Democracy was on the ballot and congress chose gay marriage (2102 hits)
Democracy was on the ballot and congress chose marriage During the Midterm elections, Democrats told the nation that “Democracy was on the ballot”. Just over a month after the Midterm elections the United States Senate and United States Congress were given a choice to vote for two fundamental civil rights. The civil right of every citizen to vote and the civil right of every citizen to marry the person of their choice regardless of s*x or race. Which of these two rights would profoