President Bush will promote a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage on Monday, the eve of a scheduled Senate vote on the cause that is dear to his conservative backers.
The amendment would prohibit states from recognizing same-sex marriages. To become law, the proposal would need two-thirds support in the Senate and House, and then be ratified by at least 38 state legislatures.
It stands little chance of passing the 100-member Senate, where proponents are struggling to get even 50 votes. Several Republicans oppose the measure, and so far only one Democrat _ Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska _ says he will vote for it.
I'm no fan of gay marriage, but I can not support this. This is coming from someone who voted for proposition 2 (because of my opposition to taxpayer funded domestic benefits) and supported the Defense of Marriage Act back in the 1990's.
The reason I do not support this is for two reasons.
1. It is not a good reason to amend the constitution. The constitution has only once forbid something. That was during prohibition. This is bad precident. The reason Bush supports the amendment is an attempt to get around activist judges. That's STILL not a good enough reason. I'd rather see activist judges removed from power. Impeach Jack Weinstein. Impeach Stephen Reinhardt. THAT'll send a message and restore the balance of power.
The only Constitutional Amendment I would support is one that allows states not to recognize marriage contracts that are in other states. That still leaves the decision to the states which gets to my next point.
2. Does everything need to be a FEDERAL law? One thing that has been unacceptable by Bush, Schumer, and most of all John McCain (by far the worst offender) - is that they have made a federal case out of everything. (Many) Conservatives had a fit at Mr. Clinton's overzealous gun grabbing ways and his environmental whacko (I'm NOT referring to conservationism which I support) policies from the federal level. By environmental whacko, I'm referring to his policy of re-introducing wolves out west and protecting them from ranchers - who are trying to protect their livestock. Conservatives were right to oppose this. Liberals are going to oppose this bill.
How about let's all be consistant here and have some less government for once.
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