I just received a survey from my current TN State Senator asking for my position regarding different issues likely to be considered during this years legislative sessions. It includes questions on such topics as support for legalization of marijuana for medical/recreational use (I support both); exceptions to TN’s abortion ban for cases of rape, incest, or the life of the mother (all of the above doesn’t go far enough IMO); legislation to keep minors out of sexually explicit drag shows (is that really a thing?); regulations prohibiting minors from removing healthy body parts in order to change their gender identity (how is that any of the government’s business?); and my personal WTF question: Would you support making the Holy Bible the official State Book? (oh Hell no!)
The final question asks for my top 3 issues facing TN at this time. The options listed are: Abortion; Broadband Access; Business Regulations; Care of Children in the Dept. of Children’s Services (DCS); Crime; Criminal Justice Reform; Drug Abuse; Economy; Education; Healthcare; Immigration; and Other (please specify).
This all strikes me as seeking input on how to make this currently very vividly red state take on an even darker shade of crimson and I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY don’t want to go there.
Now, I could write a book in my response under Other, but I have no way to know if there’s a character limit for that box or what it might be so I’m inclined to keep my answers rather short and sweet. The reversal of the state’s draconian denial of women’s abortion rights is certainly up there so I could just check the Abortion box, but that doesn’t say where I actually stand on the issue. They also seem to be actively trying to eliminate the separation of church and state which I am likewise 4-square against. But the biggest thing I’m struggling to put into words is my personal belief that no governing body of any kind has any business trying to regulate the personal choices relating to the sexual identity, preferences, behavior, and practices of any individual, particularly those above the age of consent. It’s just not any of their damn business!
So, if any of you (hopefully like minded) Dopers out there have any suggestions on how to succinctly get across my desire to have my state government stick to the actual job of governing and get their collective noses out of people’s personal lives, I would be eternally grateful for your input.