Back in November, the nation moved forward, rejecting, soundly, the regressive/republican guard. Except Tennessee, which got redder, the General Assembly now being controlled by regressives for the first time since reconstruction. While Obama was speaking of moving forward, dealing with the failing economy, and “worn-out dogmas,” Tennessee regressives were putting wedge issues of abortion and guns to the forefront.
New Tennessee House Speaker Kent Williams has indicated that abortion restrictions and gun rights issues will be at the top of his agenda this legislative session.
The Elizabethton Republican was the surprise winner of the chamber’s top post last week when he was joined by all 49 Democrats to beat House Republican Leader Jason Mumpower of Bristol by one vote.
He immediately announced he wanted to quickly pass a long-stalled measure to restrict access to abortions and to expand the areas where people with handgun permits can carry weapons.
Forget declining ability to afford health care coverage, the climbing unemployment rate, the declining state of our children’s education, in this state, the increasing number of folks that need aid to feed their families, among other issues that are greatly effecting Tennessean’s on a daily basis. Nosireebob. The most important issues are further restricting abortion — SJR127?– (which will lead to more mouths that cannot be fed or properly educated, not to mention putting women’s lives at risk), and putting Tennessee squarely into 18th century wild, wild west. This is what the dems in TN voted for, as Speaker of the House.
Ironically, just two days ago, Williams stated he wanted to end partisan bickering.
Typical republican regressiveness is going to be hip-deep real fast here. Progressives, please send shovels!
Filed under: Feminism, Humanism, Reproductive Health, State Government, Women's Discrimination | Tagged: abortion, Barack Obama, GOP, misogyny, reproductive rights, Tennessee, women
