Missouri Republicans now how to win elections

[punchdrunk]

House backs constitutional amendment on school prayer

Missouri House members overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment Wednesday night intended to ensure students can pray privately and voluntarily at public schools.

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The proposal would go before Missouri voters in November if it clears a final House vote and also passes the Senate before the legislative session ends May 12.

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The Missouri Constitution has since 1875 declared people have “a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.”

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“I have taught for 22 years. Never in my time in the classroom, being a teacher or observer or a school board member, has anyone prevented Muslims, Jews or Christians from praying,” said Rep. Barbara Fraser, D-St. Louis, who voted against the amendment.

“This is a political issue - not a moral one,” Fraser said. “It is an effort that is clearly intended to get out the vote” of religious conservatives, presumed to be more inclined to vote for Republicans.

Republican House members denied such accusations. They also defeated a Democratic attempt to refer the measure to the August political primary ballot, where voter turnout is typically lower than the November general election. Democrats argued that if the issue was important, it should be settled as soon as possible.

They did this in 2004 with the amendment banning gay marriage to great success. Note that before the marriage amendment was passed, it was against Missouri law for gay people to marry and those law never were in any danger of being tossed out by a Missouri judge. But by putting it on the November ballot, they ensured apathetic right-leaning voters came out to vote. With the 2006 elections coming up, looks like it's time to come up with more needless state amendments to bring their base to the polls. Thank you, GOP, for turning my state constitution into a farce.

eta: and the probably know how to spell "know" too...

 

[jj]

Does this mean that anyone who opts to can have a small bowl of sphagetti and meatballs as a communion at every recess?

 

[Anti_Hypeman]

Yes but under the current law you cannot worship a goddess.

 

[punchdrunk]

Does this mean that anyone who opts to can have a small bowl of sphagetti and meatballs as a communion at every recess?

As long as there isn't another guy at the end of that sphagetti strand you're slurping up...