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While the world's economy continues to collapse - brought about by lack of regulation over unscrupulous lenders - our state lawmakers opened up the floodgates that would allow for-profit credit-counseling firms into the state.
Meanwhile, they managed to drop the ball on a health-insurance package that would have provided coverage for thousands of uninsured Pennsylvanians. They were more concerned with regulating puppy mills - certainly a good cause, but a questionable priority with so many other critical issues on a shortened schedule.
And then, just because this wasn't bad enough, they also passed a bill described as a "tough crime measure." Sure, a few aspects of a new gun measure are important. One would lengthen the statute of limitations on straw purchases of guns. Another calls for a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence for anyone who fires a gun at a police officer.
This is a welcome law. Too many officers in this city have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
But those good aspects of the bill seems to be the shiny objects meant to distract us from the NRA-laced lard in the rest of the bill. For example: this law allows people in the state to carry a gun into and around a state park. And because this coincides with a recent act of Congress about to become law that allows people to tote guns into federal parks if they're in a state that allows guns in state parks, we can now look forward to armed tourists wandering around the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and other federal parks in the state.
What's next? Bring-your-gun-to-work day?
Another provision provides for a new emergency gun license that would grant applicants the right to carry a concealed weapon for 90 days if they fear for they safety. Sheriffs will be able to issue temporary licenses to carry a concealed weapon. Those receiving licenses must be eligible to possess a firearm, but the background checks will be expedited.
This is supposed to be helping domestic-abuse victims, but the PA. Coalition Against Domestic Violence opposed the bill, fearing that people will resort to violence instead of filing protection orders.
We see this as a back door way to increase the gun-toting population. No one will be monitoring those temporary permits when they expire.
Meanwhile, the Legislature balked at pushing for mandatory reporting of lost and stolen guns.
Why should people be able to carry guns into parks when they can't carry them into the Statehouse? You may as well ask why lawmakers have gold-plated health-care coverage-many for life - while so many have none.
But they're no longer in Harrisburg to answer that. They've broken early to campaign for re-election. *
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