Another Republican (ex-)lawmaker pipes up with thoughts on
sterilizing poor Americans.
Former Arizona state Sen. Russell Pearce (R) resigned his position as first vice chairman of the Arizona Republican Party on Sunday amid criticism by prominent Republican candidates of Pearce's recent comments on sterilization and poor women.
According to the Arizona Republic, the resignation follows the Arizona Democratic party highlighting Pearce saying on his radio talk program that if he were in charge of Arizona's public assistance programs "the first thing I'd do is get Norplant, birth control implants, or tubal ligations…Then we'll test recipients for drugs and alcohol, and if you want [to reproduce] or use drugs or alcohol, then get a job."
This would be the former Arizona State Senator
the Russell Pearce that authored and spearheaded the state's notorious anti-immigrant bill SB 1070. Yes, he's a radio show host now. Of course he is.
Pearce says in his defense that he didn't actually "say" that, he was just noting that someone else said that and was bringing it up as part of the discussion. Because, presumably, it's really important to "discuss" whether or not sterilizing Arizona's poor people might be something to think about.
You know, for people so concerned about defending themselves against the next Hitler ... hmm. I don't know how to finish that sentence.