The Republicans regained control of the Indiana General Assembly by campaigning heavily on unemployment/jobs. They have been in session for slightly more than a month. These are the subjects of the primary bills that have advanced so far:
- A bill to write an amendment to the state constitution that defines marriage to prohibit same sex marriages and civil unions, AND goes so far as to prohibit private companies from offering domestic partner benefits.
- A bill to promote charter schools that some say will decimate the public education system and encourage enrollment in parochial schools.
- A bill to make it illegal for an employer to ask his/her employees if they have guns at the workplace.
- A bill requiring all doctors to tell, in writing and verbally, all women seeking abortions that “life begins at conception,” whether said doctors believe this or not.
- An Arizona-like bill that would allow police to demand proof of citizenship from immigrants.
How many bills have advanced about jobs? ZERO.
Do you want to know my feelings on the anti-gay marriage bill? You’ll be surprised. I have no feelings about it. This is the fourth time a bill like this has been introduced since I’ve lived in this state. On the previous occasions, I have been on the front lines keeping it from passing. I have stood in the snow at statehouse rallies; I have canvassed neighborhoods talking to businesses about why this kind of legislation would hurt them; I have pulled out my checkbook time and again at fundraisers and events; I have called my representatives; taken time off of work to personally visit my representatives; and rallied my friends over and over to do the same. I’m done. This debate is going to be going on in this state until a) we are all long dead, b) national legislation or the U.S. Supreme Court acts on the federal level, or c) the Republican party gets its way.
As for the other pieces of legislation? In a sick and twisted way, this is all helping me. You’re aware that Jay and I have had a plan to eventually move on in search of a bigger city with more opportunities for artists. But now? I can’t get out of this state fast enough. Thanks to the bigoted douche bags in charge, who think that guns and the Bible will solve every problem and homosexuals, the brown people, and a well-educated populace are enemies number one, two, and three, Jay and I have a renewed fire under our collective asses. It’s like all the reasons we’ve talked about moving are amplified, or being thrown in our faces.
I want to be a resident of another state by mid-summer at the absolute latest. And we have moved into a much more aggressive phase of making this happen, which involves a new realtor (to be selected next week, after interviews), new job opportunities, and a much more focused plan. By luck and coincidence, it appears that we’re taking four of our best friends with us. And while I’ve never been an “abandon ship” kind of person (you can live anywhere you choose, and my decision to leave is not a personal reflection on you), I don’t think this would be the right time for any like-minded person to come to me seeking reasons to stay in Indiana. For a state that’s been worried about “brain drain” in the past, I’m afraid we haven’t seen anything, yet.
Okay, I’m done ranting. It’s been a long time since I’ve written a political diatribe like this. I almost feel the need to apologize for it. I’ll do my best to get back to my usual posting material tomorrow.
#1 by Anonymous on February 10, 2011 - 3:07 pm
back asswards douche bags!
#2 by Doug Peters on February 10, 2011 - 3:23 pm
You have NO REASON to apologize.
As always, you are well spoken to the point and make me envious we are no on a fast track with you. We look forward to visiting!
#3 by wanderingbella on February 10, 2011 - 3:25 pm
Don't also forget the bill that would require couples applying for a marriage license to either pay higher fees or attend mandatory pre-marriage counseling. The Indiana Republicans wasted no time in advancing their Draconian and socially stifling agenda – might I add ignoring directives from their GOP governor on everything except education. I know our people aren't Mitch fans generally, but he's never governed on social issues. While he is not pro certain things, he has kept the issues out of the legislature until now. If they run religious nutbag Pence against yet another uncompelling Dem candidate, we will all be longing for the days of My Man Mitch.
My larger fear to be honest is not about Indiana or other states. This exact same tune is being replicated at the Federal level. Republicans took control of the House running on campaigns to create jobs and reduce debt, and yet they are spending time and taxpayer dollars on social issues. I'm also disheartened when I see what are largely considered progressive states like CA or MA passing socially discriminatory legislation. The sharks smell blood I'm afraid.
So my question is not do I move out of Indiana – it's do I move out of the country.
And don't apologize for your views. Ever.
katie
#4 by Mikael on February 10, 2011 - 3:28 pm
I understand why you feel the way you do about the anti-gay marriage bill. I really do. It must be exhausting. I can't help feel a little sad though when good folks give up the fight.
No judgment, just the unfortunate reality of a situation where persistent a-holes can wear one the fuck out.
