I have to return some videotapes.

fluffmugger:

AP) — Washington — President Barack Obama today threw his support behind a bill that would make it illegal for anyone who has been to church for any reason other than weddings or funerals to vote.

“This is not the Soviet Union,” Obama said. “This is America - where employers have the right to place restrictions on their employees’ activities. The government is, by far, the largest employer in America and we expect the same rights as any other large business.”

Democratic lawmakers said they were inspired to introduce the bill after the State Of Arizona began considering a law that would allow companies to fire a woman who used hormonal contraception for birth control, instead of other medical reasons.

The GOP has said their law would stand up to legal challenge because they are a right to work state - and women who choose to use contraception for birth control reasons have the right to simply exit the workforce. In effect, GOP lawmakers have said, they have chosen to prioritize the right to recreational sex over their careers.

“Well,” Obama said. “The United States Of America is a right to vote country. And our citizens are free to give up their right to vote if going to their church, mosque or synagogue is more important to them. That is their choice.”

Obama and congressional leaders noted that through federal and state projects, public schools and universities, police and fire departments, national park services, the armed services, Social Security and Medicare and other programs, the government employs or financially compensates far more people than any other organization in the country.

“The United States is a company,” Obama said. “And companies are people. And surely people can choose who they want to interact with and invite to participate in their rituals. Elections are one of this country’s most cherished rituals, and forcing America to allow people who go to church to vote surely violates the nation’s civil liberties.”