"We" the People?

Polarized.  Politicized.  Self-serving?  Special interest?  Public interest?  Lack of interest?


What in the wide, wide world of sports is going on at our state legislatures?  Lawmakers across the nation are debating on and voting on issues that are drawing the ire of their constituents, and it doesn't seem to bother them one bit.  Now, just because citizens disagree or protest does not mean legislators should immediately change course, but they should at least pause and listen.  We have some real problems that need real, and often, painful solutions so we can all move forward.  Still, some of our lawmakers seem totally out of touch with the will of the people.


Front and center in the "us versus them" fight is Wisconsin.  Facing a significant budget deficit, the Republican-led legislature voted to roll back pay, benefits and bargaining rights for government and state workers.  Democratic Senators protested, but not in person.  Rather than digging in for a fight, they made what proved to be an unsuccessful run for the Illinois border.  Governor Scott Walker eventually signed the budget-cutting, union-rights-stripping measure into law.  Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio and other states have similar proposals before them.  Seeing how unions are the largest contributors to the Democratic Party, this should set up the 2012 presidential election to be a real dandy.

Utah lawmakers just wrapped up one of their most contentious 45 day sessions ever by passing a bill limiting public access to public records.  Huh?  So much for transparency. Governor Gary Herbert quickly signed it into law meaning lawmakers can shield their voicemail, text and instant messages, and possibly even their emails, from the public.  “With one scribble of a pen, the governor made his state the most secretive in the nation, as well as more backward than most countries, including Mexico and Albania,” said David Cuillier of the Utah Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.  Citizens protested, but the new law stands.

 

Tom Luna (on left)

In Idaho, lawmakers considered a measure to eliminate 770 teacher positions over two years to generate millions of dollars in savings toward technology boosts like providing laptop computers for every high school student.  Yeah, like that makes a lot of sense--increase class sizes and cut teachers for the sake of "technology."  Luckily, that eventually got voted down but legislators did pass a bill that removes seniority and collective bargaining for teachers.  Idaho State Superintendent Tom Luna called it "a great step forward."  My brother, a teacher himself, called it "the beginning of the end of education in Idaho as we know it."  Aren't superintendents supposed to support their teachers?  Apparently, there's now a movement underway in Idaho to get Luna recalled.


Governor Rick Snyder

In Michigan, lawmakers are on the verge of approving a bill giving the governor power to appoint "emergency managers" to take over towns or school districts the state deems in financial distress.  In other words, these managers could declare an emergency and then swoop in to fire local elected officials, break contracts, seize and sell assets and eliminate services without any public input.  Republican Governor Rick Snyder says if it passes, he'll sign it into law.  Wow, this sounds like something more fitting out of Leningrad instead of Lansing.




Montana is not immune to proposals many deem bizarre.  One of them called for the formation of a committee, to nullify all federal laws.  I know some Montanans don't like medical marijuana or wolf laws, but nullifying all federal law?  My personal favorite is legalizing hunting with a hand-thrown spear.  So how does that work exactly?  First, you first throw a spear at an elk or deer or bear, then you jump on its back with your knife drawn and hang on like it's a bucking bronco until you can finish the kill?  I'm even a hunter but that's too weird.  Another House bill would give every Monana town the right to create its own fully-armed militia.  Now there's a great idea.  I can hear the conversation now, "Man I can't believe Drummond High beat us in football again.  Let's take the boys from the town militia over to their football field and hold target practice on their scoreboard."  Another proposal would eliminate a law that requires landlords to install carbon monoxide detectors.  And the reasoning for that is...what?  



Courtesy Great Falls Tribune

 Democratic Governor Brian Schweitzer, ever the "show man,"  is anything but thrilled with the the Republican-controlled legislature.  The proposals, among other things, prompted him to pay $100 to the Montana Department of Livestock to register the "veto" brand, which he proudly displays in his office.  (Wonder if he'll ever actually use it on his political rivals?  That would be some great video.) 

While I'm on my soapbox, why don't you legislators put your spears down and do something about our crummy DUI laws?  They're weak, ineffective and do nothing to deter drinking and driving. 

The "We" in "We the People" means everyday citizens like you and I.  We need our elected lawmakers to represent us to enforce meaningful, effective and common sense law. 

Agree or disagree with the legislative wackiness across the country, at least Americans are paying attention.  And as far as the political process goes, that can only be a good thing, right?