God Bless Thurmond Adams and Company
May 13th, 2009 by David Anderson
Senator Adams understood that imposing needless regulation on business in this economy is unwise and so did 3 other senators. HB 5, the Lawyers Right to Sue More, bill went down to defeat after a fair vote and an open public hearing today.
The defeat of HB 5 in a public vote undermines the whine factor of supporters who are trying to rush this bill through with little public debate and scrutiny by bypassing the committee process.
HB 5 is a sham. It has no provisions to protect auxiliary operations of religious institutions such as accommodations, hall rentals, and camps from being forced to participate in the activities preformed by others that they object to. In spite of a weak employment exemption which may or may not apply to religious schools and daycares. there was none whatsoever in the public accommodation side of the ledger.
Small businesses would have to explain why they did not hire someone who dressed in a distracting way if that person claimed it was because of his orientation.
It is a needless addition of regulation brought to us by the people who specialize in creating needless burdens to solve problems that rarely exist. The cost /benefit of this bill is highly questionable and I have to stand with the Democrats who had the courage to just say no.
Sometimes it seems like a downstate Democrat is the best we can hope for. Then I see what they did to state spending. Maybe one day the GOP will get its act together again and give a consistent conservative message. (Shout out to Senator Simpson for his wisdom as well.)
It is times like these that I know why I vote for Thurman Adams. He has been consistent over the years that I have lived in his district in his social view also on gun rights I believe he gets a very high grade from the NRA. . I just don’t understand how he can hope to be elected again since social issues are the new third rail, oh that’s right that’s only in my party. I would like to personally thank all the Senaors of both parties who voted down this unnecessary bill. It’s not as good as the marriage protection amendment but it is a victory for traditional values.
David, HB5 was merely an extension of civil rights to gay people, as African-Americans and women now enjoy.
All of the objections you just cited could apply to the treatment of African-Americans and women were their civil rights denied.
Your hypocrisy on this issue is simply outrageous!
As I recall, the laws mandated discrimination against minorities and women. It took affirmative law to undue the damage done. Show me the widespread discrimination and I will help find a solution. Are gays earning less than heterosexuals? Every study says no. Are gays being denied government contracts for their businesses like minorities were? No. Are there laws which prohibit gays from dining where they want? No. Are there police assaulting gays for rallying in support of legislation that they want? No. Does the law proscribe the rights of property for gays with the exception of some retirements which should be changed immediately. No. They already have the rights of similarly situated people.
I am not a fan of giving rights on the basis of lifestyle. Smokers rights are an example. You have a right to do what you wish but when does it become an obligation of others to support it?
I think that some laws/regulations disproportionately affect gays. I believe that household insurance would be a good move for many people including gays. I believe that people should have a right to transfer retirement benefits to whomever they want as their survivor. We don’t have to violate the rights of some to uphold the rights of others. I would also note that broad based bills like HB 5 have eventually been used to undermine traditional marriage. If we think through what we need to do, we can have legislation that 80% of Delaware supports. I believe that would do far more good for gays than a divisive bill. I do not favor institutionalized discrimination against anyone including gays.
David Anderson and Adams….what a couple.
BTW Frank-I agree with your point, this should be a reminder that pure social conservatives may have some where else to go. The GOP should think that over. Down the line conservatism is the best coalition builder. You just have to accept people where they come in to the coalition.
I just love that twice in a day you got state legislator’s names wrong. And you got them wrong in the TITLE of the post.
It makes me giggle, really.
The only thing funnier was when you suggested that you had a challenger for the good Rep. Kowalko. Guess which candidate got more votes in the 25th district, Obama/Biden, Markell, Denn or Kowalko? Please spend your money in the 25th.
Hey, Jason … it’s Thurman, not Thurmond.