Where’s the Problem???

Whether it is the clamor to drug test people who receive unemployment benefits, eliminate public employee unions, or require voters to have certain types of photo ID, the Republicans in state legislatures around the country and in Tennessee seem to be obsessed with finding solutions where there never have been problems. The question, why now, should be the first thought that comes to mind when the subject of drug tests, union stripping, or voter photo ID is raised. None of these issues were considered problems before the 2008 elections. Interestingly, none of these issues seem to be pursued by Democrats. So, what is the answer to the question, why now; or the second question, why just a republican/tea party problem? What is the reason to continually search for solutions when there are no problems? “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” has been a common sense approach chosen by most sensible people. So again, why now? There are plenty of problems that do need fixing. The lack of jobs is one and if that problem is fixed, the numbers of unemployed will decrease along with the numbers of people who might NEED drug testing. Preventing more layoffs of existing employees is also a more pressing problem. Fix this and you might not need the union stripping legislation. The republican/Tea Party continually claim to be for less government intrusion but they support drug testing. What can be more intrusive that asking someone to pee in a cup? Before going any further one should look at just who is behind all of this legislation. It is difficult to imagine that all of a sudden, an multiple states, problems such as these that had never existed before suddenly appear. Could it be a coincidence that Koch PAC, Republican Governors Association (a benefactor of Koch PAC) and American Action Network are behind all three “solutions”? One must wonder why. One has to ask how all or some of these legislative actions might benefit the organizations that are putting up the cash to push the passage of these bills. People like the Koch brothers do not donate for the love of giving. They are very shrewd and are known to spend only when there is a favorable return. There is another saying, “pigs get fat but hogs get slaughtered”. The top 2% exemplified by the Koch brothers and the Waltons, have moved from pig to hog. It is time for change. Dollars do not vote but boots on the street do. Let the special interests outspend as long as we out vote.