03-30-2015, 08:13 AM
(03-29-2015, 04:24 PM)Donovan Wrote: What is troubling is that when politicians begin to draft laws designed to favor one group over another, and especially when they use religion to back up their right to do so, the end result generally winds up with colorful names like Nuremberg or Jim Crow. Because people are selfish. And mobs of "godfearing" people with a mind to exclude are even moreso.
As for whether that will lead to an American Fascist state: some might argue that ship sailed a while ago.
As US citizens, we get to vote in democratic elections, we get to vote on ballot measures in our local communities, we have freedom to protest what we don't like and demonstrate in support of what we do like, we don't have state-run media and do have freedom of press, money still has a loud influential voice in our capitalistic society...
And still, some might well argue that RFRA makes America fascist-like. Hell, some argue that the ship carrying America towards its Socialism destiny sailed with the implementation of Obama Care. Those are both invalid arguments born of frustration or ignorance in regards to what fascism and socialism require, in my opinion.
With local news now being available via internet to so many people near and far from that locality, engaged citizens and business owners are aware of the bills under considerations in different states and have a huge virtual venue in which to voice their criticism or agreement. Given that, I'm surprised Indiana's Congress and Governor Pence went where Arizona decided not to venture. AZ Governor Brewer vetoed the RFRA bill there last year after being bombarded with criticism and boycott threats for even considering passing it into state law.
Anyway, this weekend, Apple, Angie's List, the City of San Francisco, the City of Seattle, various celebrities and politicians, etc... condemned and vowed to cease business with the state of Indiana as a result of what they see as RFRA's green-lighting of discrimination against gays.
Personally, I think passing the bill into law hurt Governor Pence and the state of Indiana more than it helped to restore any perceived loss or to protect against feared future loss of religious freedom in the state. Bad move socially, politically, and economically, IMO.