Texas Republican - Nanny State? That’s a Good Thing!
by BigJolly | 04/11/2007 10:35 am | Alert moderatorIn yet another example of Texas Republicans having only one oar in the water, Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa had this to say about his bill to require a two year wait to get a divorce if the couple does not undergo marriage crisis classes.
“We’re saying families are important to us,” Chisum said Tuesday. “If that’s the nanny state, then so we are. We’re very pro-family.”
The Chronicle describes Rep. Chisum as a “leading House conservative”. Nonsense. There is nothing conservative about this bill. Conservatives leave people alone and want to be left alone by the government. They don’t take money from people to fund classes on conflict management or “forgiveness skills”, whatever the hell that means.
Chisum’s bills requiring premarital classes and crisis classes for marriages in trouble include a separate funding proposal for low-income Texans.
It would tap into nearly $10 million in a federal welfare block grant to help pay for the classes.
And conservatives do not devise “creative” ways to get federal matching taxes. What does this guy think, that the federal government has money from a source other than taxpayers?
“What we have is the Legislature moving from one particular social ill to another and prescribing by statute what sort of treatment people should have,” Bresnen said.
“It’s wholly inappropriate,” he added. “These people are adults. The fact they want a divorce does not mean they’re ill.”
Yes, this is “wholly inappropriate”. Are there ANY conservatives left in Texas politics?
19 Responses to “Texas Republican - Nanny State? That’s a Good Thing!”
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April 11th, 2007 at 11:18 am
No, no, no!
THis kind of outreach is a fine idea for churches or even non-religious charitable organizations.
Not my tax dollars!
April 11th, 2007 at 11:57 am
This is bull, if Texans are not adult enough to make thier decissions about divorce with out the state interfering, then out law marriage!
Makes about as much sense as this stupid bill.
LESS GOVERNMENT INTRUSION not more!
IMPEACH PERRY
April 11th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Government shouldn’t be into social engineering, period. Now, that being said, they’ve been social engineering to the direct detriment of society in general and the nuclear family in particular for decades. There are so many incentives(read entitlements) out there that undermine the social fabric of this country, it’s pathetic. Marriage, a fundamental building block of civilized society, is under attack from all sides. Sadly, a large percentage of our societal ills are directly linked to the breakdown of the two parent, heterosexual family. Any two idiots can get a marriage license without any instruction. Frankly, it’s more difficult to get a driver’s license. Our culture is at a desperate crossroad and something must be done to reaffirm the importance of the nuclear family. I’m against government intrusion as well, but honestly, how will the secular masses be reached? When two people stand in front of their families, friends and, if applicable, their God and make the solemn vows of matrimony, somebody needs to remind them what they witnessed and the seriousness of their committed word. It probably should be more difficult to get married and get divorced.
April 11th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Rep. Warren Chisum , R.I.N.O. Pampa
April 11th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
What about for the people who have (multiple) kids out of wedlock? They’re exempt! Where’s the logic? How is that encouraging your pro-family argument?
April 11th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
#5. Obviously the sperm and egg donors in your example are a lost cause(and most likely a product of the last 40 years of failed government social policy), but those kids need to hear a message that there is a better way, and they need to hear it repeatedly. I am looking to the next generation to fix the rotten mess that has become our culture, a calamity that has occurred on my generation’s watch no less. Certainly a burden not of their making, I’m optimistic the next great generation will be the one that accomplishes that feat.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
#6 Lawrence. Well Said!
April 11th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
It’s difficult to find the other oar to put in the water when you have your head up your fanny. Everybody gets one screw up. But I saw if you are going to collect welfare, they you should be required be on birth control until you are off of welfare. And if the daddy isn’t contributing, he gets snipped. And if she has another child and she’s still on welfare, she gets snipped too! This is how we prevent unwanted children!
April 11th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
“We’re government elists.. We know better than you. Sit down and shut up you peon and we’ll be your friend again in November. “
April 11th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
But… its for the chillren
April 11th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
My psell Czech iz breaukin.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
#11 lol……….how did Jocelyn Elders spell chilren? hehe
April 11th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Since IAIron Man has been slow on the draw this time(no pun intended!), I’ll say it:
‘get back to work peasants!!!’
April 11th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
And we’re supposed to support these people—no matter what—in the general election??
‘Fraid not, bubba.
This party needs a stake through its heart
April 11th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
I want to know why the Government has anything to say about marriage at all. Why do I need the Governments permission to get married or get divorced?
April 11th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
#15 - You don’t. I am an “Evangelical Christian”, and I think the states are within their rights to specify framework for marriage and divorce (specifically because divorce often involves dispute that a 3rd party has to wade into and either negotiate or arbitrate), but I am also of the view that the government has no business telling me I can’t get a divorce before I get counseling. That’s going overboard, much like the old “blue laws” or current liquor laws that prevent sales of certain items on Sunday…
April 11th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
If ya bury ‘em in the backyard, you won’t need no stinking counseling…./bury ‘em deep so that your dog can’t dig them up. :0
April 11th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Can the republican party wipe my butt too?
April 11th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
When is the government going to “let go of the apron strings”? This is almost communistic.