My GOPpie Assemblyman redbaits in battle against domestic partner benefits

[sybylla]

In a throwback to the 50's and 60's, Rep. Scott Suder is channeling McCarthy and Nixon. Believe it or not, the only political photo on his office walls is of Richard and Pat Nixon boarding an airplane.

From his press release - all emphasis added is mine.
http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/Apr05/Apr21/0421suderdomesticpartner.PDF

Rep. Suder Slams ACLU “Domestic
Partner” Health Care Lawsuit
Lawmaker Says Group’s Suit Against the State Threatens Taxpayers &
Common Sense
___________________________________________________________________________________
Madison…After learning that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s prohibition of domestic partner benefits for its employees, State Representative Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) blasted the action calling it a conspiracy against common sense and a threat to all state taxpayers. The lawmaker, who recently criticized Governor Doyle for including a similar provision in his budget bill, said if the suit moves forward it could cost state taxpayers millions of dollars in added benefits for same sex couples. Suder, who chairs the Criminal Justice and Homeland Security
Committee, challenged the Attorney General to fight against allowing this suit to move forward.

“The left-wingers at the ACLU are now trying to sneak their social engineering agenda through the courts when they’ve been defeated at the ballot box,” said Suder. “Those representing the State of Wisconsin must stand up to the legal extortion efforts of this radical group.”

According to Suder the ACLU, founded by an avowed communist, continues to attempt to use the legal system to undermine the American constitution and the protections and freedoms it stands for. The lawmaker said the extremist group has now turned its forces to legalizing gay marriage. As part of this initiative, the ACLU has joined forces with activist judges across the country to openly challenge provisions in state constitutions that prohibit same sex couples from receiving domestic partner benefits. Suder said with the state budget deficit climbing to nearly $2 billion this biennium, taxpayers can’t afford to foot the bill for healthcare options of same-sex couples.

The ACLU is filing the lawsuit on behalf of six lesbian state employees who are seeking full medical insurance coverage and family leave protections for their partners. The couples allege that the state’s employee health insurance program bars them and their families from equal coverage and full access that is afforded to legally married couples. The lawmaker said this is not an issue of fairness; it is a costly, controversial policy which should be decided by taxpayers through their elected representatives.

Suder said the lawsuit is headed to state courts and he urged state residents to contact their local legislators on the toll-free Legislative hotline to make their voice heard on the issue. The Legislative Hotline’s toll-free number is 1-800-362-9472.
If you should have any further questions on this matter or any other legislative issue, please feel free tocontact him toll-free at 1.888.534.0069 or you can email him at [e-mail].
-30-

I could swear I've heard recordings of McCarthy calling communism a "conspiracy against common sense and a threat".

The first thing I thought of upon reading this is the WKRP episode where there is a tornado hitting Cincinatti and Les Nessman has to use the text of the old "commie alert" to warn the citizens.

And talk about pot meet kettle - conservatives invented circumventing the legislative route by going through the courts.

What a frelling idiot!

[Lisaben2619]

1. The Big Ten universities found it costs less than 1% add DP benefits

and was much less than the cost of recruitment and retraining. Even if it did cost more, I'm still amazed at people who think it's ok to discriminate because it's cheaper than equality.

[ewagner]

2. Lots of twisted logic

in his post.....like this:

Suder said with the state budget deficit climbing to nearly $2 billion this biennium, taxpayers can’t afford to foot the bill for healthcare options of same-sex couples.

It's like saying murder is wrong but we can't afford to prevent it...

He seems to be saying that we can't have benefits only because we can't afford it.....