Times are tough for the Republican Party at the moment. Having come off a string of electoral losses, the GOP is currently in the midst of an all-out effort to re-brand itself as a viable political force in which Democrats now control nearly every branch of government.
So how do they go about showing that they have new ideas and a vision that can move the country forward?
Apparently by re-introducing constitutional amendments that have repeatedly failed to go anywhere in the past.
First up, Rep. Paul Broun:
U.S. Rep. Paul Broun will re-introduce a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in the wake of recent votes and court decisions legalizing the practice in at least five states.
The amendment is a sign that battles over whether to allow same-sex marriage will continue to rage, even as state courts and legislatures overturn bans.
…
Up until a year ago, Broun had said that he opposed gay marriage, but also opposed amending the U.S. Constitution on the grounds that state constitutions are easier to change.
Sen. David Vitter also seems to be getting in on the “back to the future” re-branding effort with his own throwback amendment:
Following a three year absence, a flag protection amendment has returned to the United States Senate. On May 6, U.S. Senator David Vitter [R-LA], along with 17 colleagues, introduced Senate Joint Resolution 15, a constitutional amendment to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States. The language of the amendment is concise: “The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.”
And people say the GOP is bereft of new ideas.
