The Maine Senate has approved a bill regarding same-sex marriages in Maine. The New Hampshire Legislature has sent a similar bill to the Governor. Vermont and Iowa both recently recognized same-sex marriages. Despite a majority being opposed to same-sex marriages, the New York Governor has once again asked the Legislature to pass legislation recognizing these unions.
Alternately, California, Arizona, and Florida, in the November elections, constitutionally defined marriage as the union of a man and a woman. It is apparent that when the decision regarding this issue is in the hands of the few, such as the Legislatures or a court, the view of the majority is disregarded.
It is the fact that the Legislators are ignoring the majority view that has caused many states to have votes on the marriage definition as a part of their state’s Constitution. This move takes the ultimate decision out of the hands of the “few”, as Florida, Arizona, and California recently showed.
This issue is becoming more important, given the fact that there is a push to have all of the New England states recognizing same-sex marriages by 2012.
As is clearly evidenced by the reaction to Miss California Carrie Prejean’s answer to Perez Hilton’s same-sex marriage question during the Miss USA Pageant, this will be a “hot-issue” button in the next several election cycles. Ms. Prejean, reagrdless of your view on this issue, is to be commended for voicing her convictions rather than the view that the questioner wanted to hear. The National Organization on Marriage is using her pageant controversy in their advertising campaigns.
Just as important as the issue of what defines a marriage is the fact that the voice of the majority is often ignored by our elected officials, as they did with TARP and the economic stimulus package, and it is time that they realize that we will be heard!
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May 1, 2009 at 7:03 am
Are the State Legislatures Ignoring the Majority with Regard to Same-Sex Marriage?
[...] Original post by JAMES [...]
May 1, 2009 at 10:09 am
Stothes
One of the great things about America is that you can vote against your elected representatives if you don’t agree with their voting record.
Also, Carrie Prejan is the new Anita Bryant…
May 1, 2009 at 10:44 am
JAMES
Some would say that calling her “Anita Bryant” is an insult, but like Ms. Prejean, Ms. Bryant’s conscience was far more important to her than her lucrative endorsements. And yes, Stothes, you are absolutely correct that you can vote them out… that is the intention.
May 1, 2009 at 11:39 am
Interested Bystander
Hey All,
It seems to me that those who favor same sex unions are insensitive to the fact that this has been traditionally a union between a man and a woman.
I believe they would have a more receptive audience if they would call it something other than “marriage”.
Why they insist on calling it “marriage”, at least in my opinion, is because they want it “in your face”.
Our moral athmosphere is deteriorating at a fast pace.
It used to be that single parenthood was taboo. Now more and more children are being raised by single parents, and we see what the consequences of that is.
Criminals, instead of being held accountable for their actions, are being given excuse after excuse for their actions.
Now homosexuals want the Government to sanction their union.
What’s next? When will enough be enough? Never?
Just call it something other than “marriage”.
May 1, 2009 at 12:03 pm
JAMES
I still believe it is based in the Social Security benefits, etc. that is the underlying foundation here.