ADA & Politics: Speaking Out But Not Knowing Law

A hot topic the past few weeks has been U.S. Senator Republican candidate of Kentucky Rand Paul and his disagreement with some aspects of the Civil Rights Act and ADA. Much has been said in previous posts (whether you agree with what he believes or not), however an issue being overlooked is the example he uses (see below.)

We can not expect every politician to know about every aspect of every issue. However, when you are using examples and you are incorrect (repeating this over and over), does that deserve more criticism than being for/against an issue?

Paul's people are doing him a disservice by allowing him to use examples that are not covered under the ADA as if they were. People with Disabilities need to make this clear because, if elected, not only will he have a say in laws for Kentucky but the country.

"Now the media is twisting my small government message, making me out to be a crusader for repeal of the Americans for Disabilities Act and The Fair Housing Act. Again, this is patently untrue. I have simply pointed out areas within these broad federal laws that have financially burdened many smaller businesses.

For example, should a small business in a two-story building have to put in a costly elevator, even if it threatens their economic viability? Wouldn’t it be better to allow that business to give a handicapped employee a ground floor office? We need more businesses and jobs, not fewer."

http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/2010/06/06/opinion/commentary/comm1.prt