#5 by homer on February 10, 2011 - 3:35 pm
The exact same thing is happening in Arizona- abortion, guns, and other nonsense. Nothing to help create jobs. Basically, Republicans don't have any ideas.
#6 by Scott Barnes on February 10, 2011 - 3:45 pm
I get what you're saying, Katie. In the debate about whether Mitch Daniels will run for president, all I can say is that while I am not a fan, he looks like a member of mensa compared to some of the other prospective candidates. And he is not a strong social conservative.
And yes, any time the thought of Sarah Palin becoming president enters my head, it's immediately followed by this question: Toronto, London, or Paris?
And Mikael: I get what you're saying. One thing I left out is that it doesn't exactly feel good about becoming apolitical on an issue I used to feel so strongly about. I think it's more about picking your battles. This one's lost, for now (the battle, not the war). For the time being, my energy is better spent elsewhere.
#7 by Chad Sievers on February 10, 2011 - 4:15 pm
I feel your frustration. Republicans continue to feed people with scare tactics to get elected and the public blindly eats them. We definitely deserve our government in this state.
#8 by wanderingbella on February 10, 2011 - 4:18 pm
The thing about Mitch is he is a business person who believes that religious and social views should not be grounds upon which to legislate which I can appreciate because I don't see a truce forming on those issues anytime soon in conservative states. With the exception of the education crap, his GOP legislature has largely ignored his directives thus far.
The only upside to any of this is (and I think time will tell for sure) but I'm not sure the American voting public is all that pleased with what the newly elected GOP reps are doing which will help keep Obama in office in 2012. And Palin continues to alientate people in her own party, too.
RE: gay marriage it's my personal opinion that individual states will continue down their current paths and eventually the issue will get tossed to the high courts at the state level and then ultimately the federal Supreme Court. The Libertarians want to make this (and everything else) a state-level issue but when it comes to Constitutional rights, it eventually has to get solved at a federal level. There have been numerous points in the past where the Supreme Court has been the factor in protecting the rights of citizens and I feel for this issue in particular, it will ultimately come to that point. As frustrated as I am on behalf of my GLBT friends and family and at the crazy religious idiots in this country, I really have to continue to remember there were times in the past when woman could not vote, there was a pre R v.W time, and when African-Americans were not permitted the same rights as other citizens. It took time and brave people, but the right decisions were eventually made. Which gives me hope.
#9 by Melody on February 10, 2011 - 4:21 pm
Scott– rising to take your place on the gay marriage front. I care more than I ever have before this time, and I think its because now I have a kid to explain to. I have to somehow be able to explain to her why her family is not as good as other families and why her parental figures have fewer rights. This time I'm talking to every straight person I know about this issue and finding that, inexplicably, they have no idea its going on or that it effects me as it does. If the legislature would leave it alone, since there's already a law on the books that covers it, I probably wouldn't be so upset. The fact that they want to write my 2nd class citizen status into the governing documents of our state both enrages and embarrasses me. I want to leave but feel like I can't because my and my child's support network is here. So I want that support network to know what they're doing to us.
I haven't been this sick to my stomach every time I turn on the radio or read a news feed since the first months of W's 1st presidency.
And you're right– suddenly Mitch feels like a MENSA member compared to people like Micah Clark and Reps. Eric Turner, David Cheatham, and Cindy Noe. How did that happen?
#10 by wanderingbella on February 10, 2011 - 4:49 pm
I've said this before and I will say it again. The Indiana dems need to get their collective shite together and find some compelling candidates to run against these conservative idiots both at rep and senator level and governor. I am really scared for 2012 because there is a good chance someone like Pence can and will get elected to replace Mitch and then we really will not have any balance and Pence will use the GOP majority to legislate from the pulpit so to speak s he has repeatedly stated he will do. We've also got a really conservative candidate Mourdock who has announced his intention to run against Lugar in the primary. Lugar is a moderate for all intents and purposes and while normally I would not be concerned that he could lose the primary, there is a shift happening where people want these really extreme conservatives elected and Mourdock fits the bill and is already mouting a campaign against Lugar basically calling him out for not being Republican enough…In the current situation, I'll take a moderate Republican if there is no chance the Dem candidate can win.
I'm in Mel with you on the fight. I have felt kind of ok with the direction Indiana has gone for the last 4 years. Not anymore.
#11 by Anonymous on February 10, 2011 - 6:15 pm
Being overseas, I am enjoying being away from all the political BS right now. I know I will have to face the music when I return.
Chris