The implosion of the GOP

New Jim Crow-style anti-gay legislation introduced in Kansas, Idaho, Oregon, Tennessee and other states this month has proved how the GOP doesn’t realize how out of touch it is.

Bills in the states listed above and in numerous others mimic a Kansas bill killed after public backlash. The bill would have allowed anyone to refuse to do business with same-sex couples by citing religious beliefs.

In states such as Arizona, Hawaii and Oklahoma, the legislation takes it one step further by allowing people to refuse services or even employment to same-sex individuals — provided, of course, that they insist their religious beliefs are the cause.
It’s important to mention that in most cases, the legislation covers both private business and individuals, including government employees.

Essentially, these bills would legalize discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation.

Now, to me, this sounds like pre-Civil Rights Movement stuff, the stuff that we thought we’d never have to deal with again after Martin Luther King Jr. said he had a dream.
It’s not really clear why the GOP is set on being as far-removed from mainstream culture as possible. That’s not how you win voters over, especially the critical Millennial demographic that’s arguably the most liberal generation ever.

Coming from a political party with the platform of becoming as rich as possible, legislation like this is ironic because it isolates a rapidly growing customer base — gays, lesbians and transgender individuals. “Gay” money has just as much value as “straight” money.

This generalizes Republicans. They aren’t all bad. But the real irony here is that this legislation is coming from the religious right. Christian political leaders who have apparently forgotten the basis of the very religion they think they’re upholding.

It has been awhile since I’ve been to church, but I think I have an idea of what Christianity is about and what Jesus allegedly taught. We should love one other and treat each other equally.

But, here’s the thing — I’ve never been denied admittance to church because of my sexuality.

I realize many churchgoers might think differently than I do about homosexuality, but I’ve always been allowed to worship if I please.

The religious right is using Christianity as a political tool rather than as dogma. They’re using it to justify outlandish legislation that denies basic human rights.

Adam Smith, the father of modern-day economics, said the government should not have to be involved in the free market. He argued that the market should be able to govern itself.

Of course, this has been proven untrue because of greed and political collusion and many other factors. So the government has to get involved and regulate the market.
Anti-discrimination laws should continue to be a part of this regulation.

Thanks to the Tea Party and the religious right, the GOP is shooting themselves in the foot. Young voters aren’t going to elect bigots. And because the bad apples stand out most, it seems like the entire party is full of bigots, even though that’s not true.

And finally, dear homophobic and presumably “religious,” business owners — we don’t wanna buy your garbage anyway.

­zipperr@indiana.edu
@rileyezipper