Here's what they're hoping for. That you'll see this flurry of action, this hocus and pocus of legislative legerdemain, and mistake it for something of substance. I think we're all too anxious to be seen as doing something. To be seen as doing something fills two needs at the same time. Meaning, a politician's need to posture as a figure of decisive action in a time of confusion and a voter's need to see decisive action in a time of confusion.
Problem is, none of that addresses the cause of the confusion.
Worse, it leaves us more flawed law to contend with. If as a Christian you bemoan this because it prohibits a teacher mom pushing your child toward Jesus, you might note that it also prohibits that teacher from pushing your child toward Buddha, Muhammad or Vishnu. No, what troubles me is the way lawmakers and real people alike-keep reflexively reaching for simple solutions to complex problems. It's as if we lack the will-or attention span for anything deeper. Well, I've got news for you, compadres.