On the front page of the News & Observer this morning the headline reads, “N.C. to debate religion bill.” To the left of that story is a summary of a story on page 6A that reads, “N.C. could be in running for Volvo plant.” The two stories explain why Governor Pat McCrory came out so adamantly against the so-called freedom of religion bill.
Two years ago, in those heady days when the GOP was so drunk with power that a couple of House members introduced a bill that would establish a state religion, McCrory was loath to criticize anything the legislature was doing. Today, he knows that the more extreme elements of that session threaten his re-election. He’s banking that a growing economy and progress in economic development can bolster his standing. Landing an auto manufacturer would give him serious credibility.
Right now, the car maker looking at North Carolina is Swedish. Sweden is one of the most tolerant nations in the world. The Swedes have long accepted LGBT rights, including same-sex marriage, and have banned discrimination since 1987. They aren’t likely to locate a plant in a state that targets gay people for discrimination–and Pat McCrory knows it.
We’re getting a look at Sen. Harry Brown’s two North Carolinas from a different angle. The one North Carolina wants to cling to the religious conservatism that has long been present in the state but has now been confined primarily to its rural corners. That North Carolina wants to resist change and keep outside influence at bay.
The other North Carolina wants to continue to be a leader in the South and values economic development more than social concerns. That North Carolina wants to see good paying jobs and a revitalized manufacturing sector. Both North Carolinas reside within the Republican Party. We’re about to see which one is dominant.
Thomas Mills is the founder and publisher of PoliticsNC.com. Before beginning PoliticsNC, Thomas spent twenty years as a political and public affairs consultant. Learn more >
NC is not the great state I moved to 35 years ago. I am ashamed of what these fools have wrought.Please bring us out of the darkness we have experienced the last 4 years.
Correction: appears to be cars, not trucks.
Volvo Cars is owned by a Chinese company while the Swedish AB Volvo company makes trucks and construction equipment. Not sure which this article is referring to since it refers to both Sweden and cars. (I work for AB Volvo.) Since the North American HQ is in Greensboro, NC, my hunch would be that they meant trucks.
NCGOP has done such extraordinary damage in just a few short years. They are ruining the UNC-system, trashing primary and secondary education, using religion as a means to end abortion and codify discrimination into law. It’s really unbelievable – and yet… the voters keep voting them in. 2014 election was eye-opening to me, a newby to NC.
Not just religious bigotry putting jobs at risk – who wants to move to a state with such poor educational standards, underpaid teachers, underfunded facilities, etc.? Oh sorry – I forgot the millions going to private and/or religious “academies” to give our kids a “choice” in learning.
In general agreement, except Volvo has been sold to Chinese ownership.
Be careful North Carolina. You might chase away the movie industry!!!
Way to go NC. You want to bring jobs here but you have some lunatics running the asylum that wants to go down the rabbit hole with Indiana. I remember a time when NC was in the SOUTH now they want to be PART of the south. WITH THAT TYPE OF LEGISLATION YOU’LL NEVER LAND ANY CAR COMPANY OR COMPANIES FOR THAT MATTER WILLING TO MOVE HERE. BACK AWAY FROM THE CLIFF IT’S NOT WORTH IT. THE TEATHUGLICANS CLAIM THEY WANT TO HELP NC AND WANT TO BRING BIGGER AND BETTER JOBS HERE, WELL IF YOU DO WHAT INDY DID IT WILL NOT HAPPEN. I BETCHA COMPANIES START A MASS EXODUS IF THEY DID.
I think we know which NC is dominant, Thomas, don’t we? The public magistrates – SSM bill tells us. The Religious Freedom bill tells us. The sacking of Tom Ross and the proposed elimination of the Poverty Center at UNC tells us. The bill to gerrymander Wake County Commission districts tells us. The abortion center regulation law tells us.