GOP's Frightening Plot to Build Laboratories for Plutocracy in States They Control

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http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/gops-frightening-plot-build-laboratories-plutocracy

In the American political tradition, states are known as “laboratories of democracy,” miniature examples for the rest of the country to learn from. Following the 2014 elections, Republicans gained more power in state legislatures than they've had in their party's history, controlling 69 of the 99 different state chambers across the country.

With these wide majorities, these Republicans are using these laboratories to put into action some of their wildest plutocratic legislative dreams, everything from enacting discriminatory legislation against gay and lesbian Americans to assaulting the rights of workers, to clawing back laws at every level that protect the public interest.

Bigotry In The Name Of Religious Freedom

Last year, Republicans introduced a flurry of “religious freedom” bills designed to legalize the ability of businesses to discriminate; for example, a diner refusing to serve a gay couple. Having failed to fully pass these bills even in the most right-wing legislatures, Republicans in numerous states have resurrected these bills to try again this year.

In Michigan, where the bill made it through the House in December but stalled before getting the governor, GOP state senator Mike Shirkey re-introduced the bill in the upper chamber. “It's simply about protecting the rights that the constitution provides for all citizens, not just select groups of citizens,” he said.