Parental rights: The new wedge issue

[LuckyTheDog]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21041.html

If there were a recipe for creating a new conservative culture-wars issue, it might look something like this: Start with the United Nations, fold in the prospect of an expanded role for government in children’s lives, add some unfortunate court decisions, then toss in Barbara Boxer and Hillary Clinton.

And indeed, when House Republicans recently found themselves with all these ingredients at hand, Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.) started pre-heating the oven.

Hoekstra last week introduced a bill in the House to amend the U.S. Constitution to permanently “enshrine” in American society an inviolable set of parents’ rights. The bill had 70 co-sponsors, all Republicans, including Minority Whip Eric Cantor and Minority Leader John A. Boehner.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

1. Sounds like patriarchy to me.

I assume these people think that because they are Kee-Rist-Yunnns, they can beat the crap out of their wives and children without worrying that Children's Protective Services will take the kids away, or that their wives will run off to one of those women's shelters to undermine their authority.

They want to go back to a time when abuse was ignored and not talked about.

:wtf:

[CoffeeCat]

2. I think this is about keeping children weak and powerless

....and silent when there is abuse happening.

Look at who supports this. Patriarchal, dominating Republicans. How many abusive, child-molesting
Republicans have been convicted? Too many to count.

Republicans want to dominate and control the women and children in their lives--because both are objects
to them.

These jerks will impede human beings from evolving--if we allow their sick, dysfunctional ways to dictate law in this country.

[Toucano]

3. Yes, I agree. This is the new wedge issue.

The website in the article, parentalrights.org makes it pretty clear this whole "movement" is manufactured.

[aquart]

5. It's this year's flag burning amendment.

You'd think they could have found an issue that was useful and relevant...but they don't like that sort of thing.

[LeftyMom]

4. "Parental rights" equals the 'right' to beat one's kids.

[Berry Cool]

6. "And why not?" cries a weeping Boehner.

"My dad--SOB--use t' WALLOP MY ASH whenever he thought I was gettin' outa line! And thank God he did, 'cause--SNIFF--THASH WHAT MADE ME THE KINDA MAN I AM T'DAY!!!! (hic, sob) Whe're we gonna enshrine th' right 'a parents t' BEAT THEIR KIDS T' A BLOODY PULP if they wanna, t' help make 'em good, DECENT people??? WHEN????"

[rucky]

7. If "Parental Rights" are at odds with children's rights...

what does that say about these parents?

[goddess40]

8. Typical right - ignore the fact that spankings don't work

and that children aren't property. Assholes!

[cali]

9. like this will go anywhere. dog, they're a pathetic lot.

[sinkingfeeling]

10. Here's the amendment they want....

Preserve Parents' Rights Now and For Future Generations

Parents’ Rights Constitutional Amendment

Section 1
The liberty of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is a fundamental right.

Section 2
Neither the United States nor any state shall infringe upon this right without demonstrating that its governmental interest as applied to the person is of the highest order and not otherwise served.

Section 3
No treaty may be adopted nor shall any source of international law be employed to supersede, modify interpret, or apply to the rights guaranteed by this article.

http://parentsrights.us/

Looks to me like they want to end public education in this country via a Constitutional amendment.

[Canuckistanian]

11. "Neither the United States NOR ANY STATE..."

Are they trying to destroy State's Rights?

[wolfgangmo]

12. this is a pretty easy one to sabotage.

Add a rider at the last moment before it gets enacted that would allow them all the freedom they want an NONE of the funding.

[derby378]

13. House Joint Resolution 42

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.J.RES.42:

Is this a pro-Flying Spaghetti Monster resolution?

And if passed, isn't it non-binding?