Mike Pence: "Discrimination or Nothing!" Paper: "STFU"

Rep. Mike Pence calls himself “a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order.” This isn't surprising - people with extremist views like to see themselves as being part of their extremism before they're anything else. It also lends an air of "oh-what-a-damn-surprise" to his vote against Head Start. Why would he vote against it? Why, because the money it gives couldn't be given to programs that discriminate.

Thankfully, the Richmond Palladium-Item realizes that Pence is a jackass for his vote, and calls him on it:

But Pence's objections, like those of the White House, are troubling to us because they grant faith-based organizations the right to practice discrimination at the same time they receive federal funds.

Specifically, the White House, Pence and a few other conservatives sought language that would allow religious groups receiving federal money to administer Head Start programs to hire or fire staffers based on religious affiliations.

Now, let us be clear in our belief that religious groups and organizations should be permitted to place religious tests on whomever they choose to hire or fire without interference from government.

So long as they are using their own money.

Therein lies the problem. A higher or at least more public standard needs to be met when tax dollars are at stake, as they are in this case.