Watch The Daily Show call out the 'meth labs of democracy'
Seriously, what's the matter with Kansas? asks Jon Stewart
![Jon Stewart](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3XXuk2ananeLsVQDvvNZnU-415-80.jpg)
On Thursday night's Daily Show, Jon Stewart turned his sardonic gaze on the quirky world of state legislatures. With Washington in gridlock, the states are where most of the interesting legislative experimentation is going on in America. Unfortunately, Stewart said, not all boundary-pushing is good. And in these cases, he added, the states are "meth labs of democracy."
What proposed laws are so terrible to earn comparison with Walter White's teeth-melting illicit trade? Stewart first turned to Kansas, where State Rep. Gail Finney (D) introduced a bill to allow parents to spank their children harder — and allow others to administer (literally) bruising corporal punishment, too. If you don't think this is a bad idea, Stewart will try to persuade you otherwise. If you're still not convinced, his bit about former National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski's parenting is pretty amusing. (Real-life spoiler: The bill died in committee.)
The rest of the bills are championed by Republicans. In Missouri, State Rep. Rick Brattin (R) wants parents to be able to opt out of having their children taught evolution. On the local news, a supporter of the bill argued that evolution shouldn't be taught in school because it isn't taught in the bible — an easily mocked point (from, to be fair, a "man on the street") that Stewart dutifully mocked: "Alright, kids, welcome to wood shop. Once again, we will be building an ark."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Next up: Kansas (again). This time, the bill in question would allow public and private employees to refuse to serve same-sex couples if it offends their religious beliefs. Stewart's main joke here was about Business Insider reporter Josh Barro's suggestion that the local baker at a national supermarket chain could refuse to make a wedding cake for gay couples — after waiting so long to get married, Stewart said, no gay couple would "just swing by the Safeway and pick up an Entenmann's."
Not that it matters, Stewart noted, because the Kansas State Senate killed the bill. That's in Kansas. But the Arizona State Senate just approved a similar bill. And really, that's the only one of these bills likely to make it into law (the gay segregation bill passed the Arizona House Thursday evening and now goes to Gov. Jan Brewer's [R] desk).
After poking fun at Kansas and Arizona, Stewart turned to a bunch of food-related stories, told through the prism of his (nonexistent) ritual of a mid-show snack. Don't watch this part if you are unwilling to give up your Subway sandwiches, Kraft Singles, or Hot Pockets. Do watch it if you want to see Stewart attempt a Philadelphia accent:
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Red Speedo: a 'darkly comic' doping drama
The Week Recommends Lucas Hnath's play stars Finn Cole as a 'reptilian' swimmer determined to win at all costs
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
One Aldwych: where London's creative spirit takes centre stage
The Week Recommends This five-star Covent Garden hotel is the epitome of elegant independence
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Charlotte Dujardin and equestrianism's dark side
In the Spotlight Olympic gold medallist and dressage star's suspension over horse whipping brings abuse in horse sports back into the spotlight
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published