Every single time I read about a state government's GOP-backed effort to minimize the rights of their citizens I thank God I live in California, and arguably the most liberal city in the country, at that. How intrusive is intrusive enough GOP?
19
Transgender people have been using public bathrooms labeled for the gender they identify with for decades.
In all of that time I do not recall any reports of "mannish-looking people wearing dresses" who tried to abuse others individuals in the women's bathroom. So why should this suddenly start to become a public safety problem?
How many truly "bad guy" heterosexuals would be willing to risk ridicule by running around in a dress? Men who intend to attack innocent people in a public bathroom can just easily slip in through the door while wearing traditional male clothes.
And has there ever been a case of a transgender woman dressed as a man who has attacked other men in a public restroom?
In all of that time I do not recall any reports of "mannish-looking people wearing dresses" who tried to abuse others individuals in the women's bathroom. So why should this suddenly start to become a public safety problem?
How many truly "bad guy" heterosexuals would be willing to risk ridicule by running around in a dress? Men who intend to attack innocent people in a public bathroom can just easily slip in through the door while wearing traditional male clothes.
And has there ever been a case of a transgender woman dressed as a man who has attacked other men in a public restroom?
14
The next-to-last paragraph explains what's going on more honestly than the rest of the article: "... the Tea Party movement that swept many conservatives into state government in 2010. With subsequent Republican-guided legislative redistricting ..."
The Tea Party grew out of pure race-based animosity to the election of President Obama, and the 2010 elections, funded by the Kochs and other behind-the-scenes manipulators, put Republicans in power in the U.S. House and in some 30 state legislatures. Immediately those legislatures redistricted their states in such a way as to guarantee their own re-election, passed voter-suppression laws written by ALEC, and made sure they could "get stuff done" at the state level that would both undermine and undercut federal law and keep advocates for justice overstretched by having to bring endless suits in every state. Viz all the laws against Obamacare implementation, restricting abortion, etc., and the numerous lawsuits that, for the most part, have succeeded at the District level and even at SCOTUS, but only after years of suffering under these new laws.
These are the actions of a party that knows full well it has no national support for its actual policy positions but can, by using fear, motivate its voters to support its ongoing battle against whatever scapegoat best allows it to deflect awareness of its actual platform -- and achievements.
The Tea Party grew out of pure race-based animosity to the election of President Obama, and the 2010 elections, funded by the Kochs and other behind-the-scenes manipulators, put Republicans in power in the U.S. House and in some 30 state legislatures. Immediately those legislatures redistricted their states in such a way as to guarantee their own re-election, passed voter-suppression laws written by ALEC, and made sure they could "get stuff done" at the state level that would both undermine and undercut federal law and keep advocates for justice overstretched by having to bring endless suits in every state. Viz all the laws against Obamacare implementation, restricting abortion, etc., and the numerous lawsuits that, for the most part, have succeeded at the District level and even at SCOTUS, but only after years of suffering under these new laws.
These are the actions of a party that knows full well it has no national support for its actual policy positions but can, by using fear, motivate its voters to support its ongoing battle against whatever scapegoat best allows it to deflect awareness of its actual platform -- and achievements.
18
Who cares if the Federal Government was overthrown by the America Inc. Oligarchy? This dead nation will now break into State-by-State pieces. The Supreme Court is dishonorable and unjust. Democracy failed after 2 centuries and 2 decades with CU in 2010.
I would support either demoncrats or repugnicans in a State if it chose to secede. I will push for Arkansas to be the first state to leave the former democracy of cooperating States. No shots would need to be fired to wholly reject the SCOTUS oligarchy of nine who threw out AR Act 301. Just ignore these political geezers and throw out all 4/5 splits.
I would support either demoncrats or repugnicans in a State if it chose to secede. I will push for Arkansas to be the first state to leave the former democracy of cooperating States. No shots would need to be fired to wholly reject the SCOTUS oligarchy of nine who threw out AR Act 301. Just ignore these political geezers and throw out all 4/5 splits.
For the record, and based on the writings and philosophies of our Founding Fathers, the United States of America IS NOT A DEMOCRACY. It's a federal republic, so you can't say that democracy failed. If the citizens of the US haven't been able to support and sustain a republic, we're probably all very fortunate that we didn't have a democracy. Otherwise, we'd be dealing with the aftermath of "leaders" such as Donald Trump. George W. Bush was bad enough. The American people have devolved into rabble, not deserving of a democracy, and the rest of us are having to deal with the aftermath.
9
As a (Trans)woman I am appalled at the actions of conservative dominated cities and states like Houston and North Carolina. The Republican party knows that the only reason they have votes is because they support Christian maniacs who want to institute Christian Sharia on others. This country was built on freedom of religion and separation of church and state. The people behind these laws believe in imposing an obsolete and false religion that should have died out 1000 years ago on everyone in this country. These people are trying to destroy our nation from within, and they are the enemies of freedom, tolerance, and diversity.
14
"Protesters opposed to a new state law prohibiting local anti-discrimination protections..." That's a lot of negatives. Wouldn't it have been easier to just say people who support local anti-discrimination protections? It's getting really confusing reading the coverage of this issue.
5
I thought the P in GOP stood for profit and not principle. You would had thought the GOP was pragmatic enough to place pragmatism and profit above principle. As a private business owner you shouldn't be concerned about someone's private life in and out of the bedroom. If you are against same sex marriage don't attend a ceremony or officiate one. But refusing to sell to someone under the guise of 'religious freedom' is code for discrimination. Are we enacting a new Jim Crow for the 21st century where will have signs of Straight only or no gays allowed. If you are gay will you have to sit back in the bus or enter through a separate entrance. Very few people who are gay are openly gay. Some gays hide in the closet through sham [straight] marriages in order not to subject themselves to the ridicule, hatred, and open hostility. For if we allow this to stand where does it end. Will we roll the clock back to the Old Testament days where gays were murdered for being merely different. When we allow one group to be discriminated we allow all other groups to be discriminated against i.e. women, blacks, Latinos, and etc. Finally, if you do believe being homosexual is a sin then it only can be addressed between them and GOD and not you; for He is the final Judge of us all.
15
I would urge all business owners in NC to relabel their bathrooms so that they have 2 unisex bathrooms, one which has a sign noting "This bathroom contains a dispenser for menstrual care products" and the other having a sign noting "This bathroom provides urinals".
Now all we have to do is find easy work arounds for the other 3 horrifically evil parts of this law.
Now all we have to do is find easy work arounds for the other 3 horrifically evil parts of this law.
8
A number of businesses and restaurants have put up signs identifying their restrooms as gender neutral. There are many North Carolinians horrified by this law, and we are working to have it overturned
6
The people who show up to vote in state-level and national midterm elections are much more conservative than the population at large.
I hope the success in Bernie Sanders' candidacy can be morphed (by Mr. Sanders) into a commitment to participate in local elections and midterms by his voters, who are younger. Otherwise, the ultra-conservative superPACS will win on the ground and change the nation, from the ground up, into something that most of us will not be proud of.
I hope the success in Bernie Sanders' candidacy can be morphed (by Mr. Sanders) into a commitment to participate in local elections and midterms by his voters, who are younger. Otherwise, the ultra-conservative superPACS will win on the ground and change the nation, from the ground up, into something that most of us will not be proud of.
8
Here's a thought: Many of the southern states developed over the past few decades at the expense of northern states because they offered cheaper labor and pro-business give-aways. Now they are adopting anti-business social legislation that is calculated to make them an economic and cultural backwater again. If the northerners can get the lead out of their pipes and shore up their bridges, the jobs might flow north again, especially in sectors where it does not make sense to move overseas. Hang in there, Rust Belt!
15
On page 5 of today's NYT there is an ad sponsored by the humane society of the United States and sea world advocating for fish and marine mammal protection. The ad reads "the humane society and sea world will actively partner in efforts against the commercial killing of whales, seals and marine mammals."
Who is advocating for the innocent lives in the womb? Are we placing the value of marine life above human life? This is immoral and very upsetting. We must continue speaking out against the destruction of abortion. We must speak out as loudly as the humane society. Babies lives are at stake and they are far more valuable and important.
Who is advocating for the innocent lives in the womb? Are we placing the value of marine life above human life? This is immoral and very upsetting. We must continue speaking out against the destruction of abortion. We must speak out as loudly as the humane society. Babies lives are at stake and they are far more valuable and important.
1
KMW, since you are so adamantly against a woman's right to choose abortion, can I assume that you are also adamantly in FAVOR of free (or very inexpensive) birth control for everyone? Because the cheapest, most efficient, and easiest way to reduce or eradicate abortion is to avoid unwanted pregnancies. So the next logical step would be to expand Planned Parenthood and other clinics where birth control is offered. Somehow I doubt that this is the conclusion you come to.
7
You're joking, right? You're honestly wondering who is "advocating for the innocent lives in the womb?" Well, right off the bat I can think of one: you! And you're hardly starved for company - witness the fervent anti-abortion activists who have succeeded in not only eliminating abortion access across enormous swaths of the country, but who have also - whoops - eliminated many women's access to decent healthcare that she can afford, since shutting down a clinic that provides abortions means also shutting down a clinic the provided contraceptives, STI testing, mammograms, Pap smears, and so on. But hey, here in states like Florida, with new restrictions, we've all been reassured that there are plenty of "community health clinics" at which care can be obtained. Except for that tiny detail about a bunch of the CHCs listed by the state gov't being dentist offices...medi-spas....optometrists....huh, suddenly that list got cut in half, and the actual clinics are overbooked and understaffed, and the state cut their funding.
Fear not....people are capable of caring about multiple issues. Just because SeaWorld is partnering with the AHS doesn't mean that society as a whole is placing marine life above human life...I don't even see how that connection is made. Caring about one doesn't preclude caring about the other. And the humane society may have a loud voice, but I'm pretty certain the Catholic Church,'for example, has an even louder one.
Fear not....people are capable of caring about multiple issues. Just because SeaWorld is partnering with the AHS doesn't mean that society as a whole is placing marine life above human life...I don't even see how that connection is made. Caring about one doesn't preclude caring about the other. And the humane society may have a loud voice, but I'm pretty certain the Catholic Church,'for example, has an even louder one.
7
"Who is advocating for the innocent lives in the womb?"
There are plenty of people out there advocating for "lives" in the womb, and they're passing laws every month to restrict abortions and/or access to abortion providers.
However, despite the numerous anti-abortion lives being passed, you pro-birth advocates insist that nobody's on your side, that you're a beleaguered minority. You shout that you're persecuted, just as the 83% of Americans who self-identify as Christians say they are.
There are plenty of people out there advocating for "lives" in the womb, and they're passing laws every month to restrict abortions and/or access to abortion providers.
However, despite the numerous anti-abortion lives being passed, you pro-birth advocates insist that nobody's on your side, that you're a beleaguered minority. You shout that you're persecuted, just as the 83% of Americans who self-identify as Christians say they are.
7
What I don't understand about the Republicker Second Amendment arguments is why they think that it's ok to run around with six shooters, but not other weapons. After all, the Second Amendment addresses militias; therefore any military weapon should be allowed (if we accept their line of thought (I use that term advisedly). So do they agree that I have a right to build / keep a nuclear bonb in my basement? After all, that is a militia's weapon! How about a stockpile of ricein?
Now if they have the good sense to object to my keeping these military weapons, then what right to they have to such non-military weapons as handguns? Can someone explain their "logic"?
Now if they have the good sense to object to my keeping these military weapons, then what right to they have to such non-military weapons as handguns? Can someone explain their "logic"?
5
I have been on several forums where some members have stated that their interpretation of the Second Amendment is that private individuals have the right to own any weapon possessed by the military. Some of them are also NRA members.
What seems ridiculous to you and me apparently sounds perfectly fine to some people.
What seems ridiculous to you and me apparently sounds perfectly fine to some people.
7
Republican Party: def.; a collection of meanies, women haters, sickos, wackos, left behind, lost, unemployed, unemployable racists; 98 percent white, 73 percent overweight, 65 percent over age 50, 85 percent ill educated/uneducated, terrified of ghosts, goblins, black people, Hispanic people, Muslims, Jews too (always the Jews you know); Note party began to disintegrate in year 2016 disappeared from history by about 2026.
14
Republican state legislatures keep pushing their social issues "sugar" (guns, anti-abortion, anti gay) because they have nothing else to offer. Most Americans have come to accept gay and transgender rights, and have moved on. These conservative lawmakers are out of touch, and just about out of time.
22
As a general rule, waging culture wars are profitable during mid term elections, but nearly fatal during presidential elections.
4
Much of this on the Republican side can be blamed on Democrats. Be honest about it. In my state of New Mexico, the fewest Democrats voted in 60 years, and we have the first Republican lead House in 60 years. A direct correlation. And they advanced the same racist, homphobic and anit-woman bills this year that these other states did, saved only by the Democratically controlled Senate. You better start voting Democrats or instead of 1/2 the states being run by racists and homophobes who want to supplant the constitution with the bible, it will be nearly all states.
17
Agree completely that the Dems. need to convince those inclined to support them to actually register and then vote regularly. Current excuses about bad conditions in their lives, no time to get involved, don't know all the rules about registering and voting, etc. are both lame and damaging to their well being.
11
And of they don't vote now, republican legislatures will outlaw them from voting with their "conservative voters' protection acts".
12
"In North Carolina, the blowback is already merging with a broader Democratic Party argument that the state’s Republican leadership is out of touch with the mainstream."
