Kansas governor rescinds order protecting gay state workers

[Meghan54]

Kansas will no longer ban discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and the transgendered in hiring and employment in much of state government because of an action announced Tuesday by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.

Brownback rescinded an executive order issued in August 2007 by then-Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius barring discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/polit...order-protecting-gay-state-workers/ar-AA9enrk



Wonder how this will work out? Probably as well as Kansas' economy.

 

[trenchfoot]

Kansas is as Kansas does. Their governor speaks for those constituents who voted him into office, therefore, through their governor, it is the wish of the people of Kansas that their governor obey their wishes.

He gets their votes to keep him in office, his constituents get what they want through him.

The people of Kansas have spoken, so let it be. If that's how they want things in their state, that's their choice.

I may or may not agree with their choice, but it was surely their choice to make and I respect that.

 

[theeedude]

Any discrimination can be challenged in Federal court under the equal protection clause of the US Constitution, like gay marriage bans were. All Brownback is doing is opening up his already nearly broke (thanks to him) state to potentially millions in legal fees and judgments. But hey, Kansans voted for him, not like they need that money for schools or anything.
http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article9351788.html

Gov. Sam Brownback cuts funding for schools and higher education

I guess Kansans' big dream of becoming an uneducated bigot state is well within reach.

 

[Moonbeam]

Hollywood needs to get busy making horror films about brain eating Kansas politiciams.

 

[brycejones]

Kansas is as Kansas does. Their governor speaks for those constituents who voted him into office, therefore, through their governor, it is the wish of the people of Kansas that their governor obey their wishes.

He gets their votes to keep him in office, his constituents get what they want through him.

The people of Kansas have spoken, so let it be. If that's how they want things in their state, that's their choice.

I may or may not agree with their choice, but it was surely their choice to make and I respect that.

This tool bag won with a plurality. So technically a majority of Kansans who voted didn't want him back.

Granted it was someone any wackier (hard to imagine at this point) who stole some votes from the right to drive him below 50% but still the point is Brownback isn't exactly a popular governor and hasn't been for a long time.

 

[Jimzz]

Guess he is hoping this will distract some from his and republicans horrible tax cut policies that are choking the state. Heck even SC Governor is distancing their tax cuts from Kanas as they are "different".

 

[HomerJS]

Kansas is as Kansas does. Their governor speaks for those constituents who voted him into office, therefore, through their governor, it is the wish of the people of Kansas that their governor obey their wishes.

He gets their votes to keep him in office, his constituents get what they want through him.

The people of Kansas have spoken, so let it be. If that's how they want things in their state, that's their choice.

I may or may not agree with their choice, but it was surely their choice to make and I respect that.

I thought states wanting to legalize discrimination was settled during the civil rights era?

 

[glenn1]

"This executive order ensures that state employees enjoy the same civil rights as all Kansans without creating additional 'protected classes' as the previous order did," Brownback said. "Any such expansion of 'protected classes' should be done by the Legislature and not through unilateral action."

Little bit too late to argue on proper venue for the change and separation of powers. Even if that's your true objection the way you fix that is has the Legislature codify the change before you repeal the executive order. For something like this it's more proper to be just than "correct."

 

[Blanky]

Scotus has not yet ruled but it seems almost certain that these people are protected under federal civil rights anyway in which case the governor's action is immaterial as is any law trying to protect what federal law already does protect.

 

[PokerGuy]

"This executive order ensures that state employees enjoy the same civil rights as all Kansans without creating additional 'protected classes' as the previous order did," Brownback said. "Any such expansion of 'protected classes' should be done by the Legislature and not through unilateral action."

Sounds reasonable.

 

[HomerJS]

Sounds reasonable.

If Brownback at the same time was pushing the legislature to update the law I'd be on board.

Absent that its just more gay bashing with clever justification.

 

[HomerJS]

Scotus has not yet ruled but it seems almost certain that these people are protected under federal civil rights anyway in which case the governor's action is immaterial as is any law trying to protect what federal law already does protect.

Operative phrase. If you gay and looking for work in Kansas why should there be another obstacle?

I'm sure the conservative answer is gay people looking for work should just move.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

Scotus has not yet ruled but it seems almost certain that these people are protected under federal civil rights anyway in which case the governor's action is immaterial as is any law trying to protect what federal law already does protect.

