GOP Creationist Candidates in Illinois Pushing the New Talking Point
In this political silly season, the Republican Party has been developing a new talking point intended to help sneak creationism into public schools; they’re trying to hitch a ride on the Tea Party’s “limited government” bandwagon, and pushing the idea that local schools should be able to teach creationism if they choose, without interference from the big bad feds. And with a deceptive, twisted irony, they often cast this as being in favor of the best education for America’s kids.
This was Christine O’Donnell’s point when she said recently that local public schools should be allowed to teach creationism as “an equal theory” to evolution.
Greg Laden points out that both the GOP candidate for Governor of Illinois and a Congressional candidate in an important swing district are pushing the same meme: Citizens of Illinois: Alert! Alert! Creationist Alert!
The current leading candidate in the Illinois Governor’s race, State Senator Bill Brady, has acknowledged his belief in intelligent design and his willingness to permit individual school districts to allow it to be taught. Teaching ID in schools isn’t a top campaign issue and doesn’t get addressed in debates, but the outcome of this election could mean a disastrous turning point for Illinois schools and science in general. The situation in Illinois is such that if Sen. Brady wins, many school districts in the southern half of the state may pursue teaching creationism in schools.
Also, in a Congressional race in the very large 14th district, State Senator Randy Hultgren is challenging Congressman Bill Foster in an extremely tight contest. Congressman Foster is currently one of only 3 physicists in Congress. (The others are Vernon Ehlers of Michigan who is retiring, and Rush Holt of New Jersey who is in a close race.) This seat has been targeted by the Republican Congressional Committee and the Tea Party for takeover. It is a swing district (previously held by former House Speaker Dennis Hastert) and if Congressman Foster loses, it will be tough to win this seat back. This clip shows Hultgren stating his belief in intelligent design and willingness to allow school districts to permit it.