I doubt that statement's veracity. This is a state that voted against allowing same sex marriage. Once you get out of the cities and the university towns you meet the real North Carolinians.
I doubt that statement's veracity. This is a state that voted against allowing same sex marriage. Once you get out of the cities and the university towns you meet the real North Carolinians.
2
what makes the anti-human rights advocates more 'real' than pro-human rights advocates?
3
@ MYHUGUENOT: Not so. Native North Carolinian here. The political composition of the state began to change some forty years ago. North Carolinians, as did residents in many other states, began to move away in search of employment, for instance, or for a host of other reasons. The flood of out-of-staters came in response to the climate, business opportunities in the tri-state region, retirement communities, etc. I live in western NC and don't know a soul in my community who grew up in the south. If there are any "real" North Carolinians left around here, I don't know them. The state was flipped by McCrory and his crowd of thugs in 2010 and there are few, if any Democrats left here to vote. We Democrats don't talk politics with our neighbors; the area I live in has been conceded to the Republicans and my Dem vote hasn't counted for five years.
Out-of-town Republican extremists running amok on Koch money have ruined this state, and from what I can see, aren't through yet. Damn them all.
Out-of-town Republican extremists running amok on Koch money have ruined this state, and from what I can see, aren't through yet. Damn them all.
11
"For social conservatives, the legislative wins are a bright spot in an otherwise troubling health report for the Republican Party."
What is so bloody "bright" about legislation preordained to be overturned in the courts?
What is so bloody "bright" about legislation preordained to be overturned in the courts?
8
Never have bought into the conservatives contention that by eliminating options, legislating restrictions and disenfranchising citizens "freedom" is being restored...
8
The problem is that many of the laws passed about social issues in state legislature are so far to the right that courts will stop.
4
Ah, those dear old Republicans. They don't believe in "government, " yet they are up to their necks in it. They quote the constitution, until it comes to what they don't like. The party of hate lives on.
15
It boggles my mind that regardless of the assaults on their reproductive rights, lack of equal pay & cuts in social services, that women continue to support Republican candidates. The small in number LGBT community has nation-wide, vocal support of the corporate masters to oppose legislation while the great in number female population gets no support on our issues. Why are women so reviled?
6
Could be because, if they're supporting Republican candidates, those particular women are too stupid to understand that they're being stomped on, marginalized and hung out to dry.
They must be masochists. Only explanation. I wonder how many of them read Ivana Trump's account of the Donald's ripping out her hair and committing an angry rape of her while he was having a temper tantrum. And they still support him? Sickening.
They must be masochists. Only explanation. I wonder how many of them read Ivana Trump's account of the Donald's ripping out her hair and committing an angry rape of her while he was having a temper tantrum. And they still support him? Sickening.
5
If guns can even be carried into airports (Georgia) and into the parking lots of banks (17+ States, last count) --you have to wonder why more corporations don't leave these states entirely and direct their employees not to fly through, or travel, to these states? Somebody needs to wake up to the fact, that at minimum, their liability insurance rates are going to skyrocket when they have to cover employees who are put in (h)arms way with this reckless legislation. Yup
45
It seems like there is a very fundamental split happening in politics now: social norms versus objective rules. Many people, including most of the target audience for this newspaper, are on the social norms side.
In this view, the point of existence is to keep up with trends. If the trend is to be maximally gay-positive, then you'd better keep up! If the trend is to be angry about police brutality, then get on it. Time to be angry! Until the crowd shifts its focus.
There's not really any objective purpose or limit to this process. There's not a single standard you can prove you've met. You have to keep on proving your trendiness every new moment. It's like fashion. There is no truth, just whatever is "now".
On the other side are people who are looking for objectively defined, and therefore relatively stable, definitions of what is right and wrong, permissible and impermissible. In this system, there is always the risk of being wrong, but there is at least the possibility of being right for more than just a moment at a time.
People belonging to the social norms side often claim to be supporting an objective standard, but generally on closer examination what they are talking about is neither objective nor standardized. It is a crowd-sourced impression.
In this view, the point of existence is to keep up with trends. If the trend is to be maximally gay-positive, then you'd better keep up! If the trend is to be angry about police brutality, then get on it. Time to be angry! Until the crowd shifts its focus.
There's not really any objective purpose or limit to this process. There's not a single standard you can prove you've met. You have to keep on proving your trendiness every new moment. It's like fashion. There is no truth, just whatever is "now".
On the other side are people who are looking for objectively defined, and therefore relatively stable, definitions of what is right and wrong, permissible and impermissible. In this system, there is always the risk of being wrong, but there is at least the possibility of being right for more than just a moment at a time.
People belonging to the social norms side often claim to be supporting an objective standard, but generally on closer examination what they are talking about is neither objective nor standardized. It is a crowd-sourced impression.
6
So, James in Hartford, most of the NYT readers are rather mindless, 'follow the crowd' folks with little in the way of "objective" principles? Interesting.
Yet, many of us have definite opinions, which are objective, about right and wrong about abortion (pro-choice), guns (for many reasonable control, but not against hunters having guns or gun collecting or reasonable and well trained possession for self-protection), women's rights (equality with men in pay, opportunity, healthcare etc). I could go on and on. You may not agree with my positions and yes, I may raise my concern about something newly brought to my attention, but that is far from my not having any real principles or values.
Yet, many of us have definite opinions, which are objective, about right and wrong about abortion (pro-choice), guns (for many reasonable control, but not against hunters having guns or gun collecting or reasonable and well trained possession for self-protection), women's rights (equality with men in pay, opportunity, healthcare etc). I could go on and on. You may not agree with my positions and yes, I may raise my concern about something newly brought to my attention, but that is far from my not having any real principles or values.
28
Funny, I had always considered myself to be following "objectively defined, and therefore relatively stable, definitions of what is right and wrong, permissible and impermissible," such as fairness for all and lack of discrimination in marriage, housing, employment, etc., and the Biblical prohibitions against killing and so on.
But now I have been enlightened -- my many years of moral upbringing and attention to religious principles didn't happen after all, I have just been influenced by ephemeral social fads. Glad you have made this clear.
But now I have been enlightened -- my many years of moral upbringing and attention to religious principles didn't happen after all, I have just been influenced by ephemeral social fads. Glad you have made this clear.
7
There are no such things as "objective rules." Notions of right and wrong change over time. Which side of the aisle do you think people who supported slavery or Jim Crow laws stand on?
8
If you are pro-life, how do you justify NOT punishing the pregnant woman who terminates her pregnancy?
If you are pro-life every blastula is a person. Terminating a pregnancy is the murder of a person.
If a woman contracts someone to kill her husband, both the woman and the killer are charged with a crime.
But in Trump/Crus/Kasich world,
although the woman is the "contracting" a hit on the person of the foetus,
although she is the one who provides the opportunity to "kill" a "baby"
Pro Life candidates like Il Duce Trumpillini, Tail-Gunner Rafael (natural born Canadian) and K-sick all agree:
It's not the responsibility of the pregnant woman. She is wholly blameless and should not bear any responsibility for the abortion, "killing a baby".
And we should trust them appointing judges?
If you are pro-life every blastula is a person. Terminating a pregnancy is the murder of a person.
If a woman contracts someone to kill her husband, both the woman and the killer are charged with a crime.
But in Trump/Crus/Kasich world,
although the woman is the "contracting" a hit on the person of the foetus,
although she is the one who provides the opportunity to "kill" a "baby"
Pro Life candidates like Il Duce Trumpillini, Tail-Gunner Rafael (natural born Canadian) and K-sick all agree:
It's not the responsibility of the pregnant woman. She is wholly blameless and should not bear any responsibility for the abortion, "killing a baby".
And we should trust them appointing judges?
7
They only say that because they don't want to totally alienate the few remaining republican women they have. Either that, or they think women are incompetent, so not able to be found guilty. Either is insulting and I am amazed any self respecting woman would support any of them.
13
People who are opposed to abortion are not 'pro-life', they are only pro-fetal life, and in opposition to women being considered fully human and therefor able to make decisions concerning their own bodies.
11
Try being a liberal, gun-owning, atheist Democrat living in Texas, and married into a conservative, tightly-knit, Republican, German Catholic family. Your best friend is the husband of one of your wife's older sisters: he is all of the above, and fed up to his earlobes with religion.
You learn, in private and unguarded moments, a lot of things. Like the knit isn't as tight as everyone wants you to believe. Abortion? There may be some wiggle room, depending on the circumstances. Contraception? It's universal, OK? They don't know anyone who doesn't avail themselves of it. Get over it. And don't talk about it.
So the hypocrisy remains. Religious taboos, once quietly ignored in private, are now publicly flaunted. My sister-in-law's slow-to-arrive shock that her son is "Living in sin!! Make him stop!" My brother-in-law's take on the living arrangements of his son: He's 30 years old, a grown man. (Lucky dog!)
My lovely wife still believes, at some level, in God, but not in the rigid dogma of her upbringing. She is not alone, even in her own family.
The South is changing, slowly. I think there may be hope for Texas. Oh, not today, not this year, but soon, and someday forever. At least for as long a "forever" lasts.
You learn, in private and unguarded moments, a lot of things. Like the knit isn't as tight as everyone wants you to believe. Abortion? There may be some wiggle room, depending on the circumstances. Contraception? It's universal, OK? They don't know anyone who doesn't avail themselves of it. Get over it. And don't talk about it.
So the hypocrisy remains. Religious taboos, once quietly ignored in private, are now publicly flaunted. My sister-in-law's slow-to-arrive shock that her son is "Living in sin!! Make him stop!" My brother-in-law's take on the living arrangements of his son: He's 30 years old, a grown man. (Lucky dog!)
My lovely wife still believes, at some level, in God, but not in the rigid dogma of her upbringing. She is not alone, even in her own family.
The South is changing, slowly. I think there may be hope for Texas. Oh, not today, not this year, but soon, and someday forever. At least for as long a "forever" lasts.
28
I hope you're right, no pun intended, but next door, New Mexico seems to be moving farther to the right. This election IS the election of this century. Better get out and vote Democrats, or it could make 1930 Germany look good.
8
It's immigrants that are tipping Texas, and a lot of them have been Anglos coming in from other states -- more jobs.
But then oil went to $35/bbl and the drilling industry went to heck. The Texas unemployment rate is still slightly better than the national average, but it's not the "hot" spot anymore.
When Texas becomes a "purple" state the Republican party as we know it will be truly dead ... if Trump doesn't kill it this year. Imagine a Republican trying to win the presidency without the electoral college votes from Texas.
But for right now you've given America GWB, Perry, Cruz, Abbot, Louie Gohmert, Joe Barton, Lamar Smith ... and then who could forget the incomparable Steve Stockman, drugs in his underpants and all?
Can anybody explain why Texas likes it's politicians so dumb and crazy?
But then oil went to $35/bbl and the drilling industry went to heck. The Texas unemployment rate is still slightly better than the national average, but it's not the "hot" spot anymore.
When Texas becomes a "purple" state the Republican party as we know it will be truly dead ... if Trump doesn't kill it this year. Imagine a Republican trying to win the presidency without the electoral college votes from Texas.
But for right now you've given America GWB, Perry, Cruz, Abbot, Louie Gohmert, Joe Barton, Lamar Smith ... and then who could forget the incomparable Steve Stockman, drugs in his underpants and all?
Can anybody explain why Texas likes it's politicians so dumb and crazy?
6
Tony Perkins is wrong. The conservative legislatures, having gerrymandered ruthlessly to avoid having to listen or represent any voices other than the most conservative, neither try nor care to reflect their constituencies.
The "campus carry" law in Georgia is adamantly opposed by every college or university president, by the state Board of Regents, by local and campus law enforcement, by student governments throughout the state and overwhelmingly by parents of college students and by almost 80% of voters.
There is not a scintilla of evidence that this is a good idea. There is no issue or event that indicated in any way that this is needed. Georgia already is in the forefront of states by per capita gun deaths.
The legislators couldn't care less.
The NRA will give them money if they sponsor and vote for this bill. That is all that matters.
The "campus carry" law in Georgia is adamantly opposed by every college or university president, by the state Board of Regents, by local and campus law enforcement, by student governments throughout the state and overwhelmingly by parents of college students and by almost 80% of voters.
There is not a scintilla of evidence that this is a good idea. There is no issue or event that indicated in any way that this is needed. Georgia already is in the forefront of states by per capita gun deaths.
The legislators couldn't care less.
The NRA will give them money if they sponsor and vote for this bill. That is all that matters.
53
This article failed to mention an important point. The NC law also forbids cities from raising the minimum wage. Not a small point as it makes living in cities harder and further transfers tax revenue and hence political power to suburbs and rural area, away from urban areas, and serves to work with redistricting and gerrymandering to undo decades of progress in human rights and environmental protections. See the bans on bans of plastic bags. All part of the ALEC long-game which is unfolding to bring about a new so called culture war, though in this cases its really just about using "values voters" to lock in control of profits for management & rentiers that is, the GOP donor class.
47
We'll be heading home to Maine without paying a dime to the state of North Carolina as we pass through-- no gas, no fast food, no nothing. As a woman I feel under attack from a GOP that can only see the views of white prejudiced men who are threatened by women, homosexuals, immigrants and anyone who needs a dime of their petty cash. As Republican states work their demented will, I foresee THE HANDMAIDEN'S TALE becoming a reality for my granddaughter. I will fight with every breath in my body to see the GOP reduced to a single celled amoeba that is genetically unable to reproduce.
63
Fair enough. I've never been to Maine and have no desire to ever go to Maine. I guess that makes us even.
