Where'd the Sunshine Go?

Greetings everyone, from gloomy, rainy, never a day of sunshine Michigan! It's been weeks since I blogged (or saw the sun), and given the tragic turn of events this week with the election, I figured I'd better pipe up. On November 2nd, 2004, history was made when no short of 11 states elected to write descrimination into their constitutions. While it's no surprise that the general populace is against gay marriage, it is a surprise that people would feel so compelled about the issue that they would hurt people so profoundly instantly declaring them unequal in a fundemental sort of way. For all you religious folks out there who voted to pass the amendment, I say WHAT RIGHT DID YOU HAVE TO TELL ME I DON'T HAVE ANY!? I'm angry. Really angry. What happened to the famous words in the declaration of independence?

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

What happened to being created equal? What happened to an unalienable right to seek my own happiness? How is the government fulfilling it's duty to secure these rights, when it allows hateful people who don't understand me to simply gather some signatures and decide that some other people are second class? What happened to long established governements not being changed for transient causes? You people have abused me, and usurped my rights. The people I'm supposed to rely on, and call brother, family, neighbors, allies, patriots, and comrads have betrayed me. How long will it take before someone who doesn't understand you steps on unalienable rights? We are on the edge of an ideological revolution, my friends. And I am not going to sit down and take this lightly. I will fight. I will become vocal. And no one better stand in my way until I am heard, and I am taken seriously. By passing unjust amendments, you have declared war. Though I may be part of a small minority, our passion will be a thorn in your side until you agknowledge that we have just as much a right to this system as anyone else.

The constitution of our United States says that we have a right "To enjoy privacy in all matters in which the rights of others are not violated." Marriage is an issue of privacy. It's an issue of heart and soul. It's an issue of protecting the rights of that whom you hold most dear. It does not violate the rights of others. Church has no obligation to perform marriage, be they heterosexual or homosexual, so forget that argument. Only the Government has the obligation to uphold the terms of a marriage contract. It is not the duty or obligation of the government to define its terms. It is not the right of people not involved to define its terms. In his destined for failure bid for president, Michael Badnarik of the Libertarian party wrote a beautiful piece on the issue of gay marriage. In it, he says, "Marriage partners, not government, should define the terms and spiritual orientation of their union in accordance with our nation's guarantee of religious freedom."

Should gay marriage be permitted? Is such marriage a basic human right or a privlege granted by government?

Establishment politicians are divided, much as their constituents are. No matter what laws they enact or fail to enact, the division will remain and the fighting will continue. Are we doomed to be a house divided?

Establishment politicians can't solve this real world problem because they aren't asking the tough question: "Should lovers jointly decide what their marriage will be or should government dictate the terms of their most intimate union?"

Today, of course, government decides if a couple is even permitted to marry through a licensing process. In other times and places, marriage licenses were denied to interracial or other politically incorrect couples, just as it can be denied to gay couples today.

When government permission is granted, the marriage constitutes a legal, binding contract, with terms that vary over time and with the location of residence. Since these terms are not written down, but are simply a matter of case law and creative legal tactics, a couple rarely finds out what they are until faced with a divorce. Men discover that their claim to custody can be prejudiced simply by their sex. Women find that that their worth as a homemaker varies from state to state. Prenuptial agreements are honored by some courts and heavily discounted by others. The couples find themselves bound, not by what they themselves have agreed upon, but by what government officials dictate.

Like every partnership, marriage should fit the individuals it unites, rather than be a "one-size-fits all" proposition defined by those outside the relationship. Each marriage should be what the partners want it to be?no more, no less. Ideally, the terms of marriage should be defined ahead of time with procedures to modify them as necessary.

Just as anyone can engage in a business relationship, any individuals should be able to enter into a marriage. Government's role in a business partnership is to simply enforce, not dictate, its terms. Government's role in marriage should be the same.

When marriage is taken out of the legal realm, it is seen for what it has always been: a matter of heart and soul. Just as the Catholic Church has historically disdained divorce among its congregation, so too will some religious groups refuse to bless gay unions. Both those who support and those who condemn gay marriage will be free to practice their beliefs and persuade others to their way of thinking. Each individual will be free to choose. Isn't that what America's all about?

We know how to live and let live. Our nation was founded?and prospered?on that principle. Religious tolerance, the real issue in gay marriage, allows us to live peacefully even though our beliefs may radically differ.

Freedom is the one thing we cannot have unless we give it to others. The blessings our nation enjoys today is built upon that expression of free will."

Michael, your the first politician to have the balls to say speak true. Thank you for seeing the forest for the trees.

I pray that everyone voted against proposal 2. For those who did not, know that your actions have forced me to declare war. The casualties may be your relationship to me. For those who voted against this hateful amendment, please join me in helping strike it down where it stands. From this day forward, I will not rest until I am seen as equal and entitled as much as anyone else. It's personal. It's a matter of heart and soul. And no one has a right to tell me otherwise.