Rogue States

Ours, here in the US of A.

Next door to Illinois Iowa has declared open carry of personal firearms. They also were slow to adopt face masks during the pandemic and are a region of open choice regarding face mask wearing during the remainder of the pandemic.

Also, next door to Illinois Indiana has statewide policies against gay people. A stigma is the official sanction of the Indian state of mind.

Across the Ohio River from Illinois Kentucky continues its rogue policies concerning homosexuals, people of color, immigrants, and a host of other issues.

North of Illinois Wisconsin continues its war against liberals, gays, voting rights for people of color and many other issues too.

The states of Arizona, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida all have voter rights suppression high on their to do list if it isn’t already a done deal.

What most of these states have in common is their fear that the world is changing faster than they can cope. Mostly, the big worry is minority status of white people. So they gerrymander voting districts, make it hard for immigrants and people of color to vote. If legislation favors white people, they are all for it. If minorities are inconvenienced or debased, it is OK.

The big question I have for these folks is simple. What do you suppose will happen to you and your family’s future generation when you are in the minority? Do you expect to be treated kindly, fairly? What makes you think so? Why would minorities treat you better than you treated them when you were in the majority?

Think about that.

The smart people are working towards diversity and equality. They have been working on this for decades. There is a reason for that. Several, in fact. First, population shifts have steadily trended toward white minority for several decades. That is not going to change. Second, we cannot live without new immigrants and people of color. We have never been able to live well without these talented and blessed people. Third, holding them back is holding us back. The lowest common denominator never worked in society’s favor; it has always debased the entire society. Better that we raise up all people to better enjoy the fruits of our effort.

Meanwhile, what do we do about these rogue states? Reason does not move them. Open and free markets do not impress them unless it is in their favor. What do we do? Starting a trade war among the states is not the answer. Legislating decency and fairness will not likely work. So, what do we do?

One answer that keeps coming to my mind is reducing states’ rights. Under this view election laws would change to cover these elements: no gerrymandering voter districts; no voter suppression laws; well regulated election finance program to diminish big money; legislation and constitutional protection that eliminates corporations or businesses being consider real people. They do not have legal voting rights. They do not create the common infrastructure we all rely on. We all pay for that. Why should corporations get favorable rights and tax favors?

If states are eligible for disaster funds, they must prove they have done all they can to reduce the effects of disasters that are known in their region. Building homes on coastal plains is insane; why should we bail out those flooded during expected hurricanes and rising tides due to global warming? Why should our insurance premiums include those who build despite known risk factors? Why should we all bail out states who have done boneheaded management of their power grids, transportation systems and education programs?

All of us are American citizens. We stand together against common disasters and challenges. But when some citizens take the easy way out and place the burden on the rest of us to save a little money and popularity locally, then we should all call foul.

If Arizona wants federal dollars for anything, let them prove they are citizens enough to deserve such largesse. Same for Florida, California, Texas, and the rest of them. Georgia? Good grief. What will it take to wake these states up to their responsibilities? They have obligations. The rest of us do as well.

What one state does regardless of effect on the rest of the states should be labeled what it is: irresponsible, immoral, and illegal. Perhaps states’ rights have lived beyond their value?

April 12, 2021