2
NC gets more tourist dollars from the northeast than the northeast gets from NC, so if more people take the attitude that tory did, it will not make it even. Tourism is a big industry in NC, but tourism involves voluntary participation and will be hit hard if people decide to go to another beach or section of a mountain range. It's not like NC has a Grand Canyon, Broadway, US Capitol and mall, or Disney World. You want to see those, you can't substitute.
2
Hate to mention it to you because you probably didn't vote for him, but LePage doesn't do Maine's reputation much good.
1
I'm not worried about these people. They are on the wrong side of history and we will live to see their outmoded views repudiated. The problem is that there are very pressing concerns right now that are not being addressed. From the Times today, coastal cities may have less than one hundred years left. I'm extremely worried that, by the time we figure out that we need to leave women alone and keep people from carrying unlicensed concealed guns, it will be too late for the planet.
17
You should be worried about these people.
12
As Will.I.Am says, you should indeed worry about these people, now. Who do you think is standing in the way of trying to do something about climate change?!
6
Different parts of the country think differently. And that is true on the democratic side as well. Sanders has his strong areas of the country and Hilary has hers. She also has the DNC super delegates and that is all that matters.
3
It is utterly absurd to mix the separate issues of abortion-rights, gun-rights, and gay-rights in the same bag. Perhaps there is some predictive value in knowing what one's view is on one of the three issues is in predicting what one's view is on the other issues. But this explains nothing except that homo sapiens are generally a herd species, following "their crowd" to determine what their view should be about a particular issue. To put it crudely, it's "cool" to be pro-choice, pro-gun control, and pro-gay rights in San Francisco, California while its "cool" to be the reverse in Montgomery Alabama. As it happens, I'm pro-choice, think discrimination against gays should be treated the same as discrimination based on gender or race, and don't believe people should be punished for owning guns (including "assault weapons".
3
You neglected to mention the NY Times darling Republican of the week, John Kasich. We hear the nonsense that he is reasonable compared to Trump and Cruz. Baloney says this Ohioan. He is owned by his far right legislature and their special interest social agenda. I'm a lot more scared of someone who knows how to use the levers of power and can do it with an out of touch social agenda than I am about a blowhard who has not shown any inclination in his life to care about social issues, much less religious zealots.
29
More nutso action from the left and the right.
Let's go down the list.
Corporations and state governors are threatening to boycott states that pass laws they don't like? And who does that hurt? It hurts ALL the people in the boycotted state! Those in favor of the law and those against! That's the mind-set of someone who says let's shoot all the citizens of Dodge, even if only half of them voted for the Sheriff.
And for those who don't like homosexual behavior, if you work for a government agency, you can't discriminate against them in any official capacity. If the law says they can marry, you issue a license; if they're covered by Medicare or Obama Care, you treat them like any other entitled applicant.
BUT - as a private citizen the government should not have the authority to force you to sell or rent your home to ANYONE, for any reason.if you don't want to bake a wedding cake for gays, or sing at a gay weddin. it's unconscionable to force those kind of behavior on anyone, no matter how stupid or homophobic or racist or antiSemetic anyone else finds it. Racial and sexual discrimination laws that force those kinds of actions need to be repealed - they do more harm then good.
Let's go down the list.
Corporations and state governors are threatening to boycott states that pass laws they don't like? And who does that hurt? It hurts ALL the people in the boycotted state! Those in favor of the law and those against! That's the mind-set of someone who says let's shoot all the citizens of Dodge, even if only half of them voted for the Sheriff.
And for those who don't like homosexual behavior, if you work for a government agency, you can't discriminate against them in any official capacity. If the law says they can marry, you issue a license; if they're covered by Medicare or Obama Care, you treat them like any other entitled applicant.
BUT - as a private citizen the government should not have the authority to force you to sell or rent your home to ANYONE, for any reason.if you don't want to bake a wedding cake for gays, or sing at a gay weddin. it's unconscionable to force those kind of behavior on anyone, no matter how stupid or homophobic or racist or antiSemetic anyone else finds it. Racial and sexual discrimination laws that force those kinds of actions need to be repealed - they do more harm then good.
4
And my comment to anyone who supports discriminatory laws on the grounds of being Christian:
Who did Jesus refuse to serve? I believe he rather famously served everyone, even over the objections of his disciples in certain cases.
Who did Jesus refuse to serve? I believe he rather famously served everyone, even over the objections of his disciples in certain cases.
4
Beyond the general stupidity of North Carolina's law, the notion that parents will like it is nonsense. In fact, North Carolina, you have now just guaranteed that I cannot come visit you for the near future since you have now made it illegal for me to take my 3 year old son into the bathroom with me. As an American who lives overseas, this nonsense just makes us look like idiots to our allies abroad. I get asked on a regular basis why America has let itself turn into a quasi-third world country. That is pretty sad that that is the perception people now have of us. This theocratic nonsense surely is a huge part of the reason. I thank God that I currently live in a country where people may practice their religions on their own time but which has no patience for people who try to push their religious beliefs on everyone else.
36
Actually, there is an amendment to HB2 that allows children under 7 to enter bathrooms with their opposite sex parent. Interestingly, this amendment was proposed by a Democrat, since the Republican crafters of the bill apparently overlooked this crucial exception. So, you're safe to stop at rest areas with your son, but I don't blame you for avoiding our state altogether.
3
Unfortunately, part of our problem is that the people who make and support these laws take perverse pride in not caring what others think. Especially those socialist European countries and those weaklings in Canada. No, we're Americans -- we're "exceptional."
I am reminded that, a few decades ago, a euphemism for intellectually disabled was "exceptional."
I am reminded that, a few decades ago, a euphemism for intellectually disabled was "exceptional."
2
My developmentally disabled son is capable of toileting himself but it takes 20 minutes leaves a huge mess and there is a risk he will be taken advantage of in various ways. So my wife (or I) accompany him in the bathroom. This is now illegal in NC. I'm glad I left 20 years ago, at least I have good memories.
3
Republicans have been winning on GAGG issues for decades. Alone with lying and cheating.
14
Imagine how much the Republican controlled state governments could accomplish if they devoted their energies to economic development, tax fairness and other constituent issues instead of constantly going after abortion, gays and voting rights.
Do they really feel that threatened? Is heterosexual marriage so fragile that they're afraid of divorce breaking out all over the place?
Do they really feel that threatened? Is heterosexual marriage so fragile that they're afraid of divorce breaking out all over the place?
34
But then they wouldn't be Republicans, would they?
15
What always surprises me is how effective, for example, is a group like the Koch Brothers' and Karl Rove’s NRA, with a relatively small budget, at intimidating spineless US politicians across the political spectrum at state and federal level.
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/04/nra-koch-brothers-karl-rove
With due respect, those here who oppose passionately the Koch Brothers' and Karl Rove’s NRA and the Koch Brothers' Tea Party would be better served putting their energy, time and money into getting their act together and fund-raising to get the GOP out, rather than huffing and puffing to no end at the Big Bad Wolves being so nasty to the little piggies.
https://www.salon.com/2015/10/27/charles_kochs_frankenstein_problem_he_c...
Take a leaf out Bernie's Book. Get organised. Fight back. Don't get mad – get even.
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/04/nra-koch-brothers-karl-rove
With due respect, those here who oppose passionately the Koch Brothers' and Karl Rove’s NRA and the Koch Brothers' Tea Party would be better served putting their energy, time and money into getting their act together and fund-raising to get the GOP out, rather than huffing and puffing to no end at the Big Bad Wolves being so nasty to the little piggies.
https://www.salon.com/2015/10/27/charles_kochs_frankenstein_problem_he_c...
Take a leaf out Bernie's Book. Get organised. Fight back. Don't get mad – get even.
10
Look, all Democrats need to do is vote, which the do not over and over again.
3
My first question to any one of these Republicans obsessing over restricting women who are complete strangers to them from getting one, is isn't their anything else in their obviously empty life that they could find more productive to care about than this? Maybe once they discovered they had a life of their own that was better in need of their worry than someone else's whose business isn't theirs, they'd realize what selfish hypocrites they must have appeared to be before.
33
But other people's business IS their lives. Look at the Westover Baptist Church people -- they would travel long distances to sully the funerals of servicemen and women. What do they get out of making other people upset and angry, and what do these politicians get from adding to the misery and poverty of women and children?
Perhaps it's rooted in evangelism, where it's one's duty to try to bring others to your way of belief and action. ...A few years ago, I heard about a minister who worked to save everyone he met, even the person in the next seat on a plane. He suddenly had a revelation that he didn't have to do that, and what a relief it was to him! But, when he attempted to share his vision, he was drummed out of his church in disgrace.
Perhaps it's rooted in evangelism, where it's one's duty to try to bring others to your way of belief and action. ...A few years ago, I heard about a minister who worked to save everyone he met, even the person in the next seat on a plane. He suddenly had a revelation that he didn't have to do that, and what a relief it was to him! But, when he attempted to share his vision, he was drummed out of his church in disgrace.
2
This country is an absolute joke now a days we are too busy hurling insults at each other. Don't you Americans realize what you have done to yourselves all you have done is put yourself into two camps and all your are doing is throwing rocks at each other. Then the world wonders when you all come together to fix your nation until that happens the world will continue to watch America like it is a SNL skit.
16
If only these local GOP initiatives help wake up dems to the need to pay attention to the mid terms and actually show up to vote.
41
Why, why, why don't the Democrats in Congress and in state legislatures talk about gerrymandering until the cows come home? The only reason a "purple" state like Pennsylvania, which has a senator from each party and has been voting for the Democrat in recent presidential elections, has a majority-Republican Congressional delegation is because of gerrymandering on the state and federal level. If there was not gerrymandering, the Republicans would likely not have a majority in the House, or the house would be split pretty evenly.
47
They don't talk much about it because nothing much can be done about it..at least until the 2020 census. The Constitution gives most authority over voting to the states.
5
That isn't the way it works.
You can have a city that has a population like Philadelphia that Votes overwhelmingly for Democrats for Congress will only get as many congressman that run for congress in that city that the Democrats would get even if they only had just one vote more than the other candidates.
Pennsylvania has two large cities that vote for the Democrats.
They win these elections by large margins.
The communities outside of these two cities are mostly Republican but not overwhelmingly so, so the Republican candidate wins but by not as big a margin.
You can have three places of equal population where one city votes mostly for Democrats and the other two votes just slightly more for Republican.
If the election goes accordingly this way you will have two Republicans being elected for every Democrat even if the total number of people voting in all three cities combined were more for the Democrats .
This is how more people can vote for Democrats and get fewer elected.
This is not gerrymandering.
This is
1
You can have a city that has a population like Philadelphia that Votes overwhelmingly for Democrats for Congress will only get as many congressman that run for congress in that city that the Democrats would get even if they only had just one vote more than the other candidates.
Pennsylvania has two large cities that vote for the Democrats.
They win these elections by large margins.
The communities outside of these two cities are mostly Republican but not overwhelmingly so, so the Republican candidate wins but by not as big a margin.
You can have three places of equal population where one city votes mostly for Democrats and the other two votes just slightly more for Republican.
If the election goes accordingly this way you will have two Republicans being elected for every Democrat even if the total number of people voting in all three cities combined were more for the Democrats .
This is how more people can vote for Democrats and get fewer elected.
This is not gerrymandering.
This is
1
2
Well, they should get ahead of the issue on the the state level, since it's the state legislatures that draw the boundaries. There have to be more Democrats in place in the state legislatures in swing states BEFORE the next census happens.
6
It was only the business pressure in Georgia that forced the governor to back off the religious discrimination law. The university presidents and chancellors and many others in the state have objected strongly to the campus carry permission. How will you know if a student is planning a shooting if guns are allowed everywhere? How can police respond, and other students and professors react with guns in the classroom? Nationwide according to some surveys, 94 percent of college faculty, 95 percent of college presidents, 9 in 10 campus police chiefs, and 74 percent of college students oppose concealed weapons on campus.
Already on campuses, there are violence against women issues, and young women of college age are frequently the object of rapes, stalking and other actions. If the men had guns, it would get far worse.
With Georgia's guns everywhere laws, homicides in Savannah went up 70% last year. Now they want campus shootings? Why bother with guards on campus if you are letting in everyone with a gun?
Murders R Us.
Already on campuses, there are violence against women issues, and young women of college age are frequently the object of rapes, stalking and other actions. If the men had guns, it would get far worse.
With Georgia's guns everywhere laws, homicides in Savannah went up 70% last year. Now they want campus shootings? Why bother with guards on campus if you are letting in everyone with a gun?
Murders R Us.
41
There would be a very simple solution - in the language of mathematical proofs "if and only if" the professors, the assistant profs, the adjuncts and the non-teaching university staff would simply say that they would not teach, would not clean the classrooms, etc., as long as any student has a gun on him. Unfortunately, we are just bloviating and bemoan the power of the NRA - but actively resisting? Who me? If you don't stand up against the lunatics, you are aiding and abetting them. In the words of a poet: "Don't be afraid of your friends - they can only betray you. Don't be afraid of your enemies: they can only kill you. BE AFRAID of the indifferent ones: they are the ones who allow the betrayers and killers to walk amongst us. . ."
9
Homicides are up in EVERY city his year. Baltimore has had an increase of 50%, Chicago's double what it was last year at this time. They're up here in Charlotte.
Who is doing all the shooting? It's not the gun owners with permits.
In this morning's Charlotte Observer there are two stories about multiple murders over drugs. All the participants are Hispanic.
