Oh, so now it's my fault the Democrats and Republicans in Indianapolis can't get along:
Rep. Tom Saunders, R-Lewisville, blamed it in part on the increased political polarization, and on the news media, which have shone such a spotlight on lobbying that legislators no longer want to attend lobbyist-sponsored receptions or other events where lawmakers mingle.
"Nobody does that anymore," he said. "There's just no socializing anymore . . ."
They can mingle only at lobbyist-sponsored events? I know lots of people who attend lots of events and mingle, not a single one of them sponsored by lobbyists.
Call me old-fashioned, but I think the walkout should be blamed on the people who walked out. And I think this is right:
If this standoff means a budget and new legislative district maps are not done by April 29, Daniels will be forced to call a special session. That costs money at a time when the state is strapped for cash, and the public won't have to look farther than an Illinois hotel to know whom to blame.
Comments
If "the public won
Harl, I don't mean to be picky, but...what does Wisconsin, Ms. Cass or Senator Hopper have to do with Indiana Congressional Democrats hiding in Illinois?
You got too many windows open?
I thought government-funded whores and lobbyist-sponsored receptions were equally relevant to avoiding quorums.
Abraham Lincoln didn't leave the state to avoid a quorum. He only jumped out a window. On the other hand, he wasn't facing an opposition party that made such actions necessary.