Arizona Republicans Move To Create A State-Run Bank

Brace yourself -- right-wing extremists in Arizona have swung so far right, they've crossed into the Leftern nether regions.

Evidence is shown by Arizona state Rep. John Fillmore, R-Apache Junction, who just introduced a bill calling for the establishment of a state-run bank in Arizona. A state commission would operate the bank, which would be called The Bank of Arizona.

It's hard to believe that HB 2221 actually exists. Arizona Republicans - whose platform stands on limited government, privatization and "don't nobody mess with my privately-owned business not even taxes" - want to create a state-run bank.

During the election last year, Fillmore, who now wants a state-run bank, described himself as "an ardent small government conservative."

Hmmm...

It's ironic that a supporter of small government is proposing a bill that would grant the government more power over the financial sector.

Republicans cringe at the thought of the new federal health care law and Fillmore favors cuts to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. Additionally, Gov. Jan Brewer, has made the largest cuts to education in state history, which have increased class sizes and fired school teachers.

Yet, here is Rep. Fillmore, who is a federal health care law opponent, wanting to implement a state-owned bank. Isn't this the same party who complained about big government interference in Wall Street? The same party who complained about the bailout of Detroit automakers?

Oh, the irony.

So much for the principles of the Grand Ol' Party.