On rolls the questionable tactics of the various GOP state legislatures. This article is going to generate some blowback, and that’s okay.
I’m not here to comment on personal feelings of political issues. But I can put my analyst hat on.
These whole silencing efforts various GOP state legislatures are doing? Completely idiotic, and not helpful for strategy.
Take Tennessee for starters. Three legislatures faced expulsion votes for disrupting state house proceedings in their efforts to protest inaction on gun control. The three legislatures became national figures, and the GOP was accused of being anti free speech and anti civil liberties. And the voters of Tennessee agreed too. A USA Today poll showed that 51% percent of state voters called the move an anti-democratic abuse of power. 42% felt the state GOP’s actions were appropriate. This did nothing to strengthen second amendment support or add good will towards conservative goals. When civil liberties come into the mix, the GOP looks worse.
So they’re taking that ball and running with it in Montana. Regardless of what you feel about trans issues, their efforts to silence a trans state representative will serve as a bad look to voters who care about civil liberties.
So how did the hub-hub start? State Representative Zooey Zephyr represents a seat in Missoula, Montana. Missoula is home to Montana’s largest college, creating a liberal base there in a sea of red. She’s transgender.
The GOP controlled state house banned Zephyr from speaking after she said legislatures who voted to ban gender affirming care for kids had “blood on their hands”.
Now, more and more studies say this care is dangerous and can be difficult to reverse. It’s the not the wisest policy if you want to protect kids.
But if you’re a liberal legislature, it is your right to say the opposite. The GOP felt Zephyr’s comments were so out of line, that she got banned from speaking on the state house floor. Seems extreme. Also adds sympathy points to far left trans activists. Not smart. She was asked to apologize, but objectively speaking, there’s not much to apologize for. Zephyr was giving her thoughts on a controversial bill. They might be misguided thoughts, but it your right as a representative to speak on behalf of your left leaning constituents. Sorry.
Then came the protestors at the state capitol. About a few dozen. They disrupted proceedings, and seven protestors were arrested. Smart. Arrest seven people for speaking out against their government and protesting in the supposed people’s house. For all the talk about being pro civil liberties, these state GOP legislatures don’t seem to be fans of civil liberties.
So, this is the tactic of the GOP. Let the story grow and grow. Zephyr’s idiotic pro gender affirming comments could have been heard, and they could have been shot down in debate. Maybe the GOP was a little afraid. She’s a skilled communicator. But they proved themselves to be whiny babies, and watch Rep. Zephyr become a national figure. And thus, watch gender affirming care gather even more support because the GOP seems so restrictive in contrast.
So congratulations to the state GOP of Tennessee for making second amendment protection even more difficult. And to the Montana state GOP for making the passing of gender affirming care all the more likely. Not smart if you’re a supporter of conservative causes.
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