West Virginia lawmakers have spent the early part of this year’s regular legislative session fanning the flames of the culture war they believe is more important than our economic, mental and physical well being as Mountain State residents.

Some of the effort they are undertaking is downright bizarre, such as state Senate Committee Chairwoman Amy Grady’s claim that mandating the display of “In God we trust” in every classroom of every public elementary and secondary school, public college and university in the state (along with an American flag) is NOT a religious statement. One wonders how the Putnam County Republican managed to claim that a statement about trust in God was not religious with a straight face.

And, by the way, THAT is the very definition of grooming — no matter whether you personally agree with the ideology into which all public school children are being groomed.

Further, these folks want to arm teachers, allow people to sue libraries if a book offends them and restrict where transgender kids can use the bathroom.

Though they beat the drum that all these measures are to “protect” children, any rational voter can see what they are trying to do. It’s a nauseating attempt to scare teachers, administrators and librarians; and claw control over every aspect of our children’s lives for themselves.

But to what end? Why focus on driving our state a century backward socio-culturally when they could and should be focusing on lifting us all up with measures regarding the expansion and diversification of our economy, IMPROVING education rather than crippling it, increasing access to affordable housing and quality healthcare … The list of ways in which lawmakers could be working to lift all West Virginians is practically endless.

They’d rather not, it seems.

Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha and minority chair, was spot on when he said “It’s not just harmless election year red meat type of legislation, because it does have the potential to harm children.”

Voters will surely let these folks know we have had enough of their willful neglect of their responsibility to represent and serve US, rather than their own personal creeds. But we mustn’t wait until we have a chance to speak at the polling place. Let them know, now.