State Representative John Maher Strikes Again, Another Affront to the Citizenry

The Pennsylvania General Assembly never ceases to fascinate and confound. Just when it seems that the it cannot be any more dysfunctional and offensive than it is, it proves us wrong.
I want to be sure that my fellow Pennsylvanians are aware of the latest shenanigans and treachery engaged in by this "august" body, a nod to the National Rifle Association, its many powerful lobbyists, and its members and followers as it slaps the general public in the face.
The State House approved by a lopsided margin of 157-39 an amendment designating the long rifle as the state’s official firearm.  Who in God's name needs an official firearm? Was there a clamor for this vote from the public at large, a yearning to recognize the long rifle as a state symbol? This foolishness is what the members spend their time on while leaving unresolved the privatization of liquor sales, the looming pension fund shortfall calamity, property tax reform, this year's budget (which is due June 30) and how to plug its $1.2 billion shortfall, education funding, and a tax on Marcellus Shale drilling companies? I am not often an admirer of longtime Philadelphia Democratic House member Mark Cohen, but today I look up to him as a leader of stature and good sense.  He had it exactly right, properly labeling the measure to name the state's official firearm as a “distraction” and calling on the members to vote against it so as to demonstrate sensitivity to the loss of human life that is inflicted on us through the gun culture to which many Pennsylvanians cling.
I suppose that in a body which seeks a middle of the night pay grab, which retroactively enhances its pensions by 50% while failing to fund the largesse, and which unanimously approves designation of “The Year of the Bible”, seeking to co-mingle government with religion, no act of overreach or audaciousness should surprise us.  Sadly, my Representative, John Maher, voted for all of these anti-citizen measures along with demonstrating his affection for the long rifle. Our elected officials have  taken leave of their senses and their decency...again.  It should be prominently noted that although almost all Republicans voted for the firearm designation measure, that this was largely an act of bipartisan betrayal.  Is this what we sent these characters to Harrisburg to do? Obviously, we should adopt a system of governance such as that which has been successful in other states, one in which the members have no time to deal with inanity and must put their nose to the grindstone to deal with the legitimate issues that affect Pennsylvanians every day.
Congratulations to the members of the State House!  Through the abuse of your positions and a lack of understanding of your proper roles, you have brought unfavorable attention to Pennsylvania once again and abundantly demonstrated why you are a laughingstock!