"THE RIGHT'S NEW APPROACH TO EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION "

[Cha]

.... Neal Boortz, a far-right radio host, argued today, "If Obama is hurting your business, and you have to lay off someone, why not lay off an Obama voter? They contributed to your problem." Boortz added, "Why should you have to provide a livelihood to someone actively working to destroy your business?"

Now, as a matter of reality, the notion that President Obama might be hurting businesses is quite foolish. It was, after all, the president's policies that rescued the economy and generated growth and job creation. I don't know what Boortz is whining about.

But it's this notion that conservative employers should fire Democratic employees that seems insane -- and illegal. That it may actually be happening is especially disconcerting.

Last Friday, someone going by the name "dermdoc" posted a thread on a message board for Texas A&M students and alumni with this topic: "Laid off my first Obama voting employee today."*

"Our reimbursement rates are spiraling downward, taxes are projected to go up with Obamacare, so I did it," the person wrote. He later added: "I made this decision because I can."

"It is kind of interesting watching their face as you explain to them the economic consequences of the policies of the guy they voted for," wrote dermdoc. <...>

"Elections have consequences," wrote dermdoc. "If you vote for someone who raises my taxes and lowers my income, you pay the cost."


Obviously, as a substantive matter, this doesn't make any sense. As a legal matter, it's a crime to fire an employee based on how he or she voted.

But there's also the larger context to consider -- in 2010, we're reaching a point in which a right-wing doctor doesn't want to treat Democratic patients, and right-wing employer doesn't want to keep Democratic workers on the payroll.*

The Republican culture is taking on a vaguely repressive, totalitarian worldview.

—Steve Benen 2:05 PM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (52)
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

* I sure as hell wouldn't want an idiot for a Dr or an employer..so who's the winner here?

We have imbeciles who thrive on hate and greed as enemies..whatever happened to worthy opponents?

[namahage]

1. Unfortunately, what "dermdoc" did,

assuming he actually did it, is not illegal.

First, Texas is an "at-will" employment state--meaning that unless there was unlawful discrimination, the employer can terminate the employee for whatever reason--or no reason, just as an employee can quit without notice or justification.

Note that it needs to be unlawful discrimination. Was there discrimination? Of course. But there are only a few categories which fall under "unlawful"--Title VII spells them out (race, color, religion, national origin, sex), as do the ADA and the ADEA (covering disability and age). Individual states might have additional state laws--CA, for instance, has specific labor laws that prohibit attempts to "control or direct" political affiliations. Think Texas has such a law?

That said, even if "dermdoc" actually did this--and I'm thinking the guy probably isn't even a manager, let alone have the authority to fire anyone IRL--he's just demonstrating his stellar business acumen which allows him to waste time on message boards.

[Cha]

2. I was thinking he's an

ignorant, teabaggin' dermatologist.

[namahage]

3. Nothing here contradicts that. I find that description quite plausible, indeed. (n/t)

[namahage]

4. He's either a troll or an idiot. Here, a distinction without appreciable difference. n/t

[CTLawGuy]

5. right

and even if it were illegal, it would certainly not be a crime.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

6. Talk about hypocritical!

Things like this make their protestations against tyranny, Socialism, and exhortations for "freedom" ring even more hollow. I guess people exercising their "freedom" to vote their conscience is good only insofar as they choose the "right" candidate for elected office-at least according to the political affiliation and wishes of their ministers, doctors, employers, etc. "Freedom" indeed! :eyes:

[Cha]

7. The gNOp just needs to go with

Hypocrites R Us..and forget about all that euphemistic Orwellian teabag crap.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

8. That's what they seem to be best at. Hypocrisy is thy name

The INSTANT they begin to accuse the Democrats of something....WHATEVER it is, I KNOW that they are actually indicting themselves for the same things. They are nothing if not the MASTERS of projection and hypocrisy.