If you believe in the United States of America founded by Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, Washington, and the rest of our forefathers, there are several states you should avoid; they don’t believe in your America.

As more states pass legislation attempting to prevent minorities from voting; protect personal religious beliefs and deny equality under the law; work to deny poor women free or affordable reproductive healthcare; and promote hatred of the LGBT community and followers of Islam; they have proven that they no longer are part of our once great nation.

I won’t list them all, but you know them all too well; in fact, many of you may live in one of them.

Texas is on the list, and here is one example for its inclusion.

An openly gay pastor of the Church of Open Doors was shopping at Whole Foods in Austin, Texas. His intention was to purchase a cake for one of his congregation. He pointed to an unmarked cake which had already been frosted. Jordan Brown asked the Whole Foods employee to write on the top “Love Wins.” When he returned to his vehicle, he opened the box and saw three words: “Love Wins F*g.”

Arriving home, Pastor Brown made a call to Whole Foods corporate offices. He left a message on the company voice mail, but never received a phone call in return. He called the store where he purchased the cake, and was directed to Team Leader Geoff Nunez. He was very apologetic and promised to find the culprit.

Two hours later, Nunez called Pastor Jordan, and said that no one at his store had committed the act. This is Pastor Jordan’s reply:

“Pastor Jordan asked Nunez directly, ‘If the bakery associated did not do this, then who wrote this on my cake?’ Nunez responded to the effect of, ‘I don’t know, and we can’t help you,’ and hung up the phone.”

Whole Foods corporate officials did respond, but only to protect Nunez:

“The team member wrote ‘Love Wins’ at the top of the cake as requested by the guest and that’s exactly how the cake was packaged and sold at the store. Our team members do not accept or design bakery orders that include language or images that are offensive. Whole Foods Market has a zero tolerance policy for discrimination.” Really?

Our nation is running backwards. Discrimination in all forms has grown dramatically since the first election of President Obama. Ours is the only developed nation in the world where homophobia, racism, misogyny and religious extremism are rampant.

State laws and the two leading Republican presidential candidates proffer these evils; and it appears to be getting worse.

Ted Cruz is far less vocal, but cannot deny that he shares many of Trump’s views. When Trump professes hatred for Hispanics and Muslims, he is proving his lack of belief in American ideals. He cannot claim to speak for all Americans, only those who support him and share his bigoted views.

Corporations and sports entities are rebuking many of these states for their obvious hatred of the LGBT community. The governors of these states are reconsidering their legislation, fully aware that not to do so will cost their states tens of millions of dollars in revenue.

“Money talks,” and you know the rest.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of Kimberly Vardeman

Read James Turnage at http://www.amazon.com/By-James-turnage/e/B00LOCJ2Z2