The February 14 issue of the Times-Union, which reported on the legislative update held at the Warsaw Farm Bureau, made for some interesting reading. If the unfounded hysteria mentioned in the article had not been delivered with such sincerity, the comments would have been amusing.
Ms. Kubacki points to her experience as a stay-at-home mom as a qualification for making decisions on budgetary matters. I respectfully suggest she talk with single mothers working a minimum wage job for a more realistic view. Ms. Kubacki further expresses her support for unemployment recipients to take and pass employer-mandated drug screenings. Had Ms. Kubacki been in the work force, she would know the majority of businesses already make drug screening a contingency for employment.
A misguided person in the audience then suggested unemployment benefits be tied to school attendance and academic performance of children of the recipients. Not all children are blessed with good health and not all children learn at the same level, which is why schools offer gifted and talented programs as well as remedial programs.
Sen. Glick mentioned the creation of voting centers for people who can't vote on election day. I thought that's what absentee ballots were for. Is this another unnecessary, repetitive government program?
Sen. Banks then chose to disparage the Sierra Club and Humane Society. Having been a member of both these organizations, I feel compelled to speak in their behalf. The Sierra Cub seeks merely to ensure that all Americans have a potable water supply, breathable air and a stable environment for our wildlife. The local Humane Societies do a remarkable job of rescuing horribly abused and neglected animals, attempting to educate those that abuse animals, as well as offering adoption programs.
Sen. Banks implies these organizations are detrimental to farmers. My dad farmed his entire life. I can think of nothing espoused by either of these organizations that would have impeded his ability to perform his vocation.
Rep. Wolkins then demonized teachers unions, comparing their behavior to that of Teamsters and trade unionists. Mr. Wolkins apparently has already forgotten the uncivilized behavior of some Tea Party activists at rallies and town hall meetings. I realize he was preaching to his choir, but in all fairness this type of rhetoric was unnecessary.
The most outlandish comment of the day goes to the man calling for a ban of Sharia law, based on the actions of a few. Not too long ago the Catholic Church was rocked by the scandal of priests molesting and abusing children, which was covered up by the church hierarchy. I don't recall anyone advocating for banning Catholicism. Down through history America has had many mass murderers and serial killers. I dare say each one of these individuals had been exposed to some religion at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, some people are insane as well as evil. Depriving a certain group of people of their Constitutional Rights threatens all of us, much like the Patriot Act.
Lastly, concerns were expressed by the Indiana Beaglers Alliance, who want to fence off property for the sole purpose of allowing people to kill and maim defenseless animals confined in pens. They call this government intrusion of private property rights. I feel my back yard would be a dandy spot for a crematorium; after all it is my property. But could I, would I, or should I do this? Absolutely not. It would be offensive and disrespectful of my neighbor's sensibilities. Where I live, we try to be considerate of each other.
