EDITORIAL: 2011 Legislature: Divisive, shameful.(Editorial)

May 08--More than a week after the 2011 session of the Indiana General Assembly, Hoosiers should still be left shaken by the image of a school-yard battle between well-dressed, adult legislators.

Here's the image: The bullies (Republicans in control of the House, Senate and governor's office) throwing their weight around to get their way, while their weaker classmates (Democrats) tried to slow down the charge and blunt it where they could.

The Republicans had some good ideas and based on vote totals from the 2010 election, support from a majority of Hoosiers to implement them. Their campaign agenda included school reform and fiscal restraint, ideas embraced by …