Political historian Rob Christensen reminds us that the last time Republicans had control of the General Assembly in Raleigh, they "raised taxes on railroads and other businesses and increased spending on schools." That was the Republican Party of progressive ideas. This year, a wholly different animal is slouching toward Raleigh to be born.Christensen projects the likely legislative initiatives we can expect from our new over-lords:
1. "Eliminating the cap on the number of charter schools permitted in the state." Chip-chip-chipping away at the whole concept of free and public education.
2. "Banning government use of eminent domain for economic development projects." We can agree on banning property grabs that are turned over to private developers, but the real target here is the strangling of cities and land-use planning.
3. "Requiring photo IDs to vote." Ah! Voter suppression could not be far behind the suppression of public education.
4. "Challenging the new federal health care overhaul." Because Blue Cross of N.C. is doing such a superb job already gouging the state.
5. "Perhaps a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages." "Perhaps," Mr. Christensen? Surely you jest. There's no way under God's blue sky this bunch won't attempt to legislate whom you love, and how, and for how long.
Left off Mr. Christensen's list is just how Art Pope intends to get his pay-back out of this General Assembly ... the lifting of corporate taxes. And regulations. Don't forget regulations.
Don't forget regulations* Story about King Art's Republican Paradise
ReplyDeleteAnd don't forget expanding the Prison Industrial Complex to house all those Gays and Communists from Chapel Hill......." No Republican sleeps while the Gays are at the Gates of Raleigh" * Civtia Foundation reverse perverted Pope history
Yes, as Christensen says, that was a different Republican Party 100+ years ago. The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was passed in 1890 under Republican Benjamin Harrison, but it wasn't really enforced until the administration of Teddy Roosevelt a few years later.
ReplyDeleteTeddy, where are you now that we need you?
Teddy, where are you now that we need you?
ReplyDeleteDead and in Hell, pumping thunder at 2 cents a clap. Good riddance to a Republican progressive.
1. "Eliminating the cap on the number of charter schools permitted in the state." Chip-chip-chipping away at the whole concept of free and public education.
ReplyDeleteEver been to Watauga's charter school? It's "Free and Public Education," and it's come a long way since it started in 2005. Or was that code for "chipping away at teachers' union strangleholds on creative thinking to improve our childrens' education?"
Christensen is Art Pope's BFF, author of "Knight of the Right" and the "Equalizer." He and the N&O have done more to legitimize the Puppetmaster than anyone in the state.
ReplyDelete