From: frank theriault
Are "they" trying to do this, or is this just one guy? In Canada we
have government bills and private member bills. Private member bills
are tabled by an individual legislator, the other legislators don't
have to vote along party lines (in other words it's a "free vote") and
if the bill doesn't pass, that's the end of it. No repercussions to
the government (ie: the party in power). Some 90% of private member
bills don't pass because they're usually unimportant pieces of crap
that only concern a few squeaky wheels in the sponsoring member's
constituency.
Why am I meandering on about all this?
Because it's my guess that unless things are wildly different in
Florida, this bill will never be passed and will die a quiet death on
the floor of the legislature. OTOH, it ~is~ Florida, home of Anita
Bryant and hanging chads, the place where Gee Dubya won the
presidency, so who knows?
Seriously, my guess is that we need not get our shorts in a knot over
this. Even if it passes, it's doubtful it will survive it's first
constitutional challenge in the courts.
I'll sleep easy tonight...
I expect it's more than one guy. In U.S. state legislature's there is no
such distinction between "government bills and private member bills".
It might pass in whatever chamber of the legislature this guy was
elected to and die in the other. It might pass in both chambers and be
vetoed by the Governor (if Florida allows the Governor a veto - I think
most states do, even if only a weak power to do so).
Or it might pass and be signed into law. State legislatures in many
states have passed stupider laws than this one.
I agree it's highly unlikely to survive a court challenge, but in the
interim, until it *IS* overturned ... the denial of civil rights
embodied within it could inconvenience quite a few people.
And should it actually pass, it won't be challenged and overturned
unless people get their "shorts in a know over" it.
The conventional wisdom is the Federal Government is a threat to
liberty, but the truth is you really need to keep your eye on the
states. That's where the crazies have the power to stab you in the back.
And where it's less likely to be noticed in time.
One of the major, under appreciated roles the Federal Government plays
in our society is restraining State and local government from abrogating
the rights of citizens.
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