I never thought I'd say this. But I'm thinking of voting in the local Republican primary for Michigan's 2nd congressional district...you know...Pete Hoekstra's seat.
Hoekstra is leaving his congressional seat with visions of Governorness dancing in his head. That's another story. The guy currently in the lead to claim the Republican nomination creeps the ever lovin' shit out of me even more than Hoekstra ever did...
Jay Reimersma. The ex football player. The Ex Pittsburgh Steeler.
But more than that, he is the Midwest Regional Director of Development for the Family Research Council.
West Michigan has a deep, deep religious zealot streak to it. That rightwing religious nut Erick Prince, founder of Blackwater Sercurity. Yeah, he's from here. Holland, Michigan. Jimmy Baker, the disgraced televangelist...also from here...Muskegon. Some of the world's largest Christian book publishers...here...Grand Rapids. I live not so far from an honest to god, nationally attended Christian summer resort, the Maranatha Bible and Mission Conference.
And so when I say Jay Riemersma is a hard core, right wing, fundamentalist zealot...I'm comparing him to some heavy hitters in the hard core, right wing, fundamentalist zealot world.
As regional director of the Family Research Council, this is the sort of acidic tripe he peddles and promotes
Homosexuality
Family Research Council believes that homosexual conduct is harmful to the persons who engage in it and to society at large, and can never be affirmed. It is by definition unnatural, and as such is associated with negative physical and psychological health effects. While the origins of same-sex attractions may be complex, there is no convincing evidence that a homosexual identity is ever something genetic or inborn. We oppose the vigorous efforts of homosexual activists to demand that homosexuality be accepted as equivalent to heterosexuality in law, in the media, and in schools.
-- Link
Abstinence and Sexual Health
FRC supports healthy marriage and family formation education to youth in conjunction with abstinence until marriage education, where marriage between one man and woman is promoted as the expected context for sexual behaviors and as the best family structure for raising children.
-- Link
Women's Health
Family Research Council believes that abortion, far from empowering women, is a destructive force in women's lives. Women deserve to be fully informed before making decisions regarding their reproductive and maternal health.
-- Link
Broadcast and Cable Decency
Television programs are transmitted over "public" airwaves that belong to the American people. Consequently, Family Research Council strongly supports the public's right to make the airwaves suitable for viewing and listening. The Congress agrees and has given the FCC appropriate powers to create and enforce regulations to control obscene, indecent, or profane programming.
-- Link
And this is what Jay Reimersma, frontrunner for Michigan's 2nd Congressional District has been pushing for and advocating for the past 3 years.
Here's his bio
Jay Riemersma Midwest Regional Director of Development In November of 2007, Jay Riemersma joined Family Research Council (FRC) as the Midwest Regional Director of Development. As an ambassador for FRC, Jay communicates the vision of defending faith, family, and freedom to key supporters throughout the Midwest territory.Jay lives in Holland, Michigan with his wife Cara and their three children Sophia, Trip, and Nick. Prior to joining Family Research Council, Jay had a very rewarding career in football with the University of Michigan and professionally for nine years with the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers. Most recently, Jay sensed a call to serve an organization devoted to championing the very core values he shares.In his role, Jay will help fund FRC's ability to shape public debate and formulate public policy that values human life and upholds the God-ordained institutions of marriage and the family. Jay looks forward to uniting like-minded families with FRC's vision and expanding its positive influence on our culture.
The core values he shares. He's been promoting professionally the core values of the Family Research Council, and now he's trying to take those values all the way to Washington. And it's not just values he shares with them...it's money. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions already.
I'm going to do what I can to stop this guy from winning the primary, even if I end up voting in the Republican primary. And I'm going to do whatever I can to stop him from winning the final election if he wins the primary.
His Democratic challenger, should Jay win the primary, is Fred Johnson. I expect to meet Mr Johnson in the next couple weeks and ask him some questions on where he stands and what he stands for. If you have questions for me to ask him, post 'em below. I want this guy to crush Mr. Riemersma. But I also want a progressive to take this district.
In the meantime Join Fred on Twitter and learn more about him.