( The historic day as covered by local news.)
On the front page of The Star there is an unscientific poll ( vote as much as you want!) about the upcoming proposed constitutional amendment to revoke any current same sex marriages given from the state of California and ban future weddings.
The proposed amendment is currently being defeated but it is within a few points.
Maybe with the announcement that the Mormon Church is instructing their members to get involved promoting the proposed amendment by political activism and by giving money the results might shift.
The amendment would create legal chaos for many couples. The problem for conservatives is convincing voters the damage the proposed amendment would do to individuals is worth the price of helping keep marriage between opposite sex couples. As more people celebrate the rights and responsibilities that comes with marriage the opposition to it will go down. Conservatives wanted to ban it before the court ruling because they know that the public approval of same sex marriage keeps going up. This year might be close either way but with time the public support will continue to grow.
Do you think this will be an issue in any local legislative elections? I know Hannah-Beth Jackson plans to vote no but I haven't heard where Tony Strickland stands. Have you? Does he favor amending the constitution?
Current totals:
Yes 49% 1099 votes
No 50% 1138 votes
2237 total votes
I gotta tell you, gay marriage is about the last thing in this world I am worried about.
So you are voting against the ban?
I haven't voted on the Star site, but I absolutely will vote against a ban on gay marriage.
When the news coverage came out last week on all the smiling faces of those that were finally allowed to marry, I turned to my son and said,"And we're supposed to be afraid of this?"
Did you see McCain said he would leave it up to the states but he also supports the amendment? He isn't being consistent there but I guess it is a presidential year.
I haven't heard his reasoning for supporting the ammendment yet, so I wouldn't presume to speak for him here.
California, as a whole tends to be more "progressive" than most of the U.S., and this is a NATIONAL election that Obama and McCain are trying to win. It may be that he does't want to take on an issue that could cost him the election in other states. His record has generally been in support of gay rights, so I know he can't be labeled homophobic.
If Hannah is voting no, then she gets my vote.
If Hannah is voting no, then she gets my vote.
With all the problems in the world right now, I am not sure why we are wasting our energies on this issue. It's already been voted down once before.
I tend to think it was originally brought up again just to try to get right-leaning voters to the polls.
Here's a rundown of the ballot initiatives for this fall and the order they'll go in on the ballot:
Prop. 1: High Speed Rail
Prop. 2: Treatment of Farm Animals
Prop. 3: Children's Hospital Bond
Prop. 4: Parental Notification
Prop. 5: Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation
Prop. 6: Anti-Gang Penalties
Prop. 7: Renewable Energy Requirements
Prop. 8: Gay Marriage Ban
Prop. 9: Victims' Rights
Prop. 10: Alternative Energy Bond
Prop. 11: Redistricting
Brian, I am wondering if you could put up a post on the redistricting measure. I'd be interested in hearing your bloggers' opinions on that one.
Marie:
I don't think I could have a lower opinion of state government at this point.
I absolutely support this redistricting initiative. If it passes, I intend to apply to serve on the Citizens Redistricting Committee even though you disqualify yourself from running and holding office for ten years.
What better service could one give to the state than helping create competitive elections and creating representation accountable to the voters?
I can't think of anything more important.
Scott,
It seems like no matter who makes the districts there is going to be agendas from interest groups and political activists. The question is which groups should dominate in a left leaning state? The current set of interest groups or more right leaning interest groups?
There is no such thing as nonpartisan it seems.
I will post a topic devoted to this subject. I would also be interested in ideas about removing the single member districts. That way it is less about personality and more about policy. Also, when a party fails to perform the whole party can get voted out.
Let's find out where the candidates stand on same sex marriage. How about Ferial Masry. How does she feel about people sending their children to re-education camps in Arizona? I think she should have quite a lot to share on the subject.
Let's find out where the candidates stand on same sex marriage. How about Ferial Masry. How does she feel about people sending their children to re-education camps in Arizona? I think she should have quite a lot to share on the subject.
Why only Ferial Masry? What about any of the incumbents? Do you even know where they stand on gay rights?
Two GOP United States Senators, Larry Craig and David Vitter, who were implicated in extramarital sexual activity have named themselves as co-sponsors of S. J. RES. 43, dubbed the Marriage Protection Amendment. If ratified, the bill would amend the United States Constitution to state that marriage "shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman."
Have they no shame?
The poll results are within 50 votes.