State Representative Warren Chisum (R-Pampa) plans to submit a bill at the next legislative session that would force Texans to wait 2 years to get a divorce unless they take a class designed to save their marriage.  Chisum was quoted in today’s Austin American Statesman, “If this saves one marriage, it’ll be fine by me.”

The Proposal calls for coursework of 10 hours within a two-day period.  Lutheran Social Services of the South Inc. is responsible for a 30 county area in Central Texas.  Cases involving domestic violence will grant a divorce in 60 days.

It’s good to know Representative Chisum is fine with saving one marriage at the expense of what will probably be thousands of Texans.  What with the additional attorney fees paid by citizens to deal with children and property issues during a 2 year wait for a divorce and the additional protective order motions that will be filed and the expenses of the classes paid by the citizens of Texas, the one marriage that Mr. Chisum is “fine” with saving makes perfect fiscal sense and justifies the liberal proposition of state involvement in private affairs. 

Perhaps Mr. Chisum can further demonstrate his liberal tendencies by requiring people, who are about to get married, take a course in marriage.  Wait, he introduced that liberal bill during the last legislative session.  And it  becomes law this September  1.  But more on that later.

I wonder what would Newt Gingrich would say.