The Left Cheek Ass Clown for November, 2015

The choice of the Left- and Right-Cheek Ass Clowns each month is always a difficult task, but I must tell you, Dear Readers, that I was seriously conflicted in my choice of awardee this time. A simple glance at the news reveals teeming throngs of monumentally qualified ass clowns tripping over themselves to clamor for the dishonor. From the horrifying religious bigots and fanatics of Daesh (I'll use this term from now on because it pisses them off) to those at home who scream black and white answers to the very grayest of problems, to certifiable lunatics like Donald Trump*, the field is crowded almost to the point of making it impossible to choose one top candidate.

Almost.

In all the frenzied screaming about terrorism, homeland security, and deadly political/religious fervor, we would hope that those we elect to lead us would remain calm and rational, taking prudent steps to ensure our protection while remaining true to the ideals that shaped us as a country: freedom of speech, assembly, and ... perhaps most importantly at this juncture ... religion. With this in mind, I find it easy to single out one of the worst examples of leadership and Constitutional ignorance I have seen in many years. Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Readers, I give you the Left Cheek Ass Clown for November, 2015

Ohio Governor John Kasich

Earlier this week, in the wild scrum of news reports, accusations, and fervent argument on both the left and right, Governor Kasich advocated the creation of a federal government agency specifically dedicated to the promotion of "Judeo-Christian Values" at home and abroad.

Leaving aside for a moment the fact that Governor Kasich, like most Republicans, has heretofore been a strong advocate of cutting the size of government, it seems interesting that he is now advocating not only creation of a new government agency, but one that is demonstrably unconstitutional given the clear separation of church and state that is a bedrock of our character as a nation. Given that Governor Kasich entertains thoughts of running for president, such a horrendous ignorance of the Constitution should be a major disqualifying factor for any thinking American ... but given that actual thinking is quickly going out of style, I suppose it's no wonder that a certain portion of the population will support this terrible idea.

For his utter ignorance of the Constitution and his willingness to create an agency of the government to spread specific religious beliefs while at the same time favoring reductions of services the government already provides to citizens, Ohio Governor John Kasich is named as the Left Cheek Ass Clown for November, 2015.

Have a good day. Come back tomorrow for Cartoon Saturday. More (and, hopefully, funnier) thoughts then.

Bilbo


* A three-time previous winner of this award, whose advocacy of Nazi-era policies to modern problems alone would have made him a prime candidate.