Governor's travel ban doesn't extend to China

Gov. Inslee recently banned state-funded travel to North Carolina and Mississippi as he objects to those states’ recent legislative actions regarding perceived discrimination against its gay communities. Inslee stated, “It is the law of Washington state and the policy of my administration to demand equality for all persons.”

Does his governorship include jurisdiction over North Carolina and Mississippi? Do those states not have their own freely elected governors and legislators? Does not each state have the right to set laws within their own jurisdictions? Are citizens of North Carolina and Mississippi afforded voting approval regarding Washington state laws/policies?

If “equality for all” is truly Inslee’s policy, why do he and members of his administration conduct state-funded trade junkets to China? Does that Communist regime guarantee equality for all its citizens? Does China condone same-sex marriage and equal rights to its gay communities?

The governor should rethink his blatant hypocrisy. His actions appear more in keeping with his repressive communist trade partner than with our Constitutional principles. Washington would be better served if it’s leaders would keep their attention directed to our state’s issues.

This story was originally published April 8, 2016 at 2:09 PM with the headline "Governor's travel ban doesn't extend to China."