I just heard on the radio if a shooting in a Black neighborhood as I was typing this.
Few college students will be old enough to carry a handgun concealed or open because federal law prohibits ownership to those 21 y/o or older. We've yet to see the increase in gun crimes promised by the gun control advocates with the increase of permitted owners. The increase is among those who are not supposed to have firearms.
Who is doing all the shooting? It's not the gun owners with permits.
In this morning's Charlotte Observer there are two stories about multiple murders over drugs. All the participants are Hispanic.
I just heard on the radio if a shooting in a Black neighborhood as I was typing this.
Few college students will be old enough to carry a handgun concealed or open because federal law prohibits ownership to those 21 y/o or older. We've yet to see the increase in gun crimes promised by the gun control advocates with the increase of permitted owners. The increase is among those who are not supposed to have firearms.
1
Back when all this nonsense started I told friends that I thought Clinton and Trump had a secret deal to derail the entire election for the republicants. Every now and then (now is one time) I come back to that concept.
7
The last sentence says it all. Let me translate: "With gerrymandering, we don't really have to worry about the general population thinks - we just cater to our core constituency". Truly, you can get all sorts of "stuff" done this way. Mostly stuff and nonsense, unfortunately
25
When a party gets down to arguing about bathrooms you know they have jumped the shark.
The fact of the matter is that there is and always has been a small population of people who are true intersexes. Neither "male" or "female" is correct for them.
The probable consequences of where this goes is that bathrooms will become labeled "bathroom," as so many already are, and the stupidity will stop.
The fact of the matter is that there is and always has been a small population of people who are true intersexes. Neither "male" or "female" is correct for them.
The probable consequences of where this goes is that bathrooms will become labeled "bathroom," as so many already are, and the stupidity will stop.
15
I spent the first 24 years of my life in Europe. In a pre-war hotel, the "bathroom" door number was 00. Later on, in other settings, the bathroom door was labeled "WC" - the old English polite word for a "loo": water closet.
And there were no urinals, so everyone went behind the door of his little compartment - male and female and nobody really gave a - oops, family publication. Sorry.
And there were no urinals, so everyone went behind the door of his little compartment - male and female and nobody really gave a - oops, family publication. Sorry.
14
I and other North Carolinians am profoundly grateful for Mississippi. I makes NC look less stupid. Not much less, but still.
32
Yeah, no. We expect research triangle park to know better.
16
Gerrymandering, combined with modern scientifically accurate demographics is destroying our democracy. It has been a cancer since the early days that has been left to fester, as is now invading our bones.
Since California changed its redistricting process (and changed the primary process) the tone has changed. Can't tell one reform from the other, but budgets are passed and the aggressiveness has declined. The fear of being superseded by someone more extreme is gone. The change that it brings to government is profound, regardless of political stripe.
Since California changed its redistricting process (and changed the primary process) the tone has changed. Can't tell one reform from the other, but budgets are passed and the aggressiveness has declined. The fear of being superseded by someone more extreme is gone. The change that it brings to government is profound, regardless of political stripe.
31
And I thank god that political stripe is BLUE here in California. Though this state has many problems, Jerry Brown and the Dem legislature get a lot done, including a budget surplus. No wasting precious time debating abortion, open carry, or religious wackiness.
8
Only in the dank recesses of the GOP mind is the potential for discrimination a "bright spot."
32
"This year, in many of the 30 state legislatures under full Republican control, la,wmakers continued to pass a number of new expansions of gun rights and groundbreaking restrictions on abortion. Perhaps most controversially, they also approved bills that opponents say would allow for discrimination against gays, lesbians and transgender people."
Sadly, these Republican legislative "wins" move the country backwards in time and further away from achieving the dreams of the founding fathers who wrote of "certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. and equal under the law." We are now two countries divided by opposed visions of how to live. I certainly don't advocate a civil war but perhaps we are nearing a time when we will be better off with some kind of formal divisions. It certainly seems worth thinking about and discussing in a civil manner.
Sadly, these Republican legislative "wins" move the country backwards in time and further away from achieving the dreams of the founding fathers who wrote of "certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. and equal under the law." We are now two countries divided by opposed visions of how to live. I certainly don't advocate a civil war but perhaps we are nearing a time when we will be better off with some kind of formal divisions. It certainly seems worth thinking about and discussing in a civil manner.
12
Thomas Jefferson wrote in his Declaration Of Independence that there comes a time when a political entity feels it is time to separate. I don't believe he had the relationship between Britain's colonists and Britain alone in mind.
Imagine how much more peace we'd all have had the South been allowed to leave under a treaty of cooperation instead of being attacked and dragged into submission.
Imagine how much more peace we'd all have had the South been allowed to leave under a treaty of cooperation instead of being attacked and dragged into submission.
2
Yes, why not. There has been some interesting analysis of what we'd have if we let the red states secede, as in fact some of them want to do. I think we would all be happier.
4
One thing is that the world would no longer look to the US to save its bacon. Neither country would be large or powerful enough to dominate any other country. Imagine our prosperity when out treasure is spent on the needs of our own citizens for a change?
2
The people that vote for these state politicians and the people that stay home and don't bother to vote are getting the government they deserve.
Wake up people...your vote for limited government is only limiting your rights and your privacy.
R to go backwards....D to go forward in Nov.
Wake up people...your vote for limited government is only limiting your rights and your privacy.
R to go backwards....D to go forward in Nov.
24
The rest of us do not "deserve" it.
4
Be assured the blacklash against right wing rule will be massive in November... in the privacy of the voting booth... or, is that up for grabs next?
37
Recommended with fingers crossed and a silent prayer.
13
Do you really think a backlash is imminent? I thought that the backlash against elected Republican stupidity would have happened in 2010, when Democrats were too lazy to get out and vote. This handed control of the gerrymandering process to the Republicans, making it just that much harder to achieve true representation of the constituency. I thought the backlash would come in 2012, once the true obstructionism made possible by said gerrymandering and outright lies to voters became obvious. (Yes, I know, Democrats lie too. I just don't see their lies as being quite as directly harmful to citizens as those of most Republicans.) But no backlash in 2012 either. Now we have allowed voter suppression and control of the voting booth to gain ground, and there are effectively NO controls over campaign financing. When you look at overall percentages of the popular vote, compared to the number of conservatives elected, it is clear that the will of the people has been subverted in many states and local districts. Call me cynical, but I'm scared. If events up til now have not been sufficient to galvanize the public to react, perhaps nothing ever will.
1
Imagine for one moment, a state, say, Michigan with its large Muslim population, passed a law, and in its opening paragraphs of the law, itemized three Islamic tenets that should suddenly deserve special privileges by the government. Conservatives would cry foul, and anyone with a remote legal understanding of our constitution would say that it would be a complete violation of the establishment clause of the first amendment.
So the Mississippi law, which does exactly that, list three tenets but of the Christian religion and grants special government privileges to those followers of those tenets and to no one else, why isn't immediately unconstitutional?
So the Mississippi law, which does exactly that, list three tenets but of the Christian religion and grants special government privileges to those followers of those tenets and to no one else, why isn't immediately unconstitutional?
48
...because it's Mississippi?
18
The Constitution: some of the readers may remember the musical "Finian's Rainbow." In it, a fast-talking, corrupt U.S. Senator visits and tries to push a pice of legislation that on the face of it was unconstitutional. A character in the play asked "Senator - did you ever read the Constitution?" His response: "No Sir - I didn't and don't have the time for that - I am too busy defending it."
Clean power suggestion: if we only could insert shafts in the graves of the Founders - they are turning in their graves - that rotation could be used as really clean power.
Clean power suggestion: if we only could insert shafts in the graves of the Founders - they are turning in their graves - that rotation could be used as really clean power.
2
It's got something to do with Mississippi having about the worst educational system in the nation.
3
We have seen how Indiana's governor collapsed like a house of cards when business opposed his effort at enforcing republican social dogma. We should be encouraged that democratic state governors and business leaders now are active in their disdain for such socially coercive legislation. Better yet are the calls to boycott North Carolina and Georgia for travel and business events. This is good and necessary but not enough.
When you combine the social aggression of the republican party with their totally failed economic policies across the board, but most notably in Kansas, you really have to wonder at the people who vote them into office.
It really is up to the people of these states to end the non governance of the republican party at all levels.
When you combine the social aggression of the republican party with their totally failed economic policies across the board, but most notably in Kansas, you really have to wonder at the people who vote them into office.
It really is up to the people of these states to end the non governance of the republican party at all levels.
27
Yeah, now Indiana is going to pay exorbitant sums to defend a restrictive abortion law forcing women to bring damaged fetuses into the world. Not a word about extra aid to care for them. The law will fall, but only after someone with standing, that is someone with a very ill child who did not want to have it and the child have suffered, and only after more money has been flushed down the same rathole as RFRA.
20
Yup bring on the wrongful life lawsuits. I remember studying those in law school and thinking about how sad and thankfully rare such cases were. Indiana is about to make them commonplace.
6
I, too, am glad to live in California, where the GOP is nothing more than a footnote now. Our state government has been functional and solvent since we showed them the door.
I know it's too much to ask the rest of the country to do the same, so enjoy the social and political dysfunction--it's all they know. In the meantime, you can forget about things like competence, fiscal responsibility, and, ultimately, your freedom--get used to the tyranny, because that's all you're going to ultimately get.
When you're ready and want government that is fiscally and legislatively responsible and works for all Americans, vote them out--you'll be surprised at the difference.
I know it's too much to ask the rest of the country to do the same, so enjoy the social and political dysfunction--it's all they know. In the meantime, you can forget about things like competence, fiscal responsibility, and, ultimately, your freedom--get used to the tyranny, because that's all you're going to ultimately get.
When you're ready and want government that is fiscally and legislatively responsible and works for all Americans, vote them out--you'll be surprised at the difference.
42
Colorado has had so many stupid changes in its state constitution, it's like walking around in holy underwear.
9
One must applaud the executives who spoke out. We also have to recognize that talk is cheap. Action speaks much louder than words. If BofA was to move some of its operations to a less bigoted state, it might give some pause for thought to North Carolinians. The comments by these "captains of industry" are cynical attempts at feigning political correctness. In America, economic action speaks much more loudly than words of condemnation.
27
My great-aunt lived in western North Carolina for many years and always voted Republican, even for Helms. Although she gave some of the best cocktail parties in Macomb County she always voted dry. She died in 1980 and was cremated, but I imagine her ashes are stirring uneasily.
2
They're on the wrong side of history, but history takes its good old time. I was hopeful when Obama was elected that the country had turned a corner, but instead the GOP dug in its heels.
Obama was wonderful, super wonderful, considering.
Not sure what I hope for now. As for the GOP I hope for Trump, because he won't just mouth the party line in the general.
As for HRC she'll get the same treatment as Obama, maybe worse. Same with Bernie but with him maybe "the people" would really protest and have an effect.
Depressing.
Obama was wonderful, super wonderful, considering.
Not sure what I hope for now. As for the GOP I hope for Trump, because he won't just mouth the party line in the general.
As for HRC she'll get the same treatment as Obama, maybe worse. Same with Bernie but with him maybe "the people" would really protest and have an effect.
Depressing.
19
The GOPers were rough on Obama. But maybe it's Obama who gets the last laugh.
Obama is standing tall. The entire Republican Party is flailing.
McConnell wanted Obama to have only one term. Now McConnell might turn around to look for his party...and it may just disappear into thin air.......
Obama is standing tall. The entire Republican Party is flailing.
McConnell wanted Obama to have only one term. Now McConnell might turn around to look for his party...and it may just disappear into thin air.......
17
Re: "Republican control, lawmakers continued to pass a number of new expansions of gun rights...For social conservatives, the legislative wins are a bright spot in an otherwise troubling health report for the Republican Party."
Come again? Killing more people is a "bright spot"? Stop calling these goons "social conservatives". Call them what they really are: vicious and sick.
Come again? Killing more people is a "bright spot"? Stop calling these goons "social conservatives". Call them what they really are: vicious and sick.
20
Please keep in mind that some of this legislation comes in response to actions by the far left. Rulings from what I would consider the far left:
People whose businesses have been destroyed, and bankrupted, because they did not want to do floral arrangements or bake a cake for gay weddings - not trying to prevent, just not wanting to participate. The two businesses I am thinking of had never discriminated against gay people in any other way - they happily sold regular flower arrangements, bakery items to anyone who came into their store. They just asked not to participate in something in which they did not feel was right. Sued and ruined. Would the same thing happen to a business that refused to participate in an event that was opposed to same sex marriage?
Look at the response to that pizza parlor owner who said they would not cater a gay wedding though they would serve anyone who came to the store. Death threats over a hypothetical question.
Maybe if the far left would tone it down, the far right would also.
People whose businesses have been destroyed, and bankrupted, because they did not want to do floral arrangements or bake a cake for gay weddings - not trying to prevent, just not wanting to participate. The two businesses I am thinking of had never discriminated against gay people in any other way - they happily sold regular flower arrangements, bakery items to anyone who came into their store. They just asked not to participate in something in which they did not feel was right. Sued and ruined. Would the same thing happen to a business that refused to participate in an event that was opposed to same sex marriage?
Look at the response to that pizza parlor owner who said they would not cater a gay wedding though they would serve anyone who came to the store. Death threats over a hypothetical question.
Maybe if the far left would tone it down, the far right would also.
3
You need to realize that there has not been a "far left" in the United States since the early part of the 20th century. The "far left" is a figment of your imagination, or has been inculcated by too much time spent watching FOX.
