The Critical Issue

On their first day in office, officials dig right in to The Critical Issue.

Donnie ignored tens of thousands of feminist protesters marching in D.C. on Jan 21, 2021 to issue the infamous Muslim Travel Ban. It clogged airports for a while until it was declared illegal.

Kevin McCarthy ignored inflation, illegal immigration, and rampant crime (the issues that his party ran on) to establish a Congressional Committee to investigate the “weaponization of government against conservatives” and to cut funding for the IRS. Evidently, Republicans know the secret phone number that the IRS actually answers if you have to call with a question about your tax return. The rest of us must suffer through Kenny G on “call waiting” for hours on end.

The Missouri State Legisalature outdid Donnie and Kevin. It dedicated its first day in office last week to The Critical Issue Of Our Times — bare, naked arms on female legislators. After significant debate, “Show Me State” solons adopted a Dress Code for female (only) legislators.

It states, “Proper attire for women shall be business attire including jackets worn with dresses, skirts or slacks, and dress shoes or boots.” The debate centered on whether a sweater, cardigan or other, can substitute for a “jacket”. Those unprofessional exposed arms and shoulders are well-covered by a typical cardigan in the rest of the world, but that does not cut it in Missouri. Wear a blazer or a suit coat or risk being sent home to change into proper attire, Missy!

Missouri legislators had time to delve into the Great Cardigan Sweater Debate of 2023 because they passed their anti-abortion act in 2022. Abortions are permitted only in case of medical emergency. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. Missourians who travel outside the state for an abortion are committing a crime. Abortion providers are subject to a 5 to 15 year prison sentence.

Missouri legislators severely punish scofflaws. They did not specify the penalty for a female (and only a female) legislator salaciously exposing her bare, naked arms to the lustful view of her otherwise God-fearing (male) peers. Based on the punishment they exact from a rape victim who crosses to Illinois to obtain “Plan B” or a doctor who performs a D&C so a woman does not have to carry an ectopic pregnancy to term, I would be very careful about wearing a sheath dress to work at the state capitol.

By Ed Dufton