What is it about people with "strong religious beliefs" that find it so impertinent to inflict their beliefs on others, even if said beliefs are actually contrary to the teachings of their religion and are no better than impractical dogma?
Arizona is dealing with just such a situation. There, Governor Jan Brewer is weighing in on whether or not she will veto SB 1062- a law deemed by liberals as the Turn The Gays Away law.
The language is minimal, but it does allow businesses to turn anyone away based on the owner's religion. So while gay people feel they could be the brunt of it all, this could mean Muslims against Jews, Catholics against unwed couples or single mothers, or any other religious group denying someone something based solely on the excuse of religion as a veil.
I find it interesting that the conservatives that backed this law are now backing away from it due to all the backlash. This law, and their blind support of it, is why I will never, ever vote for a republican. The day they stay out of our bedrooms and go to the core of their beliefs is the day I quit voting green or independent and will actually consider voting for one of these yahoos.
Because the tide of American politics is changing:
Just today, a judge ruled in San Antonio that Texas' marriage ban is unconstitutional. This is huge because Texas is the US's largest conservative backed state. Governor Rick Perry and Texas Attorney General Abott have already sworn to appeal the ruling. Statistically, this will probably prove to hurt Abbott when he runs for governor against Democratic challenger and filibustering, pink shoe wearing Wendy Davis.
In Florida, Charlie Christ, the once republican governor running two decades later as a democrat candidate for the state's highest office, has applauded the judge's decision in Texas.
While his opponent, current Floridian Governor Rick Scott, not only supports marriage bans in his state and others, he said just today I an interview that he "hadn't heard of Arizona's SB 1062" so he couldn't talk about it.
What kind of leadership hasn't been informed of one of the top 3 news stories all week? And what kind of governor cannot see the writing on the wall that eventually this country will have full triage equality that does nothing to harm religious rights?
Taking a stance contrary to what the majority of Americans think and feel and what 80% of young people feel is right will prove to hurt Scott, Abbott, and even Brewer if she doesn't veto the bill.
Republican and conservatives need to realize this is a losing, uphill battle that the Democrats are using to show fracturing in the conservative party and to illustrate to the American people that conservatives aren't listening to the tide of change in this country- nor to what the majority wishes.
Though I am all for checks and balances, I worry the Repubs will continue to shoot themselves in the foot with this issue and will only help uber liberals take control of the government.
The political landscape is changing. But the Republicans seem to be the ones leaving themselves out standing in the rain, and wondering how they got there in the first place, when they were the ones who refused to bring umbrellas despite everyone informing them of the forecast ahead of time.
