When former Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci cited the fact that "over 80 percent of the people want the shot to vote" on same-sex marriage during an ABC-6 interview earlier this month, a skeptical ProJo Politifact Truth-O-Meter decided to investigate. After reviewing three NOM-Rhode Island polls conducted by Quest Research, the Truth-O-Meter concluded that "a hefty majority wants voters to determine the issue," with support ranging from 74% and 84% of Rhode Island voters with various wordings of the question between June 2009 and August 2010.
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What percentage of voters have to want a referendum in order to get one? Does it have to be 100% in a poll which everyone delcares is unbiased, if there is such a thing? No? Then where is the cutoff?
Last month we witnessed many political races which were decided by margins of a couple of percentage points or less. That is sufficient to get a politician elected to a term of office. Even if the NOM polls are wrong by 20% that would still mean that at least 60% of voters want a vote. Is that enough?
Since there is obviously a question here why would the legislature not err on the side of democracy and put it to a vote? We have the recent example of Maine where the state legislature actually passed homosexual marriage and the people, upon securing a vote on the issue, rejected it. Isn't that enough proof that the best way to determine an outcome on this issue is to put it to a vote of the people?
The simple fact of the matter is that the legislature of Rhode Island knows that if homosexual marriage is put to a vote that it will fail just as it has everywhere else it has beeen put to a vote. The only reason they don't want to put it to a vote is because they want to try to shove it down voter's throats against their will. That is called dictatorship. It is anti-American and it is precisely why we fought the Revolutionary War and created The United States of America. Now, certain elements want to turn back the clock to the abuses of monarchy. Not on my watch!
Religious liberty and freedom is at stake here. Conservative values are being attacked by the liberal elite and our voices silenced in the public square. We must support Republican leadership who will give voice to the people by sponsoring federal amendments to ban same sex marriage and abortion. The time is now.
Of course, it is possible that the voters want this vote in order to engrave same-sex marriage into the state's constitution, preventing the Legislature from maintaining the historical and traditional definition of marriage even if a pro-marriage majority takes control of the Legislature.
A very eloquent and inspiring comment, Paul Sanderson!
Risk in inherent in life, Michael. We have to trust and we have to have faith that no matter what twists or turns the road may take, that we will, in the end, prevail.
We have to trust God and have faith in ourselves, that we have the "right stuff" to get the job done no matter what obstacles are placed in our path. With God's help, we shall do it!
"We have to trust God"
"With God's help, we shall do it!"
In washington, when they tried to put the domestic partnership law up to a vote to overturn it, they said this too and told everybody to pray as hard as they could.
In California, when the Prop* trial was going on, they said this too.
When repeal of DADT was up for a senate vote,
there seems to be a theme here. Maybe this is what God wants. I know it would be great for your people to stop history and progression in it's tracks, but as times goes on, progress will as well. The momentum has already begun and it's too late for you to stop it no matter how you pray to your false deity. Hang it up already and move on to banning stem cell research or what is next on your "agenda".