It’s no secret, of course, that many on the right feel that lawyers are the root of all evil. And perhaps on some days that thought may cross the minds of others. But for the most part, all that Republican spewage over tort reform is just another way for them to feed the coffers of big corporations while screwing the hapless customer, employee or other unfortunates.
What does the Republican-controlled Wisconsin State Assembly suggest? Why, eliminate all state funding for the University of Wisconsin Law School, of course! And how about taking away funding for legal aid. But let's also make a few laws to help our own selves.
Those kooky Republicans. Can you even say you're surprised?
More past the jump…
MADISON, Wis. - A lawmaker who persuaded the Assembly to eliminate all state funding for the University of Wisconsin law school says his reasoning is simple: There's too many lawyers in Wisconsin.
"We don't need more ambulance chasers. We don't need frivolous lawsuits. And we don't need attorneys making people's lives miserable when they go to family court for divorces," said Rep. Frank Lasee, R-Green Bay. "And I think that having too many attorneys leads to all those bad results." (link to AP story)
Granted, this cut wouldn’t shut down UW’s law school. But it will hurt a lot. What a petty, stupid idea. Being idiotic didn’t stop the Republican majority from including it in their budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal term. Fortunately, the idea will be toast once it gets to the Democratic State Senate. As a failsafe, Governor Jim Doyle, also a Democrat, already said he’d veto it upon arrival, calling the idea…
"...a really bizarre thing that came out of nowhere."
Bizarre indeed. It’s worth noting that Representative Lasee was also the genius that suggested arming teachers following a series of school shootings. Uh huh. Right.
Interestingly, in that same group of Republicans in the Wisconsin State Assembly, we find Representative Sheryl Albers. She must not have a need for lawyers, since she has discovered one can propose and/or pass laws that are surprisingly helpful to her as she tries to make life miserable for her new husband’s ex-wife.
On Monday, the Wisconsin State Journal reported that Albers pushed two bills involving health insurance cards and the placement of pets in divorce cases after Anders had difficulties with those issues in his divorce case. The pets in divorce bill was introduced last week, while the health insurance card proposal became law in April 2006 and was cited by Anders in a court filing.
Representative Albers seems to like these customized laws. But doesn’t especially like the idea of equal protection. Granted, that’s my interpretation. But, as the Wisconsin State Journal notes:
Albers, a lawyer, also has proposed three constitutional amendments that would prohibit the state Supreme Court from forcing all lawyers to belong to the state Bar of Wisconsin and pay dues that are used for purposes such as providing legal services to the poor.
Why would Representative Albers think the state bar association shouldn't help fund legal aid for the needy? Could it be that Representative Albers is, oh I don’t know, a racist? Madison’s Capital Times wonders about that…
In what critics are calling racially charged remarks, Rep. Sheryl Albers, R-Reedsburg, said the nation's current health care system allows wealthy people of color to access medical services before those with less money.
"I could stand in the line at Mayo Clinic today and watch somebody come in with a different color skin with a wad of cash and they'll get service before me," she said during debate Tuesday night on the state budget in the state Assembly. "And I'm covered by the state."
OK, I know. It’s open to interpretation. But I find it curious all of this Albers stuff came out this week. And then it is capped by the Republican idea of cutting state funding for the state’s premier law school. I sense a thought pattern.
So this all means… what? Well, to me it means that, from the Republican point of view, it’s quite all right to propose, pass and write into law things that you, as both a representative and a lawyer, can use to your advantage. But let’s not be educating any more of these lawyers. And for goodness sakes, we shouldn’t help fund legal assistance for the poor.
Put another way, our Wisconsin Republicans are totally cool with helping themselves, but supporting the helping of others… not so much. I wonder where these local Republicans got that idea?
Cross-posted at Kerfuffle