Jeff Jacoby, op-ed writer for the Boston Globe:
"Rights should not be put to a vote," same-sex marriage advocate Evan Wolfson, the founder of Freedom to Marry, was still insisting the day after the election. But I suspect we'll be hearing that argument less and less, as activists embark on fresh ballot campaigns to amend the many state constitutions that now block same-sex marriage. Unless, of course, the Supreme Court intervenes, and tries once again to impose a resolution by short-circuiting the workings of democracy.
I don't claim that voters are always right, or that the people can't make mistakes. By my lights, voters in Maine, Maryland, Washington, and Minnesota made a grave one last week. I believe same-sex marriage is a bad idea. But I also believe that political legitimacy derives from the consent of the governed. "I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves,"wrote Thomas Jefferson after a lifetime in public affairs. "If we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion."
Gay marriage shouldn't be treated as sacrosanct, too lofty for mere politics. Let the debates, the struggles, the compromises, and, yes, the votes continue. Until the people work it out politically, this issue will never be settled. -- TownHall
6 Comments
I agree with Jacoby that this issue should always be decided by the people--whether they decide for or against ssm.
I believe that average Americans are sensible, and can be informed on an issue to vote for what's best. There are commenters on this blog that were once in favor of ssm, but now support marriage. Jennifer Thieme, a blogger at the Ruth Institute, couldn't bring herself to vote for Prop 8 because she couldn't understand the problem with ssm. Now she's an adamant opponent.
This issue should always be decided by the people, not only because the people are more trustworthy, but because ssm is not a civil right. The reason the people were even able to affirm ssm this time is due, in part, to the U.S., WA and MD supreme courts rejecting a claim that ssm is a constitutional right, thus leaving the matter to the people.
For low-information voters, selling an idea or candidate has become much like selling a product on late-night TV. And like the incredible offers sold on the airwaves, pseudo-marriage is an inferior product with a huge cost. Count me among those who once got burned.
Conservatives have been reticent to stoop to such a low level. But, in fact, it has become a necessity. It should be easy to sell, given that it's a superior product, true to its advertising.
So, yes, let the people vote. It's the best we have, and it's our job to educate them.
I'm going to make a few predictions:
The Supreme Court will not "intervene, and try once again to impose a resolution by short-circuiting the workings of democracy." on Prop 8. I'm not sure if you "pro-marriage" people understand what that means for Prop 8? If they "don't intervene" on that particular case, the decision from the lower court will stand. Which means Prop 8 is declared unconstitutional and gay marriage will be legal in that state. I believe that will happen because the court doesn't want to get involved with something they already know is going to happen...the legalization of same-sex marriage.
My second prediction is the court will take one of the DOMA cases and strike down the law. They will do this because the DOMA cases are not about same-sex marriage. They are about the federal government not discriminating against what states have already defined as legal.
Either way, same-sex marriage wins. Happy Friday!
Homosexuality is sin.
Homosexuality is aberrant behavior.
The essence of marriage has always been a committed relationship between a man and a woman. God condemns homosexuality.
Nature tells us that it is wrong.
History supports marriage only between opposite sex couples.
No such thing as "homosexual marriage"!
new study just out:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/250318mmnh7k1054/
It's a difficult task for conservatives to educate the electorate when so much of what "educates" the public is television, major news outlets, public schools, and academia, nearly all of which are dominated by the Left.
The media has let us all down, infiltrated by homosexuals in leadership roles.