At the first GOP presidential debate at the Reagan Library, Tommy Thompson was asked, “If a private employer finds homosexuality immoral, should he be allowed to fire a gay worker?”
It’s a great question which gets to the heart of the debate on what role, if any, the federal government should have in the private employment relationship between a willing employer and a willing employee. It’s not a matter of whether it’s “right” or “wrong,” but whether or not it’s constitutional.
Thompson got it right when he replied, “I think that is left up to the individual business. I really sincerely believe that that is an issue that business people have got to make their own determination as to whether or not they should be.”
Personally, I couldn’t care less if someone I work with is a little light in the loafers; however, I defend an private employer’s right…even though they’re wrong…to hire and fire whomever they choose for whatever reason without incurring the wrath of the all-powerful federal government. And it was certainly refreshing to hear Tommy Thompson give such a quintessentially Goldwateresque response to the question.
Alas, it was all too good to be true. Indeed, it turns out Thompson was suffering from some form of jungle fever or something which caused him to inadvertently spout out a pure pro-liberty response.
“Tommy Thompson cited a dead hearing aid and an urgent need to use the bathroom in explaining Saturday why he said at a GOP presidential debate that an employer should be allowed to fire a gay worker,” reports the Associated Press. “Speaking to reporters after giving an address at the state GOP convention, Thompson also said he was suffering from the flu and bronchitis and had been admitted to a hospital emergency room three days prior to the May 3 debate.”
I’m betting Thompson was the kinda kid who blamed the dog for eating his homework.
The search for a deserving heir to the Founding Fathers continues…
Posted on May 16th, 2007 by Chuck Muth
Filed under: National
If only Mr. Thompson had the courage to be right, as in this case, and stand his ground without apologies and excuses.
This country NEEDS the Goldwater/Reagan ticket. Nevermind they are both deceased. Their recorded speeches and writings have already answered all the Presidential/VicePresidential questions that would logically arise in an 8 year term. When they’re through, REVERSE the TICKET and run ‘em again for another 8!
If something comes up that historians cannot answer definitively from their documentary record, refer it to Ron Paul.
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