8
Well, you know, if you advertise a service in the public market place you don't get to lunch counter some of those who show up to purchase it. It is pretty clear and simple. If these people could not understand the lunch counter issue, they should have formed a club, not opened a business. If you don't advertise cakes you don't bake, you won't be asked to make something you never did before. Sorry, but out of business is where these religious bigots belong.
10
The far left? In the handful of cases you mention it was couples wanting to marry and seeking businesses to cater, make a cake, make pizzas for their wedding. Just like anyone. They aren't the "far left." If businesses proceed to refuse service to people they "don't feel right" about then we are doomed as a society. Please list those businesses you claim were "destroyed."
13
It never ceases to amaze me how the leftists have created controversial "social issues" out of nothing for decades now. They deliberately created moral and social issues such as forced desegregation/busing, abortion on demand, gay rights, etc. and got un-elected, lifetime appointed federal judges to suddenly create "rights" to all these things out of thin air by radical social engineering. This has gone on from the 1960s right up to the present day. Then when everyday people objected to turning acts that were once crimes into "rights" they are labeled "bigots", "racists", "fascists", etc. and generally vilified by the leftist media at the behest of their corporate masters. Big business is a leading instigator of all this agitation because it divides the public and diverts time, attention, and effort away from opposing their ongoing robbery and pillage of the United States offshoring factories and jobs, abolishing and looting pension funds, blocking national health care, flooding the country with low paid skilled and unskilled labor, and constantly getting more and more tax breaks and subsidies from both the federal and state governments as the rich get richer, the poor get poorer and the middle class is steadily liquidated. Both parties are complicit in this. Many Democrats encourage all these leftist perversions and subversions and many Republicans publicly oppose the same but do little to reverse the judicial activists. Meanwhile the economic elite continues its rampage.
3
"It never ceases to amaze me how the leftists have created controversial "social issues" out of nothing for decades now."
In point of fact, this practice has been the GOP stock in trade for decades, beginning with the McCarthy hearings, through Barry Goldwater, George Wallace, Lee Atwater,, Ronald Reagan, Next Gingrtch, Ted Cruz, Paul Ryan, Scott Walker and the Tea Party. All of them have used various "social issues" to whip up the base, incite fear, or convince their supporters to vote against their own economic interests. The base has finally woken up to this ploy, and in their collective wisdom have decided that Donald Trump is the solution. You betcha!
In point of fact, this practice has been the GOP stock in trade for decades, beginning with the McCarthy hearings, through Barry Goldwater, George Wallace, Lee Atwater,, Ronald Reagan, Next Gingrtch, Ted Cruz, Paul Ryan, Scott Walker and the Tea Party. All of them have used various "social issues" to whip up the base, incite fear, or convince their supporters to vote against their own economic interests. The base has finally woken up to this ploy, and in their collective wisdom have decided that Donald Trump is the solution. You betcha!
13
Wrong. Democrats only ask that everyone be treated equally, it's Republicans who want to intrude into people's personal lives and let things like infrastructure and education suffer.
14
Nothing is being invented. It's called progress, the hard work of righting wrongs.
4
How great would it be if the Confederate States tried to secede again. Many in the North and West Coast would happily let them go -- it would free our minds and pockets from their Second World economy, Third World education standards and Medieval belief system.
55
It never ceases to amaze me how the only groups that are regularly slandered and vilified with impunity nowadays in the media are conservative, White, Christians----especially Southerners. The comments from most of the leftist and elitist New York Times readers simply drip with vitriol against traditional values and Christian morals. Such vicious attacks against racial, religious or "ethnic" minorities would never be tolerated. It just shows how out of touch many of the well to do people on the left and east coasts are. Both Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders are tapping into that growing angst, anger and resentment of the working stiffs who have had their jobs off shored, many of the remaining jobs given to low paid foreigners inside America, their children killed and crippled in these endless Middle East wars because it was the only jobs available, and their traditional morals and character scorned and mocked. It is no wonder that many people predict a second civil war between the so called elite and the majority of working and middle class citizens who are tired of being pushed around, exploited, cursed and ignored could break out at any time. Believe me this is not a north/south divide but a rich and everyone else divide. There needs to be some real give and take and concession and compromise on all sides. We need to remember that first and foremost we are all Americans and need to work together to restore America instead of wrecking it. Learn from history! Don't repeat it!
6
rice Pritchard,
We Christians are vulnerable and must speak out against this bigotry whenever it occurs which seems to be frequently. They treat us as though we were uneducated and idiots because of our conservative views. This must stop as they would never tolerate this from us.
We Christians are vulnerable and must speak out against this bigotry whenever it occurs which seems to be frequently. They treat us as though we were uneducated and idiots because of our conservative views. This must stop as they would never tolerate this from us.
3
By all means let's get going on that idea. We can work out a plan to divide debts and assets, pay out Social Security and Medicare obligations (possibly a quasi public agency), work out a way for those who wish to move to get a fair price for their property, a one time chance for return for those who change their minds and a mutual defense treaty.
We can do this peaceably without a repeat of what occurred in India.
We can do this peaceably without a repeat of what occurred in India.
3
The Right and their regressive, conservative values versus The Left and their meta-intolerance for anyone who dare question or enter their safe space. With such polarizing sides, there is no longer any room for compromise.
3
As a new empty-nester, I'm strongly considering moving to a state where such nonsense does not pervade the state's governance. In the last 3 years, the Georgia legislature has spent untold hours passing laws to expand gun rights and permit religious beliefs to over-ride the public good. These legislators and governors need to understand that people have choices on where to live.
131
So what else is new? To these self-centered, bigoted fanatics "freedom" and "liberty" means that they may be free to make you and me live according to THEIR tastes. A piece of advice from (I believe) G. B. Shaw: DO NOT wish for your neighbor the things / ideas you wish for yourself. His tastes may be totally different.
Full disclosure: I am not gay, not transgender, nothing out of the "old time ordinary": a white, old male. Oh yes, I forgot: in the words of Will Rogers (anybody remembers Will Rogers?) I don't belong to any organized political party. That is to say, I am a Democrat.
Full disclosure: I am not gay, not transgender, nothing out of the "old time ordinary": a white, old male. Oh yes, I forgot: in the words of Will Rogers (anybody remembers Will Rogers?) I don't belong to any organized political party. That is to say, I am a Democrat.
21
One benefit here is that when my right wingnut neighbors (I find that many of them have moved here from the Midwest or South) start spouting their nonsense, I can sit quietly and find comfort that their vote won't mean a thing (at least for statewide positions). It's even better when their high school- and college-aged kids display the live-and-let-live attitude of most of us raised on the coast.
6
You're welcome to join us in Minnesota. The weather is cold as all getout, but our state's economy is booming thanks to solid Democratic leadership and policies.
6
The Republican party advocates for government so small that it fits in your bedroom where it can rule over all it sees within those walls.
48
GSB,
No, they want a government so small that it can fit into a woman's uterus.
No, they want a government so small that it can fit into a woman's uterus.
18
Ah ha! A new form of IUD: the GOP at your cervix!
9
We are never going to be able to change the minds of the conservative ideologues or the fundamentalist religious voters. Two things are necessary: 1. Don't let them intimidate us or the media into silence - don't let our fear or politeness give them the control over the conversation - speak out loudly. 2. Get out the vote by stirring people into consciousness and action.
One does not have to be an historian to be aware of the nonsensical thinking and hateful violence done in the name of religion throughout history and in today's world. As a retired priest I can assure you that silence in the face of such illogical thinking and hateful behavior is not a sign of religious tolerance for the belief of others but rather it is a moral failure on our part. In the darkest days of the AIDS crisis when the most ignorant and hateful things were being said and done the affected gay community rightfully concluded that "Silence=Death".
One does not have to be an historian to be aware of the nonsensical thinking and hateful violence done in the name of religion throughout history and in today's world. As a retired priest I can assure you that silence in the face of such illogical thinking and hateful behavior is not a sign of religious tolerance for the belief of others but rather it is a moral failure on our part. In the darkest days of the AIDS crisis when the most ignorant and hateful things were being said and done the affected gay community rightfully concluded that "Silence=Death".
63
Life is not as simple as accidentally dipping a piece of chocolate into peanut butter and calling the mess "candy."
I call it a peanut butter cup, but I can't eat them because of diabetes.
1
" As a retired priest"
Is it accurate to say that you are a retired Episcopal priest?
Is it accurate to say that you are a retired Episcopal priest?
Reading this article one would have the impression that the North Carolina law is exclusively concerned with which bathrooms transexuals can use. This is very misleading: the law in question was passed in response to a local anti-discrimination bill passed by Charlotte which did address this issue, but the content of the law is far more sweeping. It prevents local governments from passing their own anti-discrimination laws and sets a state-wide anti-discrimination law which excludes gays as well as transexuals. In addition, it prevents cities from setting their own minimum wage. I think it is misleading to spend a paragraph on LaCivita's defense without describing what are perhaps the most objectionable ramifications.
41
Good news for Larry Craig, however.
3
Next, they'll want the right to discriminate against Black people. Then women.
62
Tom,
They're already discriminating against women. See, e.g., anti abortion bills/anti-Planned Parenthood bills.
It's disgusting.
They're already discriminating against women. See, e.g., anti abortion bills/anti-Planned Parenthood bills.
It's disgusting.
26
They already discriminate against women. They don't allow women's bodies autonomy. They already discriminate against blacks, through increasing voter ID laws and gerrymandering districts.
21
They are already discriminating against women. See the draconian abortion laws.
13
I'd like to know how hating the gay, arming the angry, and obstructing women's choice is going to solve any of the serious problems that our nation faces. We need government employees to refuse to do the job they're paid to do - really? More guns? Forcing women to have babies?
Please, please, let there be a backlash to this idiocy.
Please, please, let there be a backlash to this idiocy.
52
"With subsequent Republican-guided legislative redistricting"
That, right there. That tells you that this isn't what the American people want. This is the result of deliberate and malicious political gerrymandering across the country, designed to ensure that over half the country isn't properly represented and doesn't have their voice heard.
The Republican Party, ladies and gentlemen. It can only win by cheating and suppressing voters, because its ideas aren't actually popular.
That, right there. That tells you that this isn't what the American people want. This is the result of deliberate and malicious political gerrymandering across the country, designed to ensure that over half the country isn't properly represented and doesn't have their voice heard.
The Republican Party, ladies and gentlemen. It can only win by cheating and suppressing voters, because its ideas aren't actually popular.
35
As Chris Hedges wrote in "American Fascists - The Christian Right And The War On America:" "All debates with the Christian Right are useless. We cannot reach this movement. It does not want a dialogue. It cares nothing for rational thought and discussion. It is not mollified because John Kerry prays or Jimmy Carter teaches Sunday School. These naive attempts to reach out to a movement bent on our destruction, to prove to them that we too have "values," would be humorous if the stakes were not so deadly. They hate us. They hate the liberal, enlightened world formed by the Constitution. This movement will not stop until we are ruled by Biblical Law, an authoritarian church intrudes in every aspect of our life, women stay at home and rear children, gays agree to be cured, abortion is considered murder, the press and the schools promote 'positive' Christian values, the federal government is gutted, war becomes our primary form of communication with the rest of the world and recalcitrant non-believers see their flesh eviscerated at the sound of the Messiah's voice."
55
Yow right on!
10
Do any of the business that support the right to discriminate against gay people or anyone else want to put a sign in their windows saying "No Gays Served?" like was done to blacks before the civil rights laws? Do they want to be the ones refusing to let trans people use the bathroom of their choice by putting up a sign that says they can't?
Of course not. They want to be able to discriminate without anyone knowing that they do it. They know it is wrong and they know that they would face a backlash. How shameful to pass these kinds of laws and yet be ashamed of owning your own actions and refusing to face the consequences of them.
Of course not. They want to be able to discriminate without anyone knowing that they do it. They know it is wrong and they know that they would face a backlash. How shameful to pass these kinds of laws and yet be ashamed of owning your own actions and refusing to face the consequences of them.
39
Reminds me of the old woman in Blazing Saddles who brings a pie for the [black] sherif, but doesn't want to be seen being nice to him.
6
Here in Fla. the state legislator will not accept billions of dollars from the federal gov't to expand medicaid to approximately 700,000 people, but they will rush to get an open carry law passed for the state universities that none of the universities wants. My question for these Republican legislators is one of scale. I doubt very much that there are 700,000 people whose lives depend on them being able to openly carry weapons to school and yet that is in the forefront of this session while all conversations about medicaid have been shut down. I don't think representative government means the same thing to Republicans as it does to the rest of the country.
76
Having now lived in The Villages, Florida for 4 years (near Mt. Dora) I strongly agree with Rick Gage. The Republican legislature is beyond backward and out touch. It's more like an unarmed group from ISIS that looks to create havoc under the guise of the protection of religious rights, the sanctity of the vote, protecting women from abortion and assuring that anyone can carry a firearm anywhere. It is beyond bizarre. It's frightening. The legislature will not pass bills increasing funds for education. Roadways and transportation are at their limits but no new taxes can be added to repair or build new projects. Schools throughout Florida are literally falling apart. Some school districts can't afford books. The number of trailers used for class rooms is appalling. Abortion in FL is a 4 letter word. Healthcare is only available to the wealthy. Unions are despised. Voting registration is a joke. Worse, blacks and hispanics are considered unfit, 3rd world like zombies to be avoided. The open hatred of blacks and hispanics is appalling. The number of wealthy white only gated communities is increasing daily. There are civil services and infrastructure for those communities but not elsewhere. I'm embarrassed and ashamed. Outside of Disney World, Orlando is a ticking bomb of racial unrest and crime.
