By Nijan Datar
Senator Jamie Eldridge has introduced Senate Bill S2134 “An Act promoting the civil rights and inclusion of American Muslims in the commonwealth”.
It begs the question: Why aren’t existing civil rights laws adequate to handle whatever real or imagined problems this bill is supposed to handle? Why exactly is there a carve-out for a specific religion?
This bill seems to veer very close to being unconstitutional. Why am I (a non-Muslim) being forced to pay for this? Even though the commissioners are largely uncompensated, the new office will have a paid executive director as well as employees, so my tax dollars are involved. And like all bureaucracies, this one will never die, and likely will only get bigger.
More insidiously, in addition to several objectionable items, this commission will “identify and recommend qualified American Muslims for appointive positions at all levels of government”.
How is it right that the Massachusetts State government puts its thumb on the scale in favor of American Muslims? Which qualified non-Muslim must pay the price?
Article VI, Clause 3 of the U.S Constitution states, in part: “…no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States“.
This is a dangerous and potentially unconstitutional bill that should be strongly opposed by all. I urge you to contact your State Representative and even Sen. Eldridge to voice your opposition.
You can read the full text here.
This is just one more example of how Jamie Eldridge is trying to dismantle the American way of life in which we have grown up in. He is a communist at heart. God for forbid this Bill passes, Muslims gain majority power, they will discard all of the useful idiots including Jamie, the US Constitution and Sharia will become law. That is exactly what Jamie is supporting.
Okay, we can complain all we want about Jamie now, but he has an opponent in the Middlesex-Worcester District. So if you live in that district, you can send him packing in November. Vote!
I welcome any and all support and your vote if you reside in the Middlesex and Worcester District. I am running as a compassionate conservative relying on commonsense policies and am working to defeat Eldridge http://Www.votetimshea.com
Hi Tim, thanks for running against Jamie Eldridge. I went to your website to donate money, but there is only a way to send you a message and no obvious way to donate money. Let me know if I missed something.
Thanks for checking out my website. My website is in the process of being connected to WinRed but in the meantime if you want to donate then you could mail a check to
Committee to Elect J Timothy Shea
118 Parker Street
Unit 26
Acton, MA 01720
Or I would be happy to meet you someplace to pickup any check. Thanks very much for whatever support you can provide. Regards, Tim Shea
timshea12@hotmail.com or 781-526-0334
Nijan, I was told that my donate button on my campaign website is now operational. Let me know if you have any issues or questions. Thanks again for whatever support you can provide. I am happy to chat with you if you so choose at a time and location that works for you and any others you might want to join you. Regards, Tim Shea
Hi Tim, I put the donation in my mailbox this morning before I saw your post here.
Thanks for bringing attention to this ridiculous bill, Nijan. It would seem to violate the First (favoring one religion over another) and Fourteenth (equal protection) Amendments of the US Constitution. I suspect Eldridge and other progressives in state government are well aware of this, but they will pass it and sign it into law and wait for the lawsuits.
Nijan, your comments are especially on-point. The Constitution forbids religious tests and government bureaucracies never go away, they just get bigger. This bill will grant special privilege to a select group of individuals and it is another example of out-of-control DEI. What problem is this fixing?
Thank you, Nijan. Over America’s history, many NGO’s have formed to advocate for oppressed groups, such as LGBTQ folks, Jews, Blacks, Catholics, newly-arriving Irish, and others, without using taxpayers’ dollars or governmental encroachment. Two well-known ones are the NAACP and the JDL. The proper role of government, as you and Article VI mention, should be to ensure equal opportunities and civil rights for all citizens, and condemn hate speech against any group. This bill is just another one of many solutions in search of a problem hatched from the mind of a Senator who is always looking for new ways to spend money-when it’s someone else’s money, that is. I urge the state senate to reject this attempted misuse of taxpayer funds and governmental favoritism.
it sounds unconstitutional. who is in opposition to this?
Why am I, someone whose house is NOT on fire, paying for a fire department??
Wrong analogy, Jaye. A better analogy is “why am I, a Muslim whose house is not on fire, paying for a fire department? That payment should be reserved for non-Muslims.”
I don’t have children, should I not pay for the schools?
Again, you are missing the main point. The issue is not about government expenditures that are neutral in their object (and I have many disagreements with how the government spends our money). This issue is about one religion being given special privileges in government jobs. Don’t know if you are trolling, or if you genuinely don’t see the difference.