Apparently, collective bargaining rights of public school teachers is NOT #1 priority for Ross Paustian, a Republican in the Iowa House.
During a debate, Des Moines Register reporter Brianne Pfannenstiel caught the lawmaker engrossed in some reading material that made it to the debate, you know, in case anyone got bored. The reading material? Sex After Sixty.
OK. So they claim it was a “gag gift.” However, look at that full attention he’s giving that book during the debate! Too bad it’s not on the issues at hand, right?
Paustian is teetering on the edge of turning 60, and that could be on his mind. He defended and then tried to deflect his choice in reading material on to his buddy Robert Bacon (also Republican) and claimed it was a gag gift. He swears he was paying attention and knew what was going on though:
“The main thing is, I was totally engaged in what was going on on the floor … I know what was going on. I knew how we were going to vote on amendments. So it wasn’t like I wasn’t paying attention to what was going on.”
The Republican men in the Iowa House have some major concerns. Gag gift my big toe. I applaud them for being open minded enough to consult a self-help book (I’m trying to keep the straightest face and be serious… I promise). However, next time you might want to at least read something that will make the public think you at least LOOK intelligent especially if you aren’t going to pay attention to the debate you’re sitting in.
Paustian’s lack of attention may or may not be a good thing for teachers in Iowa; however, if he’s married, Mrs. Paustian might remain one lucky lady as her husband ages.
h/t to Liberals Unite for this piece of awesome.
