Some might call that attitude "detached", but I would call it "disdainful."
- They've got nothing but disdain for voters, seeking authorization to override Prop 204 and the requirement to provide AHCCCS coverage for Arizonans with income up to 100% of the federal poverty level...
- They've got nothing but disdain for poor, sick people (somewhat related to the above, and thanks to Donna at Democratic Diva for spotting and highlighting this).
Speaking on KJZZ's (NPR) Here And Now, Eileen Klein, Governor Jan Brewer's Chief of Staff (starting at approximately the 6:45 mark of the audio archive) -
...we need to be using our resources in areas like education and other areas that can help build and grow our state, to make our state more competitive for the long run and unfortunately, while those services are helpful to people in areas like medicaid, they aren't doing anything to help contribute to the growth of the state...Poor people dying for lack of appropriate medical care, like transplants, aren't worthy of consideration; corporations holding their hands out for targeted tax cuts, well, they aren't just supported, they're fast-tracked.
- They've got nothing but disdain for those, like Michael Bloomberg, the Mayor of the City of New York, who have criticized Arizona for making it so easy for people like Jared Loughner to obtain semi-automatic pistols with high-capacity magazines.
Video of how easy it is -
Republican Governor Jan Brewer's response (from Howie Fischer of Capitol Media Services, via the Arizona Daily Sun)?
Gov. Jan Brewer is defending Arizona laws that allow the sale of firearms at gun shows without a background check and forbid cities from imposing such requirements.Apparently, she is such "strong proponent" of guns, that she doesn't let a few dead bodies outside Tucson Safeway get in the way of her slavish devotion to the NRA's blind dogma.
"We believe our laws are fair and just in the state of Arizona,'' the governor said Monday.
Her comments come on the heels of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg releasing videos Monday taken by undercover agents at a Phoenix gun show just 15 days after the Tucson shootings. There, Arizona private investigators hired by New York City were able to purchase weapons not only without a background check but, at least twice, after admitting to sellers they probably would not pass.
Brewer said she had not seen the videos. Nor had she seen Bloomberg's comments.
But the governor said the laws are "something that the Legislature and I decide.''
Last year Brewer signed legislation making Arizona only the third state in the nation to let anyone carry a concealed weapon without a state permit, training and a background check. But Brewer said Monday she remains open to further liberalizing of the state's gun laws.
"I am a strong proponent of the Second Amendment,'' she said.
Welcome to Arizona, the place where many residents want to build a wall to keep Mexican out, but may soon be the place where neighbors want to build a wall to keep Arizonans in.
