Gay Marriage Amendment Shot Down

Monday, June 05, 2006

Dead in the water:

WASHINGTON - President Bush and congressional Republicans are aiming the political spotlight this week on efforts to ban gay marriage, with events at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue — all for a constitutional amendment with scant chance of passage but wide appeal among social conservatives.

Bush said Monday he is "proud to stand with" those who support a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. The president's remarks Monday were timed to coincide with the Senate opening three days of debate on the issue. Neither chamber, though, is likely to pass the amendment by the two-thirds majority required to send it to the states — three quarters of which would then have to approve it.

"Appeal" is exactly what this amendment is all about. Conservatives need to be reminded every now and again why they elected and re-elected the president who has been anything but a Reagan-style conservative. It didn't matter that the amendment had no chance, at least President Bush can now campaign for his party as a supporter of traditional marriage when the time comes.

Of course, supporters of the amendment deny it having anything to do with the upcoming election, one that Democrats desperately need to turn out in their favor. Republicans are just as desperate, as they need a strong turnout to retain their majority status in either or both houses. If the Democrats lose again they might as well just pack up and go home.

Is gay marriage something that should be debated? To me it just seems like a bad time when we have more pressing issues to worry about. But being that we're in an election year, these are the kinds of issues that are going to get attention whether we like it or not.

It's always good to see passionate debate. It's not however, fun endure the typical rhetoric from the minority party.

"A vote for this amendment is a vote for bigotry pure and simple," said Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, where the state Supreme Court legalized gay marriages in 2003.

This is why I can't stand the current Democratic leadership. Instead of rationally debating the issues, key players in the Democratic Party play the bigotry card, and Kennedy does it chronically. If you thought he was brutal to Samuel "wrong for the country" Alito, just wait until he gets to smear the next Supreme Court appointee.

He is not good for the nation's discourse.

But if anything, at least the amendment is being handled properly - in the halls of Congress. Had it passed, the states would get their say and be able to ratify it. While I and most Libertarians are opposed to any amendment that would curtail instead of expand liberties, this is how our democracy is supposed to work. We don't need unelected judges determining society's values for us.