From the State Legislature that tried to bring "Your papers, please" into the real world, and which wanted to fine transgender people who went into the "wrong" bathroom comes a doozie.
The latest travesty in my state of residence is House Bill 2368 (PDF), which says we don't have to obey any Presidential Executive Orders, so nyah nyah na nyah nyah!
What's funny is the Arizona Republic's response to this bill. (Click on the you-know-what.)
While doing research on how the Arizona Republic(ans) responded to The Letter, I found an article with the nifty title:
Oh, just secede already, Arizona Legislature by Laurie Roberts
One of the most conservative papers in the country (where's this "Liberal Media" I keep hearing about?) is sick of this as well. I'd like to post an excerpt, but it's short, and full of funny jabs.
Our leaders are marching ever closer to declaring our independence from the United States of America.
Or at least, from its government.
This afternoon, the Arizona House approved House Bill 2368, declaring that henceforth the sovereign state of Arizona will not enforce any executive orders issued by the president of the United States or any policy directives from the Department of Justice unless they are affirmed by Congress and signed into law.
So, there.
The bill, sponsored by none other than Rep. Bob Thorpe, R-Flagstaff, is one of a series of kooky measures aimed at declaring our independence from federal gun laws, from the Affordable Care Act, from the Environmental Protection Agency, from the Department of Justice, from Barack Obama and from just about anything else associated with the state's most detested f-word.
Federal, that is.
Apparently, House Bill 2368 isn't even controversial. The only one to speak about it on the House floor, was Rep. Bruce Wheeler, D-Tucson, who noted that presidents throughout our nation's history have used executive orders.
He may as well as saved his breath.
The bill passed on a party line 36-24 vote.
Our leaders are so focused on and passionate about the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. If only we could get them as interested in Article 11, Section 6 of the Arizona Constitution...
I'll trust that you know the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by heart by now. Article 11, Section 6 of the Arizona Constitution might not be as familiar:
The university and all other state educational institutions shall be open to students of both sexes, and the instruction furnished shall be as nearly free as possible. The legislature shall provide for a system of common schools by which a free school shall be established and maintained in every school district for at least six months in each year, which school shall be open to all pupils between the ages of six and twenty-one years.
For those of you still scratching your heads, this refers to recent budget cuts at the University level. (To repeat a question: Why do Republicans hate smart people?)
Comments mostly agree with the article.
Tue Mar 24, 2015 at 2:31 PM PT: MARCH 16: The bill passes the Arizona House of Representatives.
Tue Mar 24, 2015 at 2:34 PM PT: MARCH 23: Senate RULES Committee action: Proper For Consideration. (I think this is Legalese for "The Senate is considering voting on it.")