Florida for well to do retirees is fine. For white folks its fine too. For everyone else this state is a 3rd world country. Republicans created a gated paradise but not for everyone.
Florida for well to do retirees is fine. For white folks its fine too. For everyone else this state is a 3rd world country. Republicans created a gated paradise but not for everyone.
21
These Republican led states are being drive into the ground economically. No matter. Keep the eye on those gays and fetuses and maybe nobody will notice that some of those places are turning into third world countries.
36
Sorry. Indiana is doing fine economically, but Pence is doing the Christian Sharia thing with RFRA and abortion restrictions. Hope to put him out of business this November.
4
North Carolina is doing fine economically with 233,000 jobs gained last year. It's all those people moving down from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
1
Are we there yet? I'm starting to see the cannibalism and I can't say I'm disappointed, however these next few months will be painful. I take special umbrage with the NRA, not all members, this said 2016 has been fruitful so far in shining the light on how disingenuous this gun business is & has been, yes ALEC you're included. Just this week our Secret Service said no guns allowed OC/CC by our 'patriotic americans' who wish to participate in GOP Convention. They're concerned about Safety issues this makes me wonder if Greg Abbott will be there. He insists gun worthy carriers carry in every classroom. The NYPD Commish also made a comment about the proliferation of guns.
And then there's Flint, if you can't shoot, poison. No I am sure this wasn't their intent but it sure did take out the hopes of 100+k & a voting block. Who else wants water? Who's up there in MI & WI, a KOCH Co.? Yes is the answer Co. named Enbridge. Yea they're in trouble on so many levels. Thanks Black Lives Matter & Occupy Thank You.
And then there's Flint, if you can't shoot, poison. No I am sure this wasn't their intent but it sure did take out the hopes of 100+k & a voting block. Who else wants water? Who's up there in MI & WI, a KOCH Co.? Yes is the answer Co. named Enbridge. Yea they're in trouble on so many levels. Thanks Black Lives Matter & Occupy Thank You.
15
Many of the corporations who are now "standing up" for LGBTQ rights need to acknowledge that they also are a part of the problem. Those same corporations gave substantial amounts of money to the very Republican politicians (and they are almost all Republicans)who are now passing and signing these bigoted laws. I'll single out Bank of America here--it gave a lot of money to both the current governor of North Carolina and the North Carolina Republican Party, but Bank of America is far from alone. Those Republican politicians and state and local Republican parties made no secret of their hostility towards LGBTQ rights and the corporations that gave them money cannot therefore feign surprise about the political beliefs and inclinations of the politicians that their generous donations helped put into power. Now they need to pledge not to repeat this same mistake during this election year. We all need to pay attention to which companies are supporting which bigoted politicians and call them out very publicly when they make such political contributions.
26
For a perfect example of social issues legislation blowing up in Republicans’ faces you can look to Minnesota in the 2012 election.
In Minnesota, the legislature can place a referendum on the ballot if they pass the measure in both houses – and the governor cannot veto it. So in 2012 the GOP, which controlled both houses, placed an anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment on the ballot with almost zero Democratic support.
The referendum failed and the GOP also lost 11 seats in the House and 9 in the Senate, which allowed Democrats to take control of both. With a Democrat in the governor’s office, this gave them unitary control of the elected branches.
And even better – within 6 months of taking office the Democrats passed and the governor signed a bill granting same-sex marriage. Grassroots support for marriage equality was weak until people mobilized in opposition to the GOP’s referendum. If not for the GOP initiating the same-sex marriage fight equality would not have come to Minnesota until two years later when the Supreme Court ruled on it.
In Minnesota, the legislature can place a referendum on the ballot if they pass the measure in both houses – and the governor cannot veto it. So in 2012 the GOP, which controlled both houses, placed an anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment on the ballot with almost zero Democratic support.
The referendum failed and the GOP also lost 11 seats in the House and 9 in the Senate, which allowed Democrats to take control of both. With a Democrat in the governor’s office, this gave them unitary control of the elected branches.
And even better – within 6 months of taking office the Democrats passed and the governor signed a bill granting same-sex marriage. Grassroots support for marriage equality was weak until people mobilized in opposition to the GOP’s referendum. If not for the GOP initiating the same-sex marriage fight equality would not have come to Minnesota until two years later when the Supreme Court ruled on it.
125
And this was just one of many actions that created a different environment between Minnesota and its neighbor Wisconsin for growing businesses, for healthy inclusive families, for education, health care and and proactive environmental actions. State governments that respect the needs of people and do not impose increasingly obsolete ideologies do produce results which benefit residents.
9
The north has always been more democratic. The south has never gotten over the big house control of their politics. The northern climate makes people consider the needs of others. The south, not so much. Guns and bibles gets them through their days.
2
I just booked a flight to Charlotte NC and to Myrtle Beach and was surprised to see so many seats still open. American and other airline lobbyists must be working overtime to reverse this blow to their business. We used to drive the three hours to our friend's house on Myrtle Beach, but frankly, the open country in NC, lovely as it is, feels a little scary to drive through. And I'm white.
17
What I really find incredible is how tone deaf the Republicans are, how they are incapable of discerning the change sweeping across the country in terms of not only social issues, but the great income divide we face. They hang on to their male white 1950's ideas by their fingernails, hoping to squeeze one more election cycle out of the hate they've been peddling for decades.
They seems to think they're succeeding at the state level, but the facts show that most Republican run states are in deep, deep financial trouble, and the slashing of services and school funding while giving tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations has gone about as far as it can go. Louisiana, Wisconsin, Kansas, Florida all circling the drain.
In Michigan, having nowhere else to cut, they sacrificed their poor children to lead poisoning to save money on water.
That's the inevitable outcome when you foolishly attempt to 'run government like a business'. Discriminating against non-straight people and insisting on telling women what they can do with their bodies is mandatory as well.
Let's keep in mind that while Trump is just a flash in the pan, Cruz's compassionate approach to women seeking abortions is denying them any choice in the matter whatsoever.
They seems to think they're succeeding at the state level, but the facts show that most Republican run states are in deep, deep financial trouble, and the slashing of services and school funding while giving tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations has gone about as far as it can go. Louisiana, Wisconsin, Kansas, Florida all circling the drain.
In Michigan, having nowhere else to cut, they sacrificed their poor children to lead poisoning to save money on water.
That's the inevitable outcome when you foolishly attempt to 'run government like a business'. Discriminating against non-straight people and insisting on telling women what they can do with their bodies is mandatory as well.
Let's keep in mind that while Trump is just a flash in the pan, Cruz's compassionate approach to women seeking abortions is denying them any choice in the matter whatsoever.
37
What gets me is all these toilet police articles appear to be about "protecting kids" from "bio men in women's rooms". Why they need protection, I have no idea.
Um, rightwingers? There's trans men in the men's room too. But somehow, for some reason, that doesn't seem to occur to any of these types.
Guess it just shows the misogyny of the right all over again.
Um, rightwingers? There's trans men in the men's room too. But somehow, for some reason, that doesn't seem to occur to any of these types.
Guess it just shows the misogyny of the right all over again.
18
The Democrats appear to have ceded the territory of state and local politics to the Crazies. Does the Democratic party have a plan to address this in the future?
11
Good point. How many Democrats who are wring their hands and complaining failed to get to the polls?
6
Non-voters. The elephant-sized donkey in the room.
3
The republican party only thrives in states where gerrymandering has limited the ability for democrats to make gains. Personally, I have no interest in visiting, vacationing or doing business in any of these states anymore. I'd also like to see federal funding to these states drastically reduced. Most red states get far more money from the federal government than they contribute - the rich blue states should be keeping that money for themselves.
33
There are only six states that have legislatures and Governors controlled by Democrats. Enjoy Rhode Island
6
Welcome to the scary dystopian future novel...oh, sorry, it's real. Time to reread "The Handmaid's Tale."
17
This nation has been pulled ever-farther to the right by the systematic and well-funded efforts of right wing power players like the Koch brothers and their American for Prosperity, ALEC, the Club for Growth, the NRA and a host of billionaire-funded ultra-conservative superPacs. These extremists have focused on influencing local and state politics where a small amount of money goes a very long along way.
The Citizen's United decision has opened the floodgates of dark money into every level of government and the ultra-wealthy right wing corporatists have taken full advantage of this democracy-destroying decision to undermine the American political process. The emergence of ultra-right wing of the GOP-controlled House, the Freedom Caucus, is a direct result of the power of the Koch's and their partners to influence Congressional elections.
We are witnessing the rise of corporate fascism in the United States and it has been aided and abetted by the Supreme Court. To blunt the force of these right wing extremists we must overturn the Citizen's United decision and return the Supreme Court to a judicial balance that will protect the interests all Americans, not just the 0.1%
The Citizen's United decision has opened the floodgates of dark money into every level of government and the ultra-wealthy right wing corporatists have taken full advantage of this democracy-destroying decision to undermine the American political process. The emergence of ultra-right wing of the GOP-controlled House, the Freedom Caucus, is a direct result of the power of the Koch's and their partners to influence Congressional elections.
We are witnessing the rise of corporate fascism in the United States and it has been aided and abetted by the Supreme Court. To blunt the force of these right wing extremists we must overturn the Citizen's United decision and return the Supreme Court to a judicial balance that will protect the interests all Americans, not just the 0.1%
37
"...support law-abiding gun owners’ ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights".
Yes, I favor the right of Americans to join a well-regulated militia, what we now call the National Guard. Go ahead and serve, and stop scaring all other Americans with military-grade weapons and extremist views.
The right of a minority cannot supersede the rights of the majority. The rights of any individual or group are limited when they impose on the rights of others. What happened to our right to be safe and secure in public places?
Yes, I favor the right of Americans to join a well-regulated militia, what we now call the National Guard. Go ahead and serve, and stop scaring all other Americans with military-grade weapons and extremist views.
The right of a minority cannot supersede the rights of the majority. The rights of any individual or group are limited when they impose on the rights of others. What happened to our right to be safe and secure in public places?
23
Short and powerful... Well said!
5
Too bad Scalia isn't still around to make an originalist argument about guns: these people can each own one musket. The constitution does not address automatic weapons or high-capacity magazines. Or, for that matter, airplanes or nuclear weapons.
3
Thanks for the support, and actually serving and protecting Americans and our rights.
3
We should have let them secede.
20
And take Indiana with them.
3
So I'm a gay christian, does that mean I can now discriminate against myself if I ever have the pleasure of traveling to NC? When do the churches in these lovely states start putting out "we do not serve the gays" signs?
18
The big business opposition is simply posturing. If Bank of America really wanted to bring the North Carolina legislature to heel, it would take just a few well placed phone calls and maybe a couple of token contributions to the Democratic Party. But you don't see that happening. Instead it's hand-wringing PR releases and twitter posts. Talk is cheap.
32
It worked here in Georgia!
Governor Deal did the fastest 180 in history by vetoing that bill! The Georgia Dome was to be the site of the Super Bowl. One call from Roger...and Deal was live on television vetoing that bill.
Governor Deal did the fastest 180 in history by vetoing that bill! The Georgia Dome was to be the site of the Super Bowl. One call from Roger...and Deal was live on television vetoing that bill.
8
Correct.If the Bank of America were a honest institution than it never would have left California where it was founded (capitalized with gold from the ground), and where it promised to stay when it was sold (during that later gold rush, the dot
com boom).
com boom).
2
This shows why it's vital that Democrats come out in 2016 and 2018 to vote for common sense, tolerance, and the 21st century. All Democrats, including some Sanders supporters, who seem to share the delusion along with Trump supporters that a President is the only office they need to vote for to change everything, must work to get rid of Republican governors, attorneys general and state legislators who support anti-LGBT, anti-union, anti-abortion rights, pro-gun regressive and discriminatory laws are defeated. The Democrats scored a rare win in the South last year in Louisiana, and even if John Bel Edwards is not all that liberal, he is a lot better a governor than Bobby Jindal ever was. The perfect is the enemy of the good. Support all Democrats running for state office this year and in two years, and maybe we can make a dent in the overwhelming GOP majority in state governorships and legislatures.
73
It will take a lot more hard work and staying with it than Americans may be willing to commit. I'm not optimistic.
2
For a party that supposedly cherishes freedom, Republicans have been surprisingly efficient at taking it away from their constituents.
123
If I have learned anything from the past 8 years, it is that in America, there is no political price for doing the wrong thing. In fact, you make the most powerful allies that way.
Just say whatever gets you elected, and then do whatever your patrons whisper in your ear, right McConnell? The NRA and ALEC are calling all the big shots in this country still.
Just say whatever gets you elected, and then do whatever your patrons whisper in your ear, right McConnell? The NRA and ALEC are calling all the big shots in this country still.
79
Re Mr. LaCivita's comments on NC's new law.
Our legislature and governor love the term he used: "common sense." They use it describe laws that solve problems that don't exist.
Example 1: our voter id law, passed to prevent voter fraud, of which there has been essentially none in our state. Example 2: the bathroom bill, HB2, to protect the privacy of individuals in bathrooms. Mr. LaCivita doesn't say it, but the focus has been on transgender individuals as a threat to women and children in public bathrooms. There is no data to support the need for this law and therefore none is cited. It's just a crass political hot button issue.
To see how low things have gotten, check out this website:
http://www.standwithmccrory.com/
Pay particular attention to the background picture.
