Be prepared

Posted by Indiana State Senate Democratic Leader Vi Simpson | 02/23/2012

Be prepared.

That’s the Scout motto, and it rang true this week at the Indiana Statehouse when one of the nation’s most respected youth organizations found itself caught up in a bizarre one-man firestorm.

Republican State Rep. Bob Morris admitted he only conducted a “small amount of Web-based research” before blasting the Girl Scouts of America as a “radicalized organization” that promotes sexual activity, funnels money from Planned Parenthood and embraces lesbian, communist and feminist agendas.

None of these things are true.

Yet despite nationwide media coverage and ridicule from within his own party, Morris is standing by his “small amount of Web-based research.”

Good thing we’re prepared.

We’re prepared to push back against false statements and hold public servants accountable, but more than that, we’re prepared to make sure the conversation at the Statehouse stays focused on issues that will get Indiana back on track.

Here’s a fact: Attacking the Girl Scouts won’t create a single job for Hoosiers.

It would be easy to dismiss Morris with a laugh, but he isn’t the only elected official with misguided priorities.

This session alone, we’ve spent time discussing teaching creation theory in our schools, policing the way our national anthem is sung, attacking specialty license plates and deregulating the cosmetology industry. Along the way, the GOP rammed through a divisive “right to work” proposal that will decrease Hoosier wages and reduce worker safety.

Enough, already.

We need to talk about real ways to create jobs and stimulate our economy.

Fortunately, we’re prepared for that, too.

With the filing deadline behind us, I’m pleased to announce that we’ve recruited a great field of Statehouse candidates who will put working Hoosiers – not distractions and attacks – first.

I’m confident that with your support, we can win back seats in the Indiana House and put the Indiana Senate on a path to regain a majority within the next two cycles.

But we do need your help.

Can you contribute $10, $20 or $30 to make sure we have the resources we need to elect Democrats who will focus on kitchen table issues?

We’ve got to reduce our unemployment rate, raise our wages and start competing for good-paying jobs, and Republicans at the Statehouse just aren’t interested in that agenda.

Please consider a contribution today that will put our priorities – your priorities – on the front burner next session.

We’re prepared to take action, but we can’t do it without you.

Democratically yours,
Senate Democratic Leader Vi Simpson