Kentucky governor: AL, MS "in a race to get back to the 19th century" because of Republicans

[alp227]

I heard about this on the local news insert before Wait Wait Don't Tell Me on the Louisville NPR station WFPL. Beshear Says GOP Control of House Would Set Kentucky Back to "19th Century"

Governor Steve Beshear says Kentucky risks running off the “progressive path” it’s on if voters give the GOP a majority of state House seats. Beshear made the comments in Barren County Thursday.

Democrats currently hold a 54-to-46 advantage in the chamber, but Republicans have made a major push to win control of the House for the first time in more than 90 years. To help Democratic incumbents, Beshear has been on the road this week, announcing funding for infrastructure projects in districts where these members are facing competitive challenges by Republican candidates.

Beshear said if the GOP does gain control of the House —the party already controls the state Senate—he’s worried about how it would affect recent gains Kentucky has made in education and health care.

“If people will just look at Mississippi, Alabama, and a lot of these southern states where they’re dominated by far-right wing conservative Republican parties both in the House, Senate, and the governorship—all of those states are in a race to get back to the 19th century,” Beshear said.

He's right - while those states have three of the top four ranked college football programs, with education, health, environment, and other social conditions those states rank really low.

Not just that - he called out those pouring big money in politics:

He also denounced the large amounts of money Republican PACs have been spending in Kentucky, in an attempt to tip the balance.

“This is money coming from folks all around the country that don’t care a thing about Kentucky, will never be in Kentucky, and—when it’s over with—won’t come to Kentucky,” he said. “But they’re trying to influence the outcome of our races with all of their millions and billions of dollars.”

Wow, I wish more (D) congressional candidates spoke their minds and in defense of progressive policies as much as this governor. I hope these comments get more (D) votes for both state legislators AND Alison Grimes.

[ladjf]

1. I like that Governor. He consistently makes good sense when he speaks. nt

[JustAnotherGen]

2. I love this guy!

I posted this to the KY members a few days ago -

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1053291

It's still possible to find inherently good people in government today.

See if you can catch clips of his interview on the Ed Show this week.

[kentuck]

3. Maybe he will run against Rand Paul in two years?

Good idea?

[3catwoman3]

4. But, but - FOOTBALL!

The residents of those other states know what really matters, dontchaknow?

[Scarsdale]

6. Athletes

Too bad the black athletes do not refuse to play for one of these racist, backwards states. They should stand for their principles and play for states that want ALL people treated equally.

[Old Codger]

5. A fact

The Dems rarely if ever seem to be willing to stand up for their principals, rather seems like they will do their best to sidestep the issues that are important to their states individually and to the rest of the country and the world overall... They way too often allow the repugs to steer the discourse the their advantage... Wedge issues don't really make any real overall contribution to the well being of anyone.