Munsil: Liberal Governor Believes No-Fault Divorce Benefits Society

NEWS & ANALYSIS

Liberal Governor Thinks No-Fault Divorce Benefits Society

By Len Munsil, President and CEO, Center for Arizona Policy
April 20, 2005

On Tuesday, Gov. Janet Napolitano vetoed another CAP-initiated and lobbied bill, Senate Bill 1145, which would have allowed judges to consider claims of marital misconduct when dividing property during divorce proceedings.

Obviously Gov. Napolitano considered this an attack on our failed "no fault divorce" laws -- the final line of her veto message puts her firmly in the "easy divorce" camp: "Arizona made a wise decision to move to no-fault divorce in the 1970s and I see no basis for moving our law backward 30 years."

While this bill did not directly affect no-fault divorce, it is amazing that Gov. Napolitano still thinks moving to no-fault divorce was a "wise decision." After 30 years of exploding divorce rates and the adverse effect on the health, safety and finances of women and children as a result, you would think the governor would be willing to reconsider.

Ironically, Gov. Napolitano sent out an excellent message in support of domestic violence shelters that provide a haven for women and children, many of whom are suffering from the very "marital misconduct" the governor thinks judges must ignore.

The 'Phoenix Group'

Guess who's in Scottsdale plotting strategy? George Soros, the left-wing billionaire who apparently has made only one major investment that failed -- John Kerry.

Soros, who personally gave $23 million (that we know of) to liberal think-tanks and policy groups last election cycle, has gathered 70 liberal millionaires and billionaires to figure out how to combat conservative groups like ours. The three-part purpose of this top-secret gathering, which unfortunately is being dubbed "The Phoenix Group," is to provide funding for liberal think tanks, create training camps for young progressives and fund liberal media centers.

As if the left doesn't have enough money and enough media! If there are any conservative millionaires or billionaires who want to meet in Scottsdale to organize funding for conservative think-tanks, give me a call -- we'll provide the coffee! "The Scottsdale Group" has a nice ring to it . . .

Judicial Reform

Momentum for judicial reform continues to grow as debate heats up nationally on the out-of-control activist judiciary. It's as if mainstream America has awakened after a 40-year slumber to realize our right to self-government has been taken away by unelected judges.

The current skirmish over Senate rules is just one front in the battle. For information on how you can be involved in fighting judicial activism, please sign up for a national teleconference hosted by Family Research Council this Sunday night, featuring Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist. Go to www.frc.org for more information on how you can participate.