Per the Raleigh News & Observer, the website is the work of the campaign committee of Senator Phil Berger, the President Pro Tem of the NC Senate who is widely acknowledged to be the architect of the alarming right turn NC has taken under GOP control in recent years.
This bathroom issue, a sideshow at best, has served well to distract the public from the truly onerous provision of this legislation:
it invalidates anti-discrimination ordinances passed by local governmental entities, and replaces those ordinances "with a statewide nondiscrimination law that doesn’t include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories." (N&O website, 3/31/15). That's why everybody's upset!
Our legislature and governor love the term he used: "common sense." They use it describe laws that solve problems that don't exist.
Example 1: our voter id law, passed to prevent voter fraud, of which there has been essentially none in our state. Example 2: the bathroom bill, HB2, to protect the privacy of individuals in bathrooms. Mr. LaCivita doesn't say it, but the focus has been on transgender individuals as a threat to women and children in public bathrooms. There is no data to support the need for this law and therefore none is cited. It's just a crass political hot button issue.
To see how low things have gotten, check out this website:
http://www.standwithmccrory.com/
Pay particular attention to the background picture.
Per the Raleigh News & Observer, the website is the work of the campaign committee of Senator Phil Berger, the President Pro Tem of the NC Senate who is widely acknowledged to be the architect of the alarming right turn NC has taken under GOP control in recent years.
This bathroom issue, a sideshow at best, has served well to distract the public from the truly onerous provision of this legislation:
it invalidates anti-discrimination ordinances passed by local governmental entities, and replaces those ordinances "with a statewide nondiscrimination law that doesn’t include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories." (N&O website, 3/31/15). That's why everybody's upset!
17
You are right but you didn't mention that the legislature basically has taken away any right for local rule. They have done this on other issues also -- local rights to raise revenue or raise the minimum wage. They are not about freedom. They are about taking away freedom. They are also not in the majority but their gerrymandered districts keep them in power anyway.
11
And you are right ... but I just had 1500 characters! :-)
3
Not going to refute anything here, just want to ask the question: Is the Democratic version of this article coming out tomorrow? They have just as many issues, whether you want to believe it or not. I won't hold my breath.
5
Go ahead and name some of them.
3
The article is simply pointing out that the party that holds overwhelming power in the majority of state legislatures is able pass its legislative agenda in the states, but it may count against them when it comes to fighting a national race, i.e. the Presidency. I'm hoping that the NYT will eventually be able to write the 'Democrat version', but that would mean they'd have to overcome 20 years of gerrymandering electorates that favor the GOP. Can't wait to read how states raised minimum wages, made it illegal for banks to engage in predatory lending, that all Americans, gay, straight, bi, trans are treated equally under the law, a ban on assault weapons, and that abortion rates fall as low as other western countries with sensible sex education and access to contraception. But like you, I don't think I'll hold my breath.
10
You are darn right the democrats have their problems. What about Hillary Clinton's email trouble and where is Bernie Sanders going to get all the money to pay for these free giveaways. I would like to hear these stories.
2
Make no mistake: the laws about transgender people using bathrooms based on their "birth gender" can only be enforced by checking a person's genitals and comparing it with their birth certificate.
So much for Republicans' distaste for big government.
So much for Republicans' distaste for big government.
80
I should think that a woman who has transitioned walking into the women's room would be more discomforting for the other women using the women's room than the opposite. But maybe I'm missing something.
3
Well they can shut down more polling places and save a bunch of money to hire bathroom monitors: "papers please". This is the country they want.
7
Woman here. If I have to watch you pee standing up, get out. Pretty unlikely, as there are stalls for everything in ladies' rooms. If there are urinals, it is I who is in the wrong room.
4
No mention of Kansas, which has made dramatic tax cuts under radical right winger, Governor Sam Brownback in the belief that it would spur growth in economic activity. It didn't. Neighboring Nebraska has better economic growth than Kansas, which now has a serious budget deficit.
24
We Nebraskans thank you! I like to think that despite being quite conservative here in Nebraska, we're also much more reasonable and practical, in part because we have a Unicameral state legislature (instead of the normal Bicameral legislature) which is officially non-partisan (no "R" or "D" next to Unicameral candidate names on the ballot in Nebraska).
That said, we've got a Tea Party Governor who is trying his hardest to move us in the direction of Kansas, but I'm optimistic he'll fail.
That said, we've got a Tea Party Governor who is trying his hardest to move us in the direction of Kansas, but I'm optimistic he'll fail.
9
Well it seems the risks are that the Republican party may be recognized as the party which is trying to suppress minorities, curtail women's reproductive rights, increase the numbers of gun deaths in this country, decrease worker's rights, increase corporate profits, and so on. It's the party of reactionary fascism, and there's some risk its recent moves will demonstrate its nature.
But this is a very tiny risk, because most of us capable of seeing the GOP's fascist bent are already fully aware of it. And most people who are not concerned about it are incapable of changing their minds or absorbing new information, not to mention a hefty section of the population that is heartily in support of suppressing women and minorities, reducing rights, increasing gun deaths, and so on.
So I don't think this will change things much in the short run, because such a large chunk of the American population is ignorant and delusional. But in the long run, younger generations are getting pretty tired of the repressive, fascist, fundamentalist tone of the GOP and the party probably has no future, unless they can install a totalitarian government soon and be done with elections.
But this is a very tiny risk, because most of us capable of seeing the GOP's fascist bent are already fully aware of it. And most people who are not concerned about it are incapable of changing their minds or absorbing new information, not to mention a hefty section of the population that is heartily in support of suppressing women and minorities, reducing rights, increasing gun deaths, and so on.
So I don't think this will change things much in the short run, because such a large chunk of the American population is ignorant and delusional. But in the long run, younger generations are getting pretty tired of the repressive, fascist, fundamentalist tone of the GOP and the party probably has no future, unless they can install a totalitarian government soon and be done with elections.
33
Nice to see you back, Dan. Sure do miss your wisdom when you're gone.
4
Thanks Blue State, good to see you again too :) Never really went away, I've just been quieter lately.
The most ill-advised laws empower a cadre of zealots who want to dig into, and control, individual rights. When I walk into a business, will I have to hide my real identity, or carry a doctor's note which defines my sexual identity? Will the local business owner decide that I just don't look right to him; I might be gay (I'm not), or I might be having lunch with a friend from work who might be gay (I've never asked).
And the anti-abortion zealots will be prying into my health history to find out if I've been pregnant recently, how I got that way, who the father is, and why am I not pregnant anymore. And that little trip I took awhile back when I came home with less waistline is certainly suspect. Liposuction or another kind of suction in a different part of the body?
And the anti-abortion zealots will be prying into my health history to find out if I've been pregnant recently, how I got that way, who the father is, and why am I not pregnant anymore. And that little trip I took awhile back when I came home with less waistline is certainly suspect. Liposuction or another kind of suction in a different part of the body?
24
If you ever learned about the Third Reich, or read any number of the good histories available, you know what you are seeing here in America--a shift to an authoritarian state by people who are too lazy to learn things or think for themselves.
12
Not being able to reconcile the dogma of my Catholic religion with the separation of Church and State in the Constitution, has always deterred me from ever seeking any public office.
However, I found Chris Matthews' interview of Donald Trump yesterday to be especially hypocritical and cynical.
Matthews kept badgering Trump, "Would you punish the woman, if she had an abortion?" Trump tried to qualify his response, but Matthews (a Catholic, by the way), entrapped him. "If you say it is illegal, then there must be a punishment." Trump could not parse out a reasonable response to this hypocritical rhetorical question.
Of course then, all 4 of the other candidates pounced instantly.
I am surprised the Pope didn't pounce too -- that's how deliberate and manipulative this posturing by Matthews was.
Like the CNN "rape" question to Michael Dukakis in 1988.
But, there could be, still, a minor punishment -- for instance, if you are a woman of substantial means, then you should pay a premium for the abortion procedure to pay for the abortion and birth control costs of poorer women who can't afford them.
And the Pope could give a Penance -- "Three Hail Mary's and one Our Father."
What Trump did not get, yet, was that the GOP doesn't really want to outlaw abortions-- they just want to be against it just enough to buy some Pro-Life votes, as they cobble together some other one issue voters on guns, plus the xenophobes-- to eke out their electoral strategy.
However, I found Chris Matthews' interview of Donald Trump yesterday to be especially hypocritical and cynical.
Matthews kept badgering Trump, "Would you punish the woman, if she had an abortion?" Trump tried to qualify his response, but Matthews (a Catholic, by the way), entrapped him. "If you say it is illegal, then there must be a punishment." Trump could not parse out a reasonable response to this hypocritical rhetorical question.
Of course then, all 4 of the other candidates pounced instantly.
I am surprised the Pope didn't pounce too -- that's how deliberate and manipulative this posturing by Matthews was.
Like the CNN "rape" question to Michael Dukakis in 1988.
But, there could be, still, a minor punishment -- for instance, if you are a woman of substantial means, then you should pay a premium for the abortion procedure to pay for the abortion and birth control costs of poorer women who can't afford them.
And the Pope could give a Penance -- "Three Hail Mary's and one Our Father."
What Trump did not get, yet, was that the GOP doesn't really want to outlaw abortions-- they just want to be against it just enough to buy some Pro-Life votes, as they cobble together some other one issue voters on guns, plus the xenophobes-- to eke out their electoral strategy.
5
Just another example of the Trumster being too lazy to consider this really important question. But then again maybe he figured his supporters would relish punishing women who have the nerve to try and control their own biology.
2
You seem determined to apologize for Trump's foolish statements.
Matthews didn't "badger" Trump at all, simply asking the obvious questions which began with Trump being asked why in 1999, on TV, had said he said he was pro-choice, only to say in 2015 he was "pro-life."
It was Trump who decided to prove his "pro-lifiness" by declaring that under his regime, abortion would be made illegal. Matthews then asked the obvious question: if you make abortion illegal, how would you punish women who get abortions? It's a very obvious question, because what's the point of making something illegal if there is literally no punishment for breaking the law? And logically, how can you only punish the doctor performing an abortion, if the woman is the one who initiated the act, made the contact and request, and convinced the doctor to perform the illegal act? In all of U.S. law over 200 plus years, a person who initiates and convinces someone else to join them in a criminal act is just as guilty!
You also seem to ignore the fact that while GOP politicians, along with so-called "pro-life" groups, rushed to condemn what Trump said, and claim a woman should NEVER be punished for having an abortion, in fact for the last 20 years Republicans, mostly at the state level, have done nothing but punish women seeking an abortion! Why the unnecessary vaginal wand rapes? Why forced burials in Indiana? Why cut funding for STD programs in several GOP-run states? All to punish women having abortions!
Matthews didn't "badger" Trump at all, simply asking the obvious questions which began with Trump being asked why in 1999, on TV, had said he said he was pro-choice, only to say in 2015 he was "pro-life."
It was Trump who decided to prove his "pro-lifiness" by declaring that under his regime, abortion would be made illegal. Matthews then asked the obvious question: if you make abortion illegal, how would you punish women who get abortions? It's a very obvious question, because what's the point of making something illegal if there is literally no punishment for breaking the law? And logically, how can you only punish the doctor performing an abortion, if the woman is the one who initiated the act, made the contact and request, and convinced the doctor to perform the illegal act? In all of U.S. law over 200 plus years, a person who initiates and convinces someone else to join them in a criminal act is just as guilty!
You also seem to ignore the fact that while GOP politicians, along with so-called "pro-life" groups, rushed to condemn what Trump said, and claim a woman should NEVER be punished for having an abortion, in fact for the last 20 years Republicans, mostly at the state level, have done nothing but punish women seeking an abortion! Why the unnecessary vaginal wand rapes? Why forced burials in Indiana? Why cut funding for STD programs in several GOP-run states? All to punish women having abortions!
23
Trump deserves to be badgered to show that he engages his mouth before he engaged whatever it is he calls his brain (and most would consider to be his colon).
10
It seems the only form of human life the GOP cares about are fetuses. And then only those carried by the poor since so far the well insured don't have to rely on clinics. It is these same poor fetuses should they happen to be born that the same GOP wants to deny food and healthcare.
However once they reach 18 they can carry guns anywhere they want.
All this is the name of a Christianity unrecognizable to the majority of Christians and a perverse interpretation of the Second Amendment to the Constitution while totally ignoring the First Amendment which guarantees freedom of religion.
No wonder Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are the front runners. Ted Cruz rarely tells the truth and Donald Trump doesn't know fact from fiction.
However once they reach 18 they can carry guns anywhere they want.
All this is the name of a Christianity unrecognizable to the majority of Christians and a perverse interpretation of the Second Amendment to the Constitution while totally ignoring the First Amendment which guarantees freedom of religion.
No wonder Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are the front runners. Ted Cruz rarely tells the truth and Donald Trump doesn't know fact from fiction.
199
They're pro-birth, not pro-life.
16
Shirley,
Republicans care about corporations, which as Mitt told us, "are people".
Republicans care about corporations, which as Mitt told us, "are people".
6
We've seen something like this "christianity" before...in the nations of the Axis which we thought we won over in 1945.
6
What Defcon level has the Republican Party reached when Ted Cruz is considered the more reasonable, calmer alternative?
52
The irony is breathtaking: the supposed party of "small government" consistently passes the most intrusive legislation imaginable that routinely disregards civil rights and the Constitution. In my state, the unfortunate effects of gerrymandering and right wing lobby groups' influence ensure that the trend will not diminish.
