Questioning party changes
Editor,
I found reading Robin Webb’s “Legislative Update” in the Wednesday, August 20 edition of the Carter County Times took quite a bit of suspension of disbelief to make it through to the end. Sen. Webb wrote, “As the newest Republican member of the General Assembly, it was inspiring to gather with Republicans across the state to celebrate the principles that guide our parts and public service.” So, what are the fruits of the values of the party which she so recently joined? The dismantling of Medicaid, gulags to house people with no regard to due process, who are deported to countries on another continent where they don’t speak the language, have no knowledge of the culture and – what’s clearly the point – there exists no process to challenge the actions that brought there, let alone have any chance to return to their country of birth. And, speaking of birth, challenging the 14th Amendment granting birthright citizenship, the clear intent of which has been understood by all courts and legislatures since its passing 157 years ago.
Sen. Webb went on at length to tout wildlife conservation, particularly citing “grounded in sound science.” That, from the newest member of the part that so clearly disdains science, as evidenced by its denial of anthropogenic climate change, the firing of entire staffs of the EPA’s most influential science advisory panels, removing publicly-funded-and-peer-reviewed research results from government sites whenever it contradicts the policy views of the current administration, gutting research funding from the National Institute of Health, the National Science Foundation, NOAA, NASA, the Department of Energy, and on and on. She’s raving about the commitment to conservation of her new party, the head of which wants to slash the size of protected areas such as Bear’s Ears and Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monuments, remove protections from 59 million acres of National Forest lands, and open the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration. The “party of conservation” is now actively stifling development of renewable energy sources (wind, solar, geothermal) in favor of a renewed commitment to fossil fuels, while at the same time relaxing any regulations or efforts to mitigate the pollution these fossil fuels produce through both production and consumption.
She finishes by saying, “As the new school year approaches, I want to wish students, teacher and families a successful start.” This from the newly converted member of the party that dismantled the Department of Education! This is the department that distributes money Congress approves for school systems and ensures that the money is spent as intended, ensures that schools do not discriminate on the basis of race (Title VI), requires that schools equally fund athletic opportunities for girls and young women (Title IX), ensures that students with disabilities have the educational opportunities and support due them, and provides student financial aid via Pell Grants, student loans, and work-study programs. It did not, however, have any role in setting educational curriculums, that being up to state and local school boards.
Sen. Webb clearly switched parties in Deep Red Kentucky to improve the chances of holding on to her job. The line about the Democratic Party “lurching to the left” rings hollow when the Republican Party has moved so far to the right that the phrases “a fascist American” and “Constitutional Crisis” appear frequently in the national discourse, and previously unthinkable actions against the press, perceived enemies (John Bolton, anyone?) the use of US troops for law enforcement, and the regular usurpation of State, Congressional, and Judicial prerogatives by the Executive are normalized. Robin Webb should feel right at home in the party that will abandon any standard, any respect of democratic principles, and any regard for truth to remain in power.
Robert S. Duncan
Grayson, KY
Editor’s Note: Many of the criticisms aimed at Senator Webb in this letter (and other more vitriolic letters-to-the-editor we’ve chosen not to publish) have more to do with the federal government and national party than the Kentucky specific issues that Webb and other state senators and representatives in Frankfort focus on. While criticisms of the GOP, and Senator Webb’s decision to move to that party, are valid discussion points, it remains to be seen how, or if, that switch will impact any of Webb’s votes or policy decisions. She’s promised that her core values have not changed, and neither will the issues she supports. Until we see indication in the voting record that they have, we will take her at her word. Trust, but verify, as the saying goes.
