Luciano: Doesn't Darin LaHood have anything better to do than meddle with other states?

Phil Luciano
Journal Star

What would Darin LaHood do if another state poked its nose into Illinois’ business?

What if another state were to bark, “Hey, Illinois, why don’t you get your act together? Why are you so messed up? We outsiders are going to take you to court to get you straightened out.”

Under such an integrity-besmirching attack, I would hope that LaHood would man up and slug the other state in the nose, verbally and politically.

So, it’s a wonder that LaHood, who represents the Peoria area — which, to be clear to anyone who is map-challenged, is smack-dab in the middle of Illinois — has happily added his signature to an amicus brief supporting a Texas lawsuit challenging the election as conducted in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Darin LaHood, Donald Trump

Of course, as a member of Congress, LaHood gets a say in running the country. For example, when he casts a vote on legislation, he has a hand in setting national policy and direction.

But this clumsy election-meddling move, with the heavy-handed assistance of 105 other Republican congressional busybodies, goes beyond normal and appropriate governance. By supporting this lawsuit, LaHood apparently thinks it’s just dandy for one state to horn in on other state’s business.

Think about this on a personal level.

What if your neighbor didn’t like the way you cut your lawn? Or painted your house? Or hung Christmas lights? If the neighbor decided to intervene and give advice — mind you, you’d done nothing wrong — you’d probably yell at him to buzz off and get gone.

That’s what has been happening with the Texas lawsuit, which was filed by that state’s Republican attorney general and seeks to somehow overturn the election results in the other four states.

The suit does a lot of chest-thumping about patriotic values while making vague accusations: “The unconstitutional irregularities involved in the 2020 presidential election cast doubt upon its outcome and the integrity of the American system of elections.”

But, as with all of the Hail Mary legal maneuvers trying to keep President Trump in the Oval Office, the Texas suit lacks solid support. There is no smoking gun, just baseless whining.

The Texas-prodded states have not taken kindly to the uninvited intrusion. For instance, Michigan's attorney general bit back, “The election in Michigan is over. Texas comes as a stranger to this matter and should not be heard here."

More:Hundreds of GOP members sign onto Texas-led election lawsuit

I have no law degree or black robe. But even beyond the tenuous legal claims, Texas is violating the conventional wisdom of a simple, homespun precept:

Hoe your own row. As a native of an agricultural state, LaHood should understand that.

Sure, LaHood co-chaired Trump’s Illinois campaign. But it’s not as if every Republican is in lockstep loyalty regarding Trump’s election-appeal fantasy. Of Illinois' five Republican congress members, LaHood was one of just two — the other was Mike Bost, from the state’s southern tip — to sign an amicus brief in support of the Texas lawsuit’s push to have the U.S. Supreme Court investigate and intercede.

Per WCBU-FM, LaHood said in a statement, “The cornerstone of our democracy is our electoral system and any irregularities presented should be investigated.”

Wow. How ... nothing. That’s not exactly a bold stand. That's more like a lame mumble. It's just piffle, something he could babble every day, with no specifics, no meat on the bone.

As for these "irregularities," I've asked LaHood to provide some evidence or support or something. If he sends along anything worth sharing, I’ll let you know.

But don’t hold your breath. I expect the same nothing that the Trump fever-dream faithful have offered so far.

If LaHood wants to tilt at windmills, apparently out of pointless fealty to a president whose time is ticking away fast, voters eventually can be the judge of how he earns a living on  their dime. But getting his hands all over other state’s business? Do we want Illinois irritating and alienating other states and their congressional delegations? Can't LaHood keep his hands to himself?

Isn't there someplace else where he could focus his time and energy?

Like, his home district?