Agree, this will be overturned. The sooner, the better.

 

[SlowSpyder]

Brownback is creating quite a legacy for himself.

 

[soulcougher73]

I wish this guy would just die already. Hate living in his state.

Typical GOP hypocrit:

Brownback issued a new order, reaffirming the state's commitment to prohibit discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender or religion.
"This executive order ensures that state employees enjoy the same civil rights as all Kansans without creating additional 'protected classes' as the previous order did," Brownback said

Cant have 7 protected classes..thats just 1 too many. 6 is the max!! So lets get rid of the gays on the list.

 

[thraashman]

If Brownback at the same time was pushing the legislature to update the law I'd be on board.

Absent that its just more gay bashing with clever justification.

It's really not that clever. It is in fact very transparent and obvious.

 

[Mxylplyx]

I wish this guy would just die already. Hate living in his state.

Typical GOP hypocrit:


Cant have 7 protected classes..thats just 1 too many. 6 is the max!! So lets get rid of the gays on the list.

Think about how that list of protected classes has been built over the years. Almost every one of them eventually added to the list over the strident protest of conservatives at the time, constantly resisting social progress. It's hard to imagine whats going to become of them when there's no more battles to fight because they've lost them all. They'll have a serious identity crisis on their hands when we finally reach the point where all people actually ARE treated equally.

 

[trenchfoot]

This tool bag won with a plurality. So technically a majority of Kansans who voted didn't want him back.

Granted it was someone any wackier (hard to imagine at this point) who stole some votes from the right to drive him below 50% but still the point is Brownback isn't exactly a popular governor and hasn't been for a long time.

Didn't know this. Thanks for bringing it up. :thumbsup: I'll look into that and adjust my opinion about it accordingly. However, I still believe that, right or wrong, the state majority's will should prevail but they must also fully accept the consequences of their actions, including acquiescing to the federal government's right to supersede state law should the state's actions be found in violation of the constitution/bill of rights.

I thought states wanting to legalize discrimination was settled during the civil rights era?

It just so happens I fully agree with you on that. But I also feel that state's rights to majority rule is paramount while still yielding to the federal gov'ts right to ultimately decide constitutionality. In other words, we should let the system of law work the way it was designed to work and then decide for ourselves if the system should be changed, up to and including having term limits for our USSC appointments.

 

[K1052]

Members of their legislature are also pushing some questionable initiatives like using the law limit/delay people from obtaining divorces and to give more money to foster parents that go to church (among other ridiculous standards).

It is sort of interesting to watch a state gladly sink itself into a fiscal and social pit, heedless of the consequences.

 

[theeedude]

I read "What's the matter with Kansas" back in the day. It's still on the bitter downward spiral described in that book. They have voluntarily given away their middle class prosperity, and are now just hanging on to some "social issues" (aka bigotry) to make themselves feel better. It's a dead end, but just like supply side economics, Kansas is intent to walk all the way there.

 

[Darwin333]

Kansas is as Kansas does. Their governor speaks for those constituents who voted him into office, therefore, through their governor, it is the wish of the people of Kansas that their governor obey their wishes.

He gets their votes to keep him in office, his constituents get what they want through him.

The people of Kansas have spoken, so let it be. If that's how they want things in their state, that's their choice.

I may or may not agree with their choice, but it was surely their choice to make and I respect that.

To openly discriminate against people?

Are you ok with states bringing back Jim Crow too?

 

[HomerJS]

Brownback was also hip deep in a group on C Street in DC called "The Family" They helped Uganda in the creation of the "kill the gays" law

 

[Darwin333]

Sounds reasonable.

Yeah, can't be treating people equally or anything like that. That just isn't the American way.

 

[theeedude]

I wish this guy would just die already. Hate living in his state.

Typical GOP hypocrit:


Cant have 7 protected classes..thats just 1 too many. 6 is the max!! So lets get rid of the gays on the list.

Shouldn't gender discrimination cover sexual orientation as well? If you discriminate against a gay employee, you are effectively discriminating based on their gender.

-Female employee living with a male life partner.
-Male employee living with a male life partner.

If second one is singled out for discrimination, the difference is their gender.

 

[schmuckley]

"All men are created equal"
No one should get special privileges because of sexual orientation.