Arnold Schwarzenegger has unleashed a tirade against Indiana 's polarizing Religious Freedom Restoration Act , saying the new laws are 'distracting and divisive ' for the Republican Party . While the legislation has sparked a nationwide outcry , with many claiming it legalizes discrimination against lesbians and gays and causing boycotts of the state , the actor and former California governor has a different take on the controversy . Writing an op-ed for The Washington Post , Schwarzenegger says he believes the defining problem is that Republicans are focusing on the wrong issues , in a move that will only hurt the GOP and further alienate voters . He wrote in the piece Friday : 'As an American , I ’ m incredibly concerned about what happened in Indiana this week and the threat of similar laws being passed in other states . ' ( But ) as a Republican , I ’ m furious . ' Blast : Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger became the latest celebrity to speak out against Indiana ’ s Religious Freedom Restoration Act , calling it a 'distracting ' law that only hurts the Republican Party . Schwarzenegger continued : ' I know plenty of Republicans who are sensible and driven to solve problems for America … This message isn ’ t for them … It is for Republicans who choose the politics of division over policies that improve the lives of all of us . 'It is for Republicans who have decided to neglect the next generation of voters . It is for Republicans who are fighting for laws that fly in the face of equality and freedom . 'If we want our party to grow and last , we must be focused on real solutions to problems Americans are facing . 'But distracting , divisive laws like the one Indiana passed are n't just bad for the country , they ’ re also bad for our party . 'Polls show that laws like this are not supported by independents , women , minorities or Americans between 18 and 29 . Outcry : Protesters hold signs protesting Indiana 's controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act , which has made the state the target of a boycott by businesses , local governments and individuals across the US . Angered : Demonstrators gather in Indianapolis to protest a controversial religious freedom bill recently signed by Indiana Governor Mike Pence during a rally last weekend . March : Thousands of opponents of Indiana Senate Bill 101 , the Religious Freedom Restoration Act , gather for a protest on the lawn of the Indiana State House on March 28 . 'If the Republican Party wants the next generation of voters to listen to our ideas and solutions to real problems , we must be an inclusive and open party , not a party of divisions . 'We must be the party of limited government , not the party that legislates love . 'We must be the party that stands for equality and against discrimination in any form . ' Schwarzenegger was the Governor of California between 2003 and 2011 . In 2008 he opposed California ’ s controversial Prop 8 in favor of LGBT rights . However the bill , which made gay marriage illegal in California , was still passed while he was governor . The Religious Freedom Restoration Act , brought in by Indiana Governor Mike Pence , with a near-identical bill brought in in Arkansas , were supposed to satisfy evangelicals by 'upholding religious freedom ' , but subsequently sparked boycotts of both states . The Republican governors of both states signed off Thursday on changes approved by the legislatures aimed at clarifying the intent behind the legislation . To a large extent , the measures were modeled after a federal law enacted in 1993 with broad bipartisan support . But critics of the new measures said they were designed with a different motive — to shield businesses and individuals who do not want to serve gays and lesbians , such as florists or caterers who might be hired for a same-sex wedding .
Former California governor criticises the GOP for not focusing on issues that matter , such as airport delays , graduation rates and air pollution . Score: 6