More On Gay Marriage

Well, it seems I am not alone in questioning the decision to charge forward on a gay marriage amendment at this time. My earlier post was echoed by Governor Whitman on the It’s My Party Too blog. In addition, At least two republican Senators have publicly stated their opposition to the amendment.

Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins (both of Maine) are questioning the need for the amendment given that the existing law (The Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 or DOMA) already defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman and gives states the right to refuse recognition of gay marriage.

Of course, anyone who has followed this debate knows that’s not what this is about. This is about election year pandering – and nothing more. It is an effort meant to fail, but meant to give Republicans a vote on which we can run in November. It’s the ultimate circle jerk in American politics.

In 1996, when DOMA was passed, the GOP had the sense to make it a law, not an amendment, and give the states the power. (Which is not to say I am even conceptually in favor of DOMA. I think it’s ridiculous.) But that was back when Republicans were republican. Now we’re merely obsessed with winning despite the damage we inflict on our principles. Pandering to the narrow minded right is what we do to win, and win we must. So charge forward with a meaningless amendment you know you will never pass and lament the loss with cries that “we would have won if not for the Democrats.”

It’s a hell of a way to run a government, guys.

Share

Tags