Those silly distractions are popping up

An editorial in last Sunday's Free Press notes that with the state budget done early the legislature may be tempted to spend time in distractions. There are plenty of legitimate concerns for them to tackle (the economy is still a mess in the state) or it might be appropriate to make the legislature part time. The distractions the Freep lists are:

* The phony war on immigrants. A bill similar to the draconian one in Arizona has been introduced even as the state's declining immigrant population can't be so easily used as scapegoats for our economic mess.

* The tiresome war on abortion. Legislators in both parties fear Right to Life's ability to mobilize voters, especially in low-turnout primary races.

* The annoying war on universities. That early budget takes swipes at both gays and stem cell research. Gov. Snyder's advisors have dismissed both ad unconstitutional and unenforceable.

* The divisive war on unions. Snyder recognizes that attacks on unions (like prohibiting contracts that enroll members in the union when they are employed) would create labor unrest and discourage potential employers.

* The perennial war on divorce. A proposal would limit a judge's discretion to divide property.

They all confirm that the GOP is in power.