By now, everyone on Daily Kos is aware of the battle we're facing in California regarding same-sex marriage. Proposition 8 on the November 4 ballot would amend the California Constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman.
Now, we learn that if John McCain and Sarah Palin win on that same date, more than just California is at risk -- for the second time, and the first since Prohibition, the United States Constitution could be amended to take away rights from citizens.
MSNBC:
NEW YORK - Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin says she supports a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, a break with John McCain who has said he believes states should be left to define what marriage is.
In an interview with Christian Broadcasting Network, the Alaska governor said she had voted in 1998 for a state amendment banning same sex marriage and hoped to see a federal ban on such unions.
"I have voted along with the vast majority of Alaskans who had the opportunity to vote to amend our Constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman. I wish on a federal level that's where we would go. I don't support gay marriage," Palin said. She said she believed traditional marriage is the foundation for strong families.
Looking at me, I should really have no interest in this race; I'm a middle-aged housewife with a big mouth, married for 17 years to my (male) spouse.
But I don't want to see my state's Constitution, nor my country's Constitution, misused to the point of telling people who work hard and pay taxes that they're second class citizens solely because of the person they've fallen in love with.
Think back in history -- what if the Dred Scott Decision had become codified as an amendment to the Constitution? What if there had been a Constitutional amendment banning miscegenation? We would not have Barack Obama running for President today -- indeed, we would have been deprived of the contributions of African Americans and other minorities throughout history. Our Constitutions must remain the tool to affirm rights, not take them away.
And the passage of Proposition 8 in California would invigorate the Religious Reich base putting it forward; it wouldn't be long before you'd see this issue taken on a national level with renewed cries for a US Constitutional amendment to permanently ban same-sex marriage.
So, maybe you're asking, "Okay, Cali, you've sold me -- how can I help?"
First, if you're in California, make sure you're registered to vote (today is the deadline -- many county registrars will be open late so check your local registrar and see if they're one of them). Once you're registered, make sure you actually do cast your ballot -- again, if you are registered and not sure where your polling place is, contact your county registrar and find out; they may have the information on their website saving you a phone call.
Second, if you're in California or if you have friends/relatives who live in California, stress how important it is that we don't let our Constitution be misused by this wrong-headed measure.
Third, I know we're all getting tapped out from this long campaign -- many of us have donated not just to Presidential races but also to down-ticket campaigns in areas far from where we are. But if you can, dig a little deeper and send some money to help in the last two week ad push? I've lately seen more "No on 8" commercials on the air, so as the money comes in, it's having an impact. The last two weeks are going to be crucial -- the more people that can see Proposition 8 for what it truly is, the better.
Finally, make sure that whatever happens in California, it's Barack Obama, not John McCain, taking the Oath of Office on January 20, 2009 -- because while he may not be 100% perfect on everything, I trust him far more than McCain (or Palin) to appoint judges (including Supreme Court justices) who have actually read and understand the Constitution.
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