As we all know too well, Oklahoma lawmakers love to introduce legislation that appeals to the fears and phobias of their right-wing constituents.
Usually, these bills focus on a single subject (expanding gun rights, prohibiting abortion, banning something at a library, etc.), but in unique and rare situations, they pander to two phobias at once!
For example, a recent bill filed by Dr. Randy Grellner – an Oklahoma lawmaker who proves that any run-of-the-mill dick can become a doctor or legislator – aggressively targets the homeless and immigrants by punishing any person or entity that helps them.
Via a Carla Hinton article in The Oklahoman:
Oklahoma bill could make aiding an undocumented immigrant a felony
…The bill authored by Sen. Randy Gellner, R-Cushing, would make it a felony offense for any non-governmental organization such as a house of worship or other nonprofit to “knowingly or recklessly” provide material support benefiting an undocumented immigrant or asylum seeker in Oklahoma.
In addition to being charged with a felony, the organizations’ officers and members could face a fine of up to $50,000 and up to five years in prison.
See what I mean? Impressive stuff! He’s going after both immigrants and the homeless with one bill. If only he’d found a way to fold in drag queens or public librarians, this could’ve been a rare piece of three-subject pandering. I guess we’ll have to wait for that to happen some other day.
In other news, what a fucking dick, huh?
$50,000 and up to five years in prison for “knowingly or recklessly” helping someone? Even by Oklahoma lawmakers’ standards, that’s just stupid, draconian, and insane.
That being said, I guess it means he can officially remove this blurb on his website about spending his career helping others:
Yep, the doctor who’s lived a life dedicated to helping others is the guy who wants to send people to jail for helping others. Great stuff, huh?
If you’re a fan of that level of irony and hypocrisy, I’d encourage you to check out Dr. Grellner’s campaign website. It contains a treasure trove of hypocritical statements that reflect the opposite of who he really is.
For example, the guy who wants to punish those who help the poor and destitute claims to be a hardcore proponent of Christian values and common sense:
It’s been a few years since I went to Vacation Bible School, but can someone point me to the passage where Jesus talks about how you should deny aid to the homeless based on what country they’re from? Was it in one of those deleted books that crazy dude from Massachusetts sent to all the school districts?
Anyway, you can read more about this bill and how it would drastically impact Oklahoma’s nonprofits over at The Oklahoman. I honestly have no clue if this thing has a real chance of becoming law, but I’m going to cling to a fragile sliver of hope in humanity and say it doesn’t.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
