Update: This Bluestem Post--Looking a gift Little Pony in the mouth: Are Parry's pals poster kids for privatization's perils? documents far more serious and expensive GOP numbskullery. Highly recommended that you click on the link! [end update]
The Post Bulletin described Friday's Not Tax Day Tea Party Rally speaker Steve Drazkowski:
Two well-known Republicans will take the stage Friday for the Rochester Tea Party Patriots' third annual Tax Day Rally. . . .
Also expected to speak is Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, one of the most conservative members of the GOP House.
Drazkowski isn't particularly as well-known for principled conservatism as for his deep thinking on policy. Witness his plan to cut down walnut trees in state parks or the bill to end the Pay Equity Act.
But a YouTube just released by AFSCME Council 5 of a statement The Draz made to public employees on March 22 during a members Day on The Hill visit may be the best illustration of Draz as rocket scientist.
He recommends a plan to cut staffing by the use of an electronic system similar to baby monitors because, you know, those vulnerable people in home or group living situations sleep at night. The looks on the faces in the YouTube of those who've actually done this sort of work tells it all.
This may be another moment where the venacular wisdom shared by ordinary working people trumps numbskullery talking points by the likes of the Draz. Working as an aide for vulnerable adults and children is a job many people hold while putting themselves through school or work in small town nursing homes. Friends who've staffed the shift for these jobs rarely talked about quiet nights, though they might get in a couple hours of studying.
The workers are there for reason, and cutting staff in favor of monitoring systems? It may be one of the more out-of-touch statements since Tom Emmer said lots of wait staff pull down over $100,000 a year.
Update #2: The Uptake has more in Would “baby monitors” eliminate home care jobs?
Update: The comments about the video on the Minnesota Nurses Association Facebook page, from people who've worked these jobs, are priceless.
Photo: Steve Drazkowski's, Mazeppa's own resident rocket scientist. Only in Drazistan are rural values this silly.
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