Missouri Republican Suggests We Return to Community Values of 1820s. A Reminder of What's Changed

Preserving the rich cultural heritage of a state can guide many lawmakers to look at the past for a point of reference of how to build their state going forward.  Missouri Jeff Pogue, R-Salem, may have taken this nostalgia just a bit too far.
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“I’m wanting to protect the social norms of our state, the same social norms that have operated in our state since the organization of Missouri in 1820,” Pogue said in an email. “These Missourian cultural rules, the status quo, are nearly 200 years old, and have operated well throughout our state.”

Pogue said in a statement that if the state “were to change a social norm of this magnitude,” the General Assembly or voters should make the decision, through a bill or a ballot measure. The result should apply statewide, he said.

Rep. Pogue's big issue?  It's this sign:

Proposing that state funding should be denied for any unisex bathroom - unless it is a single stall - Rep. Pogue points out that tradition deserves to be protected.

Rep. Pogue has also proposed this piece of legislation, which goes one step farther, by announcing it will remove funding from any "project, program, or policy that creates or attempts to create a gender-neutral environment."

No word as to how this would impact universities that have co-ed dormitories - something that existed when I was in college some time ago.

Because of the proud cultural history and the need to uphold the past, I think it is important to remember the significant social issues of 1820 and beyond in Missouri. READ MORE