Political Fracas: Brad Lager going for conspiracy theorist vote
Barb ShellyBrad Lager, a Republican Missouri state senator campaigning for the lieutenant governor’s office (strictly as a launching pad) has put out one of the strangest news releases I’ve seen in a long time.
No doubt envisioning a breathless audience for this revelation, Lager announced his support for Amendment 2 on the Aug. 7 primary ballot. Few Missourians have heard of Amendment 2 at this point, but now you know that Lager is 100 percent for it.
Amendment 2 basically duplicates provisions in the U.S. Constitution ensuring that Missourians have the freedom to express their religious beliefs, and students may pray and acknowledge God voluntarily in public schools. Lager is for that and here’s why:
“Massive government programs, like Obamacare, are trampling on rights that have been afforded to our citizens since the founding of this great country,” he said in his release. “Amendment 2 reinforces the rights of Missourians to practice their faith, or not practice any faith, as they see fit. In the wake of Obamacare, it’s time Missourians make clear that we believe the Constitution means what it says.”
Lager, who hails from Savannah, Mo., is clearly trying to wrest the conspiracy theorist vote from his opponent, incumbent Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder. Federal legislation intended to make sure all Americans have access to affordable health care is a threat to the right to pray in public schools. Oh yes, anyone can see that.
Most of Amendment 2 is just extraneous provisions already guaranteed to Missourians and on the ballot to stir up the GOP base. But one scary provision asserts that “no student shall be compelled to perform or participate in academic assignments or educational presentations that violate his or her religious beliefs.”
That could mean science classes that teach evolution, or a discussion of human sexuality. Interpreted broadly, it could mean just about anything.
One can see confusion and lawsuits headed Missouri’s way if Amendment 2 passes, which it almost surely will.
But remember, Brad Lager is for it. And if it costs taxpayers’ money in lawsuits, remember this: It’s Obamacare’s fault.
Joel Smith
10 months agoI’m suring hoping there will be an “none of the above” option on the state’s primary ballot.
Phil Cardarella
10 months agoPoor Peter Kinder. He just cannot shake the terrible suspicion that he might be sane — and that is a terrible burden to bear in a GOP primary.
David Graham
10 months agoSocialists like Babs and Phil can’t persuade most people with reason; so, they ridicule those who differ with them.