On Monday evening my local Dems group had their monthly meeting. The invited guests were our three local State Legislative Republican Representatives. It appeared that the speakers and the audience were a bit tentative in the beginning but the Reps. each spoke on the issues effecting our district and the process of passing legislation. They warmed to their subjects and we listened attentively.
We have many enviromental issues here. The latest being coal ash waste disposal over our part of the Florida aquifer. They had all tried, unsuccessfully, to get legislation passed for minimum standards regarding acceptable toxicity levels. It had seemed to them a no-brainer, but, Power companies are powerful and the legislation couldn’t get to the floor. Fortunately, the petitions to dump the waste have been withdrawn. Although the issue is mute here for the time being, it has not been formally decided in any way. So, on one of our issues we were in total agreement and our Reps were applauded for their efforts and their pledge to continue the fight for regulations. And even encouraged us to send letters to our Power Company in protest.
The biggest and most vocal disagreement began when they admitted they all three had voted for the “Right to Carry on Campus” bill. According to them, a 21 year old college student with a gun will know how to handle an active shooter situation, should one arise and their actions will minimize the number of victims in this scenario. Also, it should be noted, they cannot carry in an area or class where high school students are present and there are “safe zones” Don’t ask me to explain those exemptions. They lost me at 21 YEAR OLD ON CAMPUS WITH A GUN. (Because, we all know there are no alcohol related problems or romantic entanglements or academic pressures etc. etc. with this age group and their not completely developed brains.) Many in the room envisioned the disaster in waiting this legislation will create. But of course, it will be NOBODY’S fault except the shooters. Always remember, guns don’t kill people, only untrained, hung-over,hormone-charged 21 year olds kill people. They took a chance bringing up this issue and it started a firestorm. Although, I don’t think they were going to get out of there without the heated opinions on the subject as many had worked hard to try and get this bill defeated. My last thought on this subject was, if this had been a Republican meeting they would have been once again applauded and congratulated (they had momentarily had a brain fart and forgotten who they were talking to). First and sometimes only issue in my area: DON’T MESS WITH MY GUNS!
There were a few other issues discussed, with mostly agreement but because they are State level Reps. we thought we could only approach health care minimally. The amazing thing was that once we did start talking about the current healthcare legislations they admitted to being very worried about it’s effects on our rural providers to stay open and provide care. Adding, how the loss of insured citizens will not only hurt the citizen’s own personal health but also will lead to a loss of jobs in the health care industry. They encouraged us to keep contacting our Governor telling him to take a stand and our Congressmen to vote against this legislation. Apparently, according to them, SCREAMING LOUDLY AND OFTEN DOES WORK. I think we were all fortified in our efforts from an unexpected source and we also encouraged them to be brave and do the same.
The meeting eventually ended with us being sincerely thanked for inviting them and us sincerely thanking them for accepting our invitation. I have to admit, after handshakes and well wishes, I felt a bit hopeful, that perhaps, not every Republican is unsympathetic to all the issues I find important. I also thought, how much better it would have been if at least one of them had been a female and a Democrat, but, we’re working on that issue too with my Indivisible and Women’s Voices groups.
That’s how my week began and now, I’m going to go plant my “DON’T DRILL MY COAST” sign in my front yard and call “Not my Buddy Carter” and my party-first Senators Isakson and Perdue regarding their misguided, short-sighted, uniformed, idiotic opinions on healthcare and the enviroment etc. etc. Not all Republicans are created equal. Don’t let up!