A new attack on voting rights is in the works in North Carolina. State Representative Bill Cook (R) has introduced a bill that will effectively raise state income tax rates for parents of college students who live on campus and register to vote there.
The bill reads, in part: "If the voter is (claimed as) a dependent...and the voter has registered at an address other than that of the parent or legal guardian, the parent or legal guardian will not be allowed to claim the voter as a dependent for state income tax purposes."
Given the sacrifices families make to pay for their child's college education and the amount of money that a college education costs these days, can anyone possibly believe a college student is not a dependent? This bill is nothing but a thinly veiled attempt to intimidate young voters, who largely vote Democrat, into not registering to vote. Just another shady way of keeping Democratic voters from the polls and tweaking the voting population to favor the Republican Party.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Friday, April 5, 2013
Quick Fact Digest: Is the Republican Party Becoming the Party of Anarchy?
Recently, we have seen one Republican run state after another pass anti-abortion laws that clearly run counter to the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision. Flush with their flaunting of federal abortion law, some of these same states have decided to take on other aspects of the U.S. Constitution.
Mississippi - The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that powers not specifically reserved for the federal government are reserved for the states. Mississippi has decided to push the "not specifically reserved" envelope and is making plans to justify that the state of Mississippi should be left alone to decide which federal laws they'll follow and which ones they'll ignore.
Republican state Representatives Gary Chism and Jeff Smith have filed a bill designed to form a Joint Legislative Committee on the Neutralization of Federal Laws. They have the support of Governor Phil Bryant (R) who recently asked state legislators to find ways to block enforcement of any gun reform that originates with President Obama. The Central Mississippi Tea Party, which has expressed the desire for state lawmakers to "re-establish limited federal involvement in Mississippi" has also expressed support for Mr. Chism's and Mr. Smith's efforts.
Matt Steffey, a professor of constitutional law at Mississippi College had this to say: "It is hard to imagine a less productive use of time by key legislative officials than to pursue that which they have no power to pursue".
State Representative Steve Holland (D) said "It's awful. It is wrongheaded...It is political fodder for the right and borderline stupid".
My vote goes to Mr. Steffey and Mr. Holland on this one.
North Carolina - The United States of America is a country built on the separation of church and state; but North Carolina would like to make an exception for itself.
State Representatives Carl Ford (R) and Harry Warren (R) are sponsoring a bill that has been introduced to North Carolina's General Assembly that would allow the fine state of North Carolina to adopt an official, state religion.
The proposed law claims that the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution--the one prohibiting Congress from passing laws in respect to establishing religions or prohibiting the exercise of religion in the U.S.--does not apply to states.
I guess North Carolina plans on joining Mississippi in ignoring the Tenth Amendment too.
And then there's Montana - where the state legislature wanted to ban any law prohibiting assault weapons. Yes, that's right. They wanted to pass a law that would specifically ban another law. Their own Department of Justice had to point out to these geniuses that you really can't pass a law banning another law--especially one that doesn't exist.
If the U.S. Congress ever manages to pass an assault weapon ban, Montana can join North Carolina and Mississippi in boycotting the U.S. Constitution.
Mississippi - The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that powers not specifically reserved for the federal government are reserved for the states. Mississippi has decided to push the "not specifically reserved" envelope and is making plans to justify that the state of Mississippi should be left alone to decide which federal laws they'll follow and which ones they'll ignore.
Republican state Representatives Gary Chism and Jeff Smith have filed a bill designed to form a Joint Legislative Committee on the Neutralization of Federal Laws. They have the support of Governor Phil Bryant (R) who recently asked state legislators to find ways to block enforcement of any gun reform that originates with President Obama. The Central Mississippi Tea Party, which has expressed the desire for state lawmakers to "re-establish limited federal involvement in Mississippi" has also expressed support for Mr. Chism's and Mr. Smith's efforts.
Matt Steffey, a professor of constitutional law at Mississippi College had this to say: "It is hard to imagine a less productive use of time by key legislative officials than to pursue that which they have no power to pursue".
State Representative Steve Holland (D) said "It's awful. It is wrongheaded...It is political fodder for the right and borderline stupid".
My vote goes to Mr. Steffey and Mr. Holland on this one.
North Carolina - The United States of America is a country built on the separation of church and state; but North Carolina would like to make an exception for itself.
State Representatives Carl Ford (R) and Harry Warren (R) are sponsoring a bill that has been introduced to North Carolina's General Assembly that would allow the fine state of North Carolina to adopt an official, state religion.
The proposed law claims that the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution--the one prohibiting Congress from passing laws in respect to establishing religions or prohibiting the exercise of religion in the U.S.--does not apply to states.
I guess North Carolina plans on joining Mississippi in ignoring the Tenth Amendment too.
And then there's Montana - where the state legislature wanted to ban any law prohibiting assault weapons. Yes, that's right. They wanted to pass a law that would specifically ban another law. Their own Department of Justice had to point out to these geniuses that you really can't pass a law banning another law--especially one that doesn't exist.
