Marriage

It should come as no surprise that California's High Court struck down the gay marriage ban. More than 60% of Californians said they wanted marriage defined as between one man and one woman, but the appointed judges knew better. It's interesting to listen and watch the nation wide outrage at, yet another, "legislative" act decided by appointed judges, ruling from the bench. After all, the majority of voters in California have spoken, yet the mighty Supreme Court Justices showed those voters a thing or two.

Back home again in Indiana, we know what the Californians are going through. Every poll ever taken on the subject shows that nearly 70% of Hoosiers believe that marriage should be defined as between one man and one woman. Yet, in the last Indiana legislative session, it took only ONE man to stand between what the majority of Hoosiers wanted and the will of the people. House Speaker, Pat Bauer, decided that he, alone, would kill any chance for Indiana to have a Constitutional Amendment protecting marriage. The only difference between what happened there and here is how many people it took to defeat the will of the people.

What is "change"?

It's been fascinating to watch and listen to the Presidential candidates talk about "change". Barack Obama is basing his entire campaign on "change". I'm not sure if he's talking about "change" for the sake of "change" or what, because he's never really spelled out what exactly he would do to "change" anything in this country.

But, it's equally interesting to read the editorials of several newspapers around Indiana. In Northern Indiana, the newspaper tone has been instructing it's faithful readers to "embrace change" and to vote against Hoosier incumbents in November. Is that "change" for the sake of "change"? As a legislator, I've been involved in helping move Indiana forward in many areas. Indiana now leads the Midwest in job creation, we have our own "Big 3" auto makers, employing thousands of Hoosiers. Our State has gone from bankrupt to having a cash balance on hand. We went from one of the worst child abuse States to one of the best in child protection. These "changes" weren't easy.

In fact, many Hoosiers say the "changes" in Indiana have been too many and too quick. Yet, on Tuesday millions of Hoosiers voted for "change" at the national level. If, in Indiana, "change" has meant to make government smaller, create jobs, get tough on child abuse and reform an archaic tax system...and it hasn't been popular...what are Hoosiers voting for that will be popular?

The only logical answer is that there is a ground swell of Hoosiers that have decided they want what the Presidential candidates are promising: bigger government with lots of new entitlement programs; higher taxes on hard working, middle class Hoosiers; escalating gas and food prices; socialized medicine which devalues quality care; all delivered with a huge smile that says, "you asked for it...you got it"!

Election Day!

Thank God, it's Election Day! You're thinking, "Amen!” right? No, I'm serious! Voting is an exercise of freedom and we're not only a free nation but a free people. I do thank God not only for our freedom but also for our liberty!

There isn't a nation on the face of the earth like America and tonight no matter the outcome, Hoosier Americans have spoken! It doesn't mean we'll all be happy with the outcome, but it does mean an end to those annoying political TV ads! I'm a political junkie and even I am tired of them and completely tuning them out!

In the good old days, political TV ads used to be like the Super Bowl Ads...I couldn't wait to see them, I'd watch for the commercials during regular TV programming. Tonight, I will be celebrating an end to the Hillary vs. Obama rhetoric and thanking God that when the sun comes up tomorrow morning, the real campaign begins!!

Voter ID only makes sense!

Great news today from the U.S. Supreme Court...Indiana's Voter ID law was upheld by a 6-3 vote! Does anybody else see a pattern here? In just a few short months, the ACLU & their Democratic friends have filed several suits including, "Prayer" at the Statehouse, the "In God We Trust" license plate, and now the "Voter ID" law...ALL of which were ruled in OUR favor!! When will it ever dawn on these people that Hoosiers believe in common sense? And Hoosier common sense again prevailed!

Is it not common sense to allow legislators and visiting pastors to pray at the opening of the General Assembly, as it has been since our forefathers founded this State? Uncensored prayer is not just common sense, but constitutionally protected and upheld by the Court. But even though we won that issue, we still CANNOT pray an "uncensored" prayer because one man, the House Speaker, still says, "no".

A few weeks ago, we won the "In God We Trust" plate issue and more than 1.6 million Hoosiers are proudly bearing that plate on their vehicle and now today the Voter ID law. I am proud to have been a co-author on both of those pieces of legislation. They are common sense issues. My district, resoundingly, supported both issues. Maybe we're finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel of the liberal agenda and true conservative, common sense lives on!

Press Release

(STATEHOUSE) April 28, 2008 — The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday upheld Indiana’s law requiring voters to provide photo ID at the polls before they can vote.

The law, which passed through the Republican-led Indiana House of Representatives in 2005, seeks to prevent voter fraud. State Rep. Jackie Walorski co-authored the legislation passed during the 2005 session and is pleased to see it upheld by today’s ruling.

“This is a key ruling on the side of common-sense governance,” stated Rep. Walorski. “Showing a photo ID when casting a ballot is a simple way to curb voter fraud. Photo ID’s are readily available and often are needed to get around in everyday society, whether it is renting a movie, opening a bank account or getting on a plane.

“When I co-authored the legislation in 2005, I had many constituents ask me why they did not have to show identification when voting. They were concerned that just matching a signature in a poll book was not enough security. This provides another layer of protection, while still giving everyone a chance to cast a ballot. I want to ensure that everyone can vote, but only once.”

Certain groups opposed the law, saying that it infringed upon the rights of certain voters, such as the poor, elderly and those from minority groups. However, the law includes provisions for all citizens to receive a free photo identification card issued by the state if they do not already possess one and exempts individuals living in nursing homes where a polling place is located from the requirement to show a photo ID to vote. The law also exempts those who are opposed to being photographed for religious reasons.

There are more than 20 states that require some form of identification to be presented at the polls.

"In God We Trust"

I was delighted to see that our, "In God We Trust" plate withstood the latest ACLU test. It's amazing that 1.6 million Hoosiers would know what's right and not right about a license plate but it took the ACLU to drag, yet another, "God" issue into a Hoosier courtroom. Hoosiers obviously appreciate the reference to God or they wouldn't have responded in near record proportions to the BMV for this plate to be proudly displayed on their vehicle. I see more of those plates, in Northern Indiana, than I do any other plate.

For the next two weeks as Senators Clinton and Obama pound their way through the Hoosier state, I wonder what Obama will think when he sees, "In God We Trust" just about everywhere? Will he still want the votes from those "God fearing" Hoosiers or will he write them off as "bitter and uninformed"?

Refreshing Report

I have a refreshing report! I had the honor of speaking at the University of Notre Dame's Republican Club. This group launched their First Lincoln Day Dinner and brought in more than 70 conservative students. What a night, as some of the best and brightest this nation has to offer, talked about ways to "unite" conservatives. As a model for other college clubs, they brought together not only their Republican Club but also the Pro Life Club and other "values oriented" individuals and groups.

Here's the amazing part: This group, comprised of mostly finance/political science types, opened this event in prayer...actually prayed in "Jesus" name!! (Quite a shock to this legislator, who CANNOT do so on the floor of the Indiana House!) They talked about fiscal responsibility, fiscal conservatism, protecting marriage and other incredible subjects. They were confident, excited and resolute in their desire to keep our nation focused on the very issues that made our country strong.

These students believe that bringing like-minded people together, even if they don't agree on every single issue, will produce a stronger front in fighting the agenda of left-wing liberals. A lesson many like-minded adults can learn from.