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Editorial: McGrath reveals she is out of touch with reality

The University of Arizona community has expressed the belief that Rep. Jean McGrath, R.-Glendale, is an ultra-conservative, stuffy, out-of-touch representative.

This is incorrect.

Recent statements made to the Arizona Daily Wildcat have proven that, in fact, she is not a representative.

McGrath is apparently so busy that she has no time to listen, speak with or even research the very domain of the committee she chairs.

Theoretically, these are the primary duties of a legislator. In an indirect democracy, she fulfills the role of a person who represents the mass of people who are unable to act directly as lawmakers. The fact that McGrath doesn't feel compelled to carry out these duties is indisputable evidence that she is not what her title states.

It is unclear what exactly she is, but surely a representative - in the true definition of the word - would freely communicate with the people and have a strong knowledge of their environment and needs.

In her latest correspondence with the UA, she said she doesn't "have time" to visit and interact with the students, who have undoubtedly tried to talk to her.

This is a gross display of a lawmaker who will make policy regardless of the people's opinions. Again, this is the antithesis of a representative.

It seems her job is far too time-consuming for her to be able to do her job.

Of course, if McGrath had ample time out of session to visit the UA and meet a few of the people she attempts to regulate, she would certainly make the trip.

Right? Wrong.

"I don't know what that would benefit," she said, adding that it wouldn't solve any of the university's problems.

The remaining explanation is that McGrath does not need to even witness the community she affects to know its best interests. That's right, she is clairvoyant - a super-representative.

But alas, if she has these powers, they certainly failed her yesterday regarding a simple but crucial fact of her legislation.

McGrath said the UA has no single sex dorms, which would conflict with her plan to make them mandatory at all universities. The UA actually has six single-sex dorms, all easily accesible to students seeking such an environment.

The attempt to stop sex in dorms has been amended through discussions and committees, and only now we see that McGrath had no idea the UA had single-sex dorms.

What a stupid waste and what a mind-boggling notion that a person who has legislative impact on a community knows so little and cares to learn even less.

Thankfully, some sense remains at the Capitol. The attempt to regulate Internet use at university computers was dropped. The UA has made a compromise regarding course content descriptions.

And the freedom to interact with the opposite sex is temporarily safe.

Students should relentlessly remind the Legislature of their existence.

McGrath should take the time out of her busy life to acknowledge the world around her.