I don’t want to get over-the-top excited about this, but I have been waiting years, literally years, for a member of the Republican Party to speak common sense to the American people.
We know that state and federal Republican legislators do not represent the vast majority of their constituents on issues like gun violence and reproductive rights for women.
Worse, because of political maneuvering and outright dirty tricks (like Mitch McConnell refusing to seat President Obama’s Supreme Court candidate “so close to an election” and then seating President Trump’s even closer to an election) we are governed by the minority.
Folks, it has finally happened!
USA Today reports that in her interview with Fox News, Sunday, South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace took on the right-wing fringe that has hijacked the Republican Party and its legislative policies:
“Every mass shooting, there’s just silence, and prayers are offered, Easter baskets are offered, but no real solutions.”
Refreshing, but does Mace actually offer some common sense legislative proposals? Surprise! She does! Here’s what she offered on guns:
“Republicans can no longer be silent on this issue. And it’s not about the Second Amendment. There are plenty of things that we can be doing besides offering prayers and silence.”
More soundbite than proposal, right?
But she also suggested an “Amber Alert” system to notify communities that there has been a shooting. She recommended strengthening background checks.
What? You expected more? Come on, folks—she’s a Republican. What did you expect, a ban on assault weapons?
Too sensible for any Republican, but Mace wasn’t finished.
She also took on the right wing fringe on another important topic, reproductive rights for women. Here’s what she said:
“We’ve got 14 counties in South Carolina that don’t have a single OBGYN doctor. So, if we’re going to ban abortion, what are we doing to make sure women have access to birth control?”
A Republican advocating for access to birth control?
She also questioned the far right’s (the GOP’s) refusal to consider the life of the mother or rape and incest exceptions in drafting new red state abortion legislation.
Many states (Tennessee comes to mind) have no exception for rape or incest. Mace must be a radical!
Well . . . hold the phone, ladies and gentlemen.
According to www.house.ontheissues.org, she is “very pro-life” and against government funding for Planned Parenthood. She believes life begins at conception but carves out exceptions for rape and incest.
On other issues, she is pro-stimulus spending, pro COVID relief, and pro legalization of marijuana.
She is anti-police liability (a definite no-no) and pro educational choice (not radical, but not someone who supports educational ‘fairness’ for all).
She is pro-corporate tax cuts and against entitlements.
She supports term limits (and specifically calls out Lindsey Graham) and voted “no” on impeaching Donald Trump for his role in the January 6th insurrection.
On immigration, she is pro-border wall and anti-immigration, arguing that it must be “earned,” and comparing the expense of “comprehensive immigration reform” to “comprehensive health care reform.
According to Mace, “the bill for Obamacare is still rising.”
Despite her recent ‘come to Jesus’ moment on guns, she has been steadfastly anti-gun control, arguing that “the debate over gun rights and gun control ended with the Second Amendment.”
So, what do you think? Is she ready to switch parties? I don’t think so.
But her interview was refreshing, one small step for humankind.
Can she drag other Republicans along a similar path?
Not a chance!
UPDATE: And then *this* very Republican thing happened and, well, sigh:
In a bizarre selfie walking video, Nancy Mace accuses Biden (without evidence) of being involved in "prostitution rings." She is what passes for a serious Republican these days. pic.twitter.com/LWdZRjhklj
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 19, 2023
Mark M. Bello is an attorney and author of the Zachary Blake Legal Thriller Series and children’s social justice/safety picture books.
He also hosts the popular bi-weekly podcast Justice Counts.
Mark’s books may be found at all online booksellers and on his website at https://www.markmbello.com.
