensure that children are denied a good education, and taught false science from their religious texts. They know that an educated empowered child will question their dogma, and find the dogma wanting. I've said it before, and will continue to repeat it until everyone is sick of hearing it - the politics that really matter, that really affect our lives occur at the state and local level. Ignore the sound and fury coming form the Capitol dome - look locally, pay attention, get involved, and VOTE.