28
Yes, I don't see how things can be fixed until gerrymandering is undone. My working class, mixed housing neighborhood is districted in with a breathtakingly wealthy conservative enclave, which makes my votes at the local level meaningless.
15
So true!
I recently thought things had reached a new peak when the GOP-controlled legislature in Indiana passed a law mandating that any woman who has an abortion MUST pay to either cremate or bury the "remains." Of course, since more than 80% of abortions occur in the first trimester, and are usually just swallowing two pills and going home to have what is basically no different than the monthly menstrual cycle, there isn't really anything to cremate or bury! But never mind, say the GOP legislature, we're going to force you to spend hundreds, if not thousands, of needless dollars in our effort to punish you for daring to have an abortion (done, of course, because we're the "party of small government and individual freedom, who want to keep government out of people's lives!").
I recently thought things had reached a new peak when the GOP-controlled legislature in Indiana passed a law mandating that any woman who has an abortion MUST pay to either cremate or bury the "remains." Of course, since more than 80% of abortions occur in the first trimester, and are usually just swallowing two pills and going home to have what is basically no different than the monthly menstrual cycle, there isn't really anything to cremate or bury! But never mind, say the GOP legislature, we're going to force you to spend hundreds, if not thousands, of needless dollars in our effort to punish you for daring to have an abortion (done, of course, because we're the "party of small government and individual freedom, who want to keep government out of people's lives!").
8
Until Republicans start losing state and local elections, these conservative, restrictive laws will continue to proliferate whether it's anti-abortion legislation, Voter ID laws, or loosening gun regulations. So far, Governor Rick Scott has been re-elected in Florida and Scott Walker easily survived a recall. We are in the midst of a new civil (rights) war fought in the statehouses across America and it looks as if we're dividing into increasingly polarized blue and red states and forming a Dis-United States of America.
95
Understand that their strategy is to disenfranchise the voters who can turn them out by changing the rules of the game, abetted by the Supreme Court's gutting of the Voters' Rights Act. Now states can establish onerous voter ID restrictions and out-and-out reduce the number of polling places available, reduce polling hours, and use insecure voting software-machines that effectively "flip" or "lose votes" and other tactics to shut out legitimate voters. We live in scary times.
2
I do not find the current glut of "bathroom bills" put forth by the GOP encouraging at all. Minnesota has its own "Team GOPee" working on it's version of toilet control. What I do find encouraging is looking at the photo accompanying this article and seeing the youth of America standing up for themselves and others. That is truly what makes a difference. Those young adults have parents and grandparents who learn from their children, it does not matter: LGBT, black, white, red, yellow....we are in it together.
37
I guess the Republicans are in need of toilet training.
The really interesting thing is that Trump just voiced the ideology and the laws Republcians are passing all over the country, "punishing women". Sending them to prison would be the next step. Trump is in step with the rest of the Republican party, he is just saying it out loud. Republicans want American Sharia law.
I notice that companies and corporations have not advocated for women and their rights, which says a lot about the misogyny in this country.
I notice that companies and corporations have not advocated for women and their rights, which says a lot about the misogyny in this country.
92
Part of the problem is that women don't demand that companies behave responsibly when it comes to women's rights. Women have a lot of purchasing power but we're slow to use it and that needs to change.
14
Doris - "I notice that companies and corporations have not advocated for women and their rights, which says a lot about the misogyny in this country."
Such a broad all encompassing statement, does it mean all companies and corporations are owned and run by Republicans? Not a Democrat in the bunch? Do you really think that?
Such a broad all encompassing statement, does it mean all companies and corporations are owned and run by Republicans? Not a Democrat in the bunch? Do you really think that?
2
Most big corporations don't care about the reproductive rights of women or LGBT rights in general, or rights for "the little people", one way or the other. They're just happy to see these issues occupying the minds and time of Neocon voters so they don't notice they've picked all our pockets and we've become a plutocracy/oligarchy. They're perfectly happy with lobbyists' time being used to bang the bottom of the religious right pan on these issues for that reason. Then all their ALEC-written legislation gets passed with nary a discouraging word from the population. Meanwhile, infrastructure is crumbling, financial inequality is growing, ice sheets are melting ...
3
Bigotry is really expensive. Some people need to learn that the hard way.
20
Bigotry comes in many types. There is Catholic bigotry. There is Christian bigotry. I am sure you were thinking about those kinds of bigotries when you made this comment.
The Republican Party will go out with a bang and not a whimper, but out it will go, and none too soon.
66
I'd like to believe that, I really would, but people keep voting them in, which is the biggest puzzlement here.
39
Even more reason for these hypocrites to allow open carry at their convention. Get the bang started!
3
Ahh, Feel the Bang!
1
Make sure the simple folks have their guns, their religious freedom to persecute gays, and their Sharia-like abortion laws, and they won't notice that their pockets and futures are being picked. Its genius.
Wingnut, noun, [wing nut]: a nut having two flat, widely projecting pieces such that it can be easily manipulated.
Wingnut, noun, [wing nut]: a nut having two flat, widely projecting pieces such that it can be easily manipulated.
176
The Republicans prefer to ignore the fact that decades ago, they LOST California and completely crippled the CA Republican party, by trying to pass anti-immigration legislation. The backlash effectively destroyed the GOP. It's unbelievable they have not yet learned their lesson. Even Millennial conservatives I talk to don't understand why the GOP can't stay out of people's bedrooms (and now, public bathrooms).
108
Given the backlash against liberals, especially their stranglehold on speech, which has Americans literally gagging on political correctness, I'd say republicans are in a relatively "safe space" as far as politics go.
As far as being the party of "No", that sounds an awful lot like many of the voters who are telling the establishment pretty much the same thing. Turns out the TEA Party was years ahead of everyone and understood the problems with entrenched power. It just focused on spending, so democrats dismissed its message even though many now are singing the same tune.
As far as being the party of "No", that sounds an awful lot like many of the voters who are telling the establishment pretty much the same thing. Turns out the TEA Party was years ahead of everyone and understood the problems with entrenched power. It just focused on spending, so democrats dismissed its message even though many now are singing the same tune.
2
This 'Americans are gagging on political correctness' trope is truly driving me nuts. That our country drastically overspent to destabilize the Middle East, and many other places before that, and failed to tax and spend properly on infrastructure, health care, education does not mean that people who don't conform to some Christian social code should be discriminated against. What else are the Republicans giving people besides that?
Where we're at now, as a nation, is the fault of really bad planning and oversight. Denying some Americans their rights, or arming others to their teeth to mollify some ridiculous fears, is not a logical response to that.
Where we're at now, as a nation, is the fault of really bad planning and oversight. Denying some Americans their rights, or arming others to their teeth to mollify some ridiculous fears, is not a logical response to that.
54
Political correctness goes two ways. Trump's political correctness says it's okay to discriminate, harbor racist ideals, and be generally ignorant about much of the rest of the world.
This is Trump's political correctness that he advocates. And most of America is gagging on Trump's political correctness.
This is Trump's political correctness that he advocates. And most of America is gagging on Trump's political correctness.
27
>Given the backlash against liberals
What "backlash against liberals"?
Be specific in your examples.
And then explain why the spectacular, public disarray of your party, to the extent it is likely to permanently split into polar-opposite factions, is in a "safe place."
I cannot wait to hear how that works.
What "backlash against liberals"?
Be specific in your examples.
And then explain why the spectacular, public disarray of your party, to the extent it is likely to permanently split into polar-opposite factions, is in a "safe place."
I cannot wait to hear how that works.
17
Did a Republican strategist, in commenting about the N.C. bathroom law, really say “There’s a basic expectation of privacy that everyone has"?
I guess that's unless your transgender, and then the state will ask you to open your drawers. And Roe v. Wade is nothing if it's not about the privacy between a woman and her doctor to not have the government mandate the proper role of her womb.
The disconnect is breathtaking.
I guess that's unless your transgender, and then the state will ask you to open your drawers. And Roe v. Wade is nothing if it's not about the privacy between a woman and her doctor to not have the government mandate the proper role of her womb.
The disconnect is breathtaking.
273
Breathtaking and typical.
5
CherylK - “There’s a basic expectation of privacy that everyone has"?
There are people who would find it very difficult to use a unisex bathroom through no fault of their own, they were born that way. But you find their feelings to be inconsequential don't you? If they don't think and feel exactly like you do they don't count, should have nothing to say and must be marginalized, right? Everyone must march to your beat, right?
There are people who would find it very difficult to use a unisex bathroom through no fault of their own, they were born that way. But you find their feelings to be inconsequential don't you? If they don't think and feel exactly like you do they don't count, should have nothing to say and must be marginalized, right? Everyone must march to your beat, right?
2
Tired of Hypocrisy - There's an easy solution for that, find another bathroom.
2
I live in NC and I called my representative and senator in the state legislature about the now-infamous House Bill 2 yesterday. The representative's assistant was very sheepish to tell me that he had voted FOR the bill. The senator's assistant, however, was very argumentative with me about it. She acted like the bill was nothing more than common sense, who wouldn't want these "protections?"
Of note, this senator is an active member of Abundant Life Outreach Church in his home community.
My conclusion: these people live on the dark side of the moon. There is no way to communicate the reasons that I have to be upset about the bill, the person on the other end of the line is wholly unable to appreciate them, indeed, is unable to understand why I was not appreciative of what the good people of the NC Legislature had done for us!
Of note, this senator is an active member of Abundant Life Outreach Church in his home community.
My conclusion: these people live on the dark side of the moon. There is no way to communicate the reasons that I have to be upset about the bill, the person on the other end of the line is wholly unable to appreciate them, indeed, is unable to understand why I was not appreciative of what the good people of the NC Legislature had done for us!
188
Bear in mind that it cancelled a minimum wage hike as well. That's the tactic bundle "values-voter" sentiment with the ALEC-Plutocratic agenda of profits before people, pollution over drinkable water and breathable air. Because, free markets.
4
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Koch Sedition, Propaganda & Pollution is buying our governments, we are baking the planet into unlivability, our bridges and roads are crumbling, inequality is widening, there are rats and leaded water in our schools, our money is going to perpetual war and the republicans are basing their campaign around the ammosexuals, the racists, the homophobes and proposing to chain American women into reproductive slavery.
256
When politicians don't have any real ideas about how to improve society, they spend their time focused on matters that usually make it more challenging for women, the poor and the LGBTQ community, to live their lives. It's a shame more people don't believe that voting is as important as it really is.
12
The stalls in a women's restroom must be different from those in a man's. I have no idea who is sitting next to me when I use one.
76
I'm a woman and I've never given any thought to who was in the stall next to me.
I bitterly resent these idiot politicians who think I need protecting while I'm in the ladies room but who are just fine with the proliferation of guns.
I bitterly resent these idiot politicians who think I need protecting while I'm in the ladies room but who are just fine with the proliferation of guns.
220
It will be your God-given, government mandated duty to find out. And to do something about it.
17
I don't care, either, as long as the seat is put down.
14
More results of the massive gerrymandering of state legislative districts, not necessarily reflective of statewide political views. Republicans will continue to flog the abortion issue until it no longer functions as one of their "wedge" issues that move low-to-middle income people to vote against their own economic interests.
139
The GOPer Bubble bursts.
Actually for the rank and file Repubs it's going to more like a category 5 wind storm when the 'stuff' hits their fans. It's a big pile of 'stuff', it's been accumulating for over 40 years, or more. I'd advise them to close their mouths and eyes and hold their noses.
Couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch.
Actually for the rank and file Repubs it's going to more like a category 5 wind storm when the 'stuff' hits their fans. It's a big pile of 'stuff', it's been accumulating for over 40 years, or more. I'd advise them to close their mouths and eyes and hold their noses.
Couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch.
110
The GOP - the party of doom and gloom....aren't these the same people that want "limited government?" And yet they want to interfere in women's reproductive rights, want to tell people who they can and cannot marry, want to "regulate" public bathrooms (which in my opinion is the new low for these clowns). They're despicable hypocrites. And they have the gall to call themselves "christian."
342
The "limited government" thing is a total farce. They want limited *federal* government so they can pull strings at the state and local level where (they hope) they can get away with their racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, jingoistic, nationalistic agenda of general hatred.
45
The party that loves "freedom" also will not let me travel to or do business in Cuba.
11
I agree, Susan, but the GOP isn't all negative. Shouldn't they get some credit for trying to raise the number of deaths from guns?
(So truly tragic....)
(So truly tragic....)
Abortion access, gun rights, and the ability to discriminate do absolutely nothing for job growth or fixing our crumbling infrastructure, two things pretty much everyone can agree needs to be addressed. Republicans just keep throwing people bones because they can't face or deal with pressing issues we all share.
257
The bones they throw are the kind we all choke on.
4
I can't tell you how happy I am to live in California. This stuff will never happen here for a reason. We won't vote for these kind of people. Thank you Governor Brown for keeping us safe from this sort of nonsense.
280
bravo, from a yankee
7
Amen!
9
Likewise Vermont which often feels like an oasis of sanity in a world gone mad.
8
Speaking of the facts, be aware that the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM v. I-III) all hold that "gender identity disorder" is a mental disorder with a cure: reparative therapy. Only with the GLBT's lobbyists' aggressive political pressure did a backroom vote of the APA in 1973 make "transsexuality OK," one of the GLBT doctors said at the time, "It no longer matters what your body looks like, what you want to do to it, all of that is irrelevant as far as the APA goes." Thus Politics, not science has driven the APA's position on human sexuality ever since: a secular, atheistic worldview that places an emphasis upon "self realization" and being "non judgemental."