If the U.S. Congress ever manages to pass an assault weapon ban, Montana can join North Carolina and Mississippi in boycotting the U.S. Constitution.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Connecticut and Maryland Pass New Gun Laws
Connecticut
On Thursday, April 4, Governor Dannel Malloy (D) signed his state's new gun regulations into law.
Beginning on July 1, 2013:
On Thursday, April 4, Governor Dannel Malloy (D) signed his state's new gun regulations into law.
Beginning on July 1, 2013:
- Anyone wishing to purchase a rifle, shotgun or ammunition will first need to obtain a state issued eligibility certificate.
- Anyone wanting a state issued eligibility certificate will be required to complete a gun safety course, submit to fingerprinting and have their identity compared against a national criminal data base.
- Anyone convicted of any one of 40 weapons violations must register with the state.
- Background checks will be completed for all gun purchases, including gun shows and private sales.
- One hundred additional weapons have been added to the already existing list of banned assault type weapons. Anyone already owning a newly banned weapon will be permitted to keep it, but must register it with the state.
- Magazine size will be capped at 10 rounds. Anyone who owns a larger magazine will be restricted to loading only 10 rounds except at a shooting range.
- Anyone who owns larger magazines may keep them, but must register them with the state.
Maryland
Maryland's new gun regulations have passed both the state House and the state Senate. Governor Martin O'Malley (D) is ready to sign the bill when it gets to his desk.
Beginning October 1, 2013
- Magazine capacity is limited to 10 rounds.
- All gun buyers will be fingerprinted and licensed to purchase.
- New limits are set on gun purchases by the mentally ill.
- More than 40 types of existing assault rifles, including all models of the AR-15 are banned.
what eye thynk:
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S
to C O N N E C T I C U T and M A R Y L A N D !!!
(and thank you.)
Eye Recommend --- Tennessee's Nutty New Primary Plan
TENNESSEE'S NUTTY NEW PRIMARY PLAN, by Steve Benen -- http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/04/03/17585534-tennessees-nutty-new-senate-primary-plan?lite
Looks like their new, restrictive voter I.D. law didn't go far enough for the Republicans in Tennessee. Now they want to stop people voting at all--at least in their primaries.
"Tennessee state Sen. Frank Nicely, a Republican from Strawberry Plains, has introduced S.B. 471, which would, beginning in 2016, eliminate party primaries for the U.S. Senate in Tennessee. Members of the state Legislature would instead select the nominees...
...In Washington, as in state legislatures around the country, we often see goofy bills and resolutions introduced, but most thankfully die without any action being taken. But what really got my attention was the news that the Tennessee Senate's State and Local Government Committee voted 7-1 last week to advance the bill...
...Does this plan have any chance of actually passing? The Republican leader of the Tennessee Senate said last week, 'If you'd asked me that in January, I'd have said no,' Ramsey told reporters this week. 'If you ask me now, I think it's at least 50/50.'"
Because, really, who needs those pesky citizens getting involved in their own government? Who needs democracy when the feudal system worked so well for centuries? Good grief!
Looks like their new, restrictive voter I.D. law didn't go far enough for the Republicans in Tennessee. Now they want to stop people voting at all--at least in their primaries.
"Tennessee state Sen. Frank Nicely, a Republican from Strawberry Plains, has introduced S.B. 471, which would, beginning in 2016, eliminate party primaries for the U.S. Senate in Tennessee. Members of the state Legislature would instead select the nominees...
...In Washington, as in state legislatures around the country, we often see goofy bills and resolutions introduced, but most thankfully die without any action being taken. But what really got my attention was the news that the Tennessee Senate's State and Local Government Committee voted 7-1 last week to advance the bill...
...Does this plan have any chance of actually passing? The Republican leader of the Tennessee Senate said last week, 'If you'd asked me that in January, I'd have said no,' Ramsey told reporters this week. 'If you ask me now, I think it's at least 50/50.'"
Because, really, who needs those pesky citizens getting involved in their own government? Who needs democracy when the feudal system worked so well for centuries? Good grief!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Republicans Bought and Paid For By the NRA Refuse to Cross the Bridge of Common Sense
The Senate's bi-partisan committee studying gun regulations has submitted their bills to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid who will now decide which bills to present to the Senate for a vote.
Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) were both quoted over the past weekend as saying that universal background checks, which have overwhelming citizen support--even from gun owning members of the NRA, are "a bridge too far for most of us".
When Mr. Graham was asked if he thought the universal background requirement could pass the full Senate, he replied, "I don't think so. I don't think it makes any sense. The current system is broken. Fix the current system."
what eye thynk: The latest polls show that 80-90% of the people--including gun owners--support universal background checks. These statistics have been widely reported and commented on, but the NRA funded Republican Party Talking Heads continue to act as though the polls say just the opposite. "A bridge too far for most of us". Who is this "us"? Can Mr. Graham or Mr. Flake offer any proof that their invisible "us" exists?
