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When the United States was formed, all sorts of arbitrary restrictions on an individual’s rights existed. Only men could vote. In many places, only men who owned property could vote. Slavery was legal. A man’s ability to vote or hold elected office was limited according to his age. And so on, and so on.
Every single advance in removing arbitrary governmental restrictions on an individual’s rights was done via the legislative process. Slavery was abolished. Women could vote. Eighteen year olds could vote. Those citizens with an interest in a particular topic went to the polls and to their legislators and, gradually, things changed. That’s the way America is supposed to work.
Same-sex marriage is a topic that many people feel should be removed from the arbitrary restrictions imposed by government. Yet, some years after the subject became a national issue, only one state has enacted a legislative solution, Vermont.
It would appear that the time is not yet ripe for this issue to reach resolution in a legislative sense.
Indeed, in 1998 the Congress overwhelmingly passed the Defense of Marriage Act, and in the six years since some 38 states have passed similar laws. The solution to this issue is not currently possible within the legislative framework of our government. And that, too, is how America works.
The events of the last few weeks have forced President Bush to take a public stand on this issue, voicing his long-held private beliefs. Courts, and illegal activities by local officials, are subverting the process by which change happens in our government. The people are not being allowed their say, nor a vote. Hardly fair and not at all American.
I suspect that an amendment will never pass or be ratified. The discussion in the legislature will prove enlightening and will take place exactly where it ought to take place.
As I have said before, this is not Selma. The only way that I can ever know that you are gay is if you tell me or if I see you engaging in sex. Otherwise, you and your compatriots are just fellow citizens.
Not allowing same-sex marriage is arbitrary. So is setting an age of consent, or having separate male and female bathrooms. I can name a hundred laws and regulations that we each “suffer” under daily. Why should there be a speed limit? Why must I pay taxes? Why do I have to take math in high school? Everyone has a host of arbitrary governmental edicts that they would like to be out from under.
If you want the government to recognize same-sex marriage, get out of my face. Using logic and civil speech, show me, and our legislators that it is the right thing to do. Don’t force it down my throat, or act like you’re in Hitler’s Germany. You’re free here, more free than any other place in the world. Show me another country where this subject is being so debated. You’re on the cutting edge of freedom right here in the good, old USA, so quit your whining and get to work. The abolitionists did. The suffragettes did. The prohibitionists did. You can, too, if you just get over yourselves just a little.
On Y!CN
Star of Hope is a nondenominational Christian organization that equips children across the world with knowledge, physical well-being, spiritual growth and social skills through educational programs and local and international partnerships. Please donate!
Gay Marriage
February 22nd, 2004 | Comments Off
When the United States was formed, all sorts of arbitrary restrictions on an individual’s rights existed. Only men could vote. In many places, only men who owned property could vote. Slavery was legal. A man’s ability to vote or hold elected office was limited according to his age. And so on, and so on.
Every single advance in removing arbitrary governmental restrictions on an individual’s rights was done via the legislative process. Slavery was abolished. Women could vote. Eighteen year olds could vote. Those citizens with an interest in a particular topic went to the polls and to their legislators and, gradually, things changed. That’s the way America is supposed to work.
Same-sex marriage is a topic that many people feel should be removed from the arbitrary restrictions imposed by government. Yet, some years after the subject became a national issue, only one state has enacted a legislative solution, Vermont.
It would appear that the time is not yet ripe for this issue to reach resolution in a legislative sense.
Indeed, in 1998 the Congress overwhelmingly passed the Defense of Marriage Act, and in the six years since some 38 states have passed similar laws. The solution to this issue is not currently possible within the legislative framework of our government. And that, too, is how America works.
The events of the last few weeks have forced President Bush to take a public stand on this issue, voicing his long-held private beliefs. Courts, and illegal activities by local officials, are subverting the process by which change happens in our government. The people are not being allowed their say, nor a vote. Hardly fair and not at all American.
I suspect that an amendment will never pass or be ratified. The discussion in the legislature will prove enlightening and will take place exactly where it ought to take place.
As I have said before, this is not Selma. The only way that I can ever know that you are gay is if you tell me or if I see you engaging in sex. Otherwise, you and your compatriots are just fellow citizens.
Not allowing same-sex marriage is arbitrary. So is setting an age of consent, or having separate male and female bathrooms. I can name a hundred laws and regulations that we each “suffer” under daily. Why should there be a speed limit? Why must I pay taxes? Why do I have to take math in high school? Everyone has a host of arbitrary governmental edicts that they would like to be out from under.
If you want the government to recognize same-sex marriage, get out of my face. Using logic and civil speech, show me, and our legislators that it is the right thing to do. Don’t force it down my throat, or act like you’re in Hitler’s Germany. You’re free here, more free than any other place in the world. Show me another country where this subject is being so debated. You’re on the cutting edge of freedom right here in the good, old USA, so quit your whining and get to work. The abolitionists did. The suffragettes did. The prohibitionists did. You can, too, if you just get over yourselves just a little.
Filed under: Commentary, Gay Marriage, Original writing, Society