Clarification for Shea’s vow

In a Jan. 15 article (“Lawmakers tout states’ rights”), Rep. Matt Shea is quoted as saying, “We will not suffer government any more telling us how to live our daily lives.”

It’s interesting to read about a government official touting this particular anti-government/states’ rights platform, especially in light of the fact he was a major player in the attempt to nullify the domestic partnership benefits expansion that was passed last session.

Five days after his states’ rights speech, Rep. Shea stood on the steps of the Capitol building once again, this time to encourage people to help pass a bill that would require all minors considering abortion to view an ultrasound while his colleague from Arlington encouraged the crowd to lobby against a bill that would require limited-service pregnancy centers to give only scientifically and medically accurate information to clients.

Perhaps what Rep. Shea should have said is, “We will not suffer government any more telling us how to live our daily lives unless you’re a gay person seeking equal rights, a woman seeking reproductive health care, or a member of any other group I deem to be less deserving of rights than me.”

Aaron Weidert

Spokane