It's ironic that as we get near the Independence Day holiday, state legislatures across the country have passed laws that have an alarming trend of denying people rights. I know we joke about that in Texas, but when you see the trend on a national stage it's a little shocking. Here are a few examples:

Abortion: Women seeking abortions in Georgia must be given a chance to see an ultrasound image of the fetus and listen for a heartbeat. In Mississippi, an abortion provider must perform a sonogram and give a pregnant woman the chance to listen to the heartbeat.

Anti-Stupidity: Virginia drivers 17 years old and younger can be ticketed for talking on cellphones while driving.
Florida increases the penalty — 60 days in jail or a $500 fine — for leaving a child under 6 in a vehicle without the engine running for longer than 15 minutes.

Tennessee has even banned motorcycle wheelies. Really? They have that kind of time in the legislature? And Virginia requires sex offenders to register their email addresses. Which will then be sold to every spam email company in the world as extra, extra punishment.

Oh well! Happy Independence Day America!! Your freedoms and rights are in the good hands of your elected officials!!