Mr. Flake, in his Meet the Press interview on Sunday, went on to say that "The paperwork requirements alone would be significant". To that, any person possessed of a modicum of common sense would say "So what?". Ask any Sandy Hook parent who lost a child last December if they think their child's life was spent wisely in the all important fight to avoid paperwork.
Asa Hutchinson, former Republican congressman from Arkansas was recently chosen to head an NRA funded, "independent" review of school safety standards. Not surprisingly, when the results were announced last Tuesday, the study called for gun toting guards and voluntarily armed teachers in every school and on every campus in the U.S. The report did not address the mass attacks we saw last year in a shopping mall and in a movie theater. Will the next "independent" NRA study call for armed clerks at Macy's perfume counter? Will it be recommended that every Starbucks barista have access to a company Bushmaster? Will the kid who sells you your Regal Cinema popcorn be required to have a rifle hidden under the Milk Duds?
Senator Graham is right about one thing--the current system is broken. But Mr. Graham's Republican/NRA position that more guns is the answer just goes against all logic. If South Carolina found it had too many alligators, would Mr. Graham suggest solving the problem by importing more alligator eggs?
We have to start somewhere; and universal background checks are a good first step--whether Lindsey Graham thinks they make sense or not.
Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) were both quoted over the past weekend as saying that universal background checks, which have overwhelming citizen support--even from gun owning members of the NRA, are "a bridge too far for most of us".
When Mr. Graham was asked if he thought the universal background requirement could pass the full Senate, he replied, "I don't think so. I don't think it makes any sense. The current system is broken. Fix the current system."
what eye thynk: The latest polls show that 80-90% of the people--including gun owners--support universal background checks. These statistics have been widely reported and commented on, but the NRA funded Republican Party Talking Heads continue to act as though the polls say just the opposite. "A bridge too far for most of us". Who is this "us"? Can Mr. Graham or Mr. Flake offer any proof that their invisible "us" exists?
Mr. Flake, in his Meet the Press interview on Sunday, went on to say that "The paperwork requirements alone would be significant". To that, any person possessed of a modicum of common sense would say "So what?". Ask any Sandy Hook parent who lost a child last December if they think their child's life was spent wisely in the all important fight to avoid paperwork.
Asa Hutchinson, former Republican congressman from Arkansas was recently chosen to head an NRA funded, "independent" review of school safety standards. Not surprisingly, when the results were announced last Tuesday, the study called for gun toting guards and voluntarily armed teachers in every school and on every campus in the U.S. The report did not address the mass attacks we saw last year in a shopping mall and in a movie theater. Will the next "independent" NRA study call for armed clerks at Macy's perfume counter? Will it be recommended that every Starbucks barista have access to a company Bushmaster? Will the kid who sells you your Regal Cinema popcorn be required to have a rifle hidden under the Milk Duds?
Senator Graham is right about one thing--the current system is broken. But Mr. Graham's Republican/NRA position that more guns is the answer just goes against all logic. If South Carolina found it had too many alligators, would Mr. Graham suggest solving the problem by importing more alligator eggs?
We have to start somewhere; and universal background checks are a good first step--whether Lindsey Graham thinks they make sense or not.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Quick Fact: Georgia G.O.P. Warns that Straight People are Going to Pretend to be Gay So They Can Get Married Too.
I read this yesterday and thought it was an April Fool's Day joke; but, nope, this G.O.P. leader is serious.
Sue Everhart, Georgia G.O.P. Chairwoman, in an interview with the Marietta Daily Journal on Saturday: "You may be straight as an arrow, and you may have a friend that is as straight as an arrow. Say you had a great job with the government where you had this wonderful health plan. I mean, what would prohibit you from saying that you're gay, and y'all get married and still live as separate, but you get all the benefits? I just see so much abuse in this it's unreal. I believe a husband and a wife should be a man and a woman, the benefits should be for a man and a woman. There is no way this is about equality. To me, it's all about a free ride."
I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
Sue Everhart, Georgia G.O.P. Chairwoman, in an interview with the Marietta Daily Journal on Saturday: "You may be straight as an arrow, and you may have a friend that is as straight as an arrow. Say you had a great job with the government where you had this wonderful health plan. I mean, what would prohibit you from saying that you're gay, and y'all get married and still live as separate, but you get all the benefits? I just see so much abuse in this it's unreal. I believe a husband and a wife should be a man and a woman, the benefits should be for a man and a woman. There is no way this is about equality. To me, it's all about a free ride."
I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
Monday, April 1, 2013
April 1 - Monday Quote
During last week's Supreme Court hearings on DOMA, Justice Scalia said that there was no conclusive opinion on the effects of same-sex child-rearing and Justice Alito asserted that gay marriage is newer than cellphones and the Internet and perhaps the court would be hasty to make a decision before the ramifications of same-sex marriage were known and analyzed.
Jon Stewart had a simple, to the point response.
monday quote: You don't have to beta test rights. (Jon Stewart, political satirist, 1962- )
Jon Stewart had a simple, to the point response.
monday quote: You don't have to beta test rights. (Jon Stewart, political satirist, 1962- )
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