Republicans want to create a red state utopia — by suing teachers

A gavel.
(Image credit: Illustrated | iStock)

Can conservatives sue their way into creating a red state utopia? We might find out soon. Republican legislators in Texas created a model last year with the awful new abortion law that lets private citizens sue abortion providers. Now their colleagues in other GOP-led states seem eager to follow that example.

In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed the "Stop Woke Act" that would let Florida parents sue schools that offered instruction in critical race theory. Another Sunshine State offering — dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill by opponents — would allow similar lawsuits if teachers discuss sexuality and gender issues in the classroom. Over in Oklahoma, parents could sue teachers who promote concepts that violate their students' "closely held religious beliefs."

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Joel Mathis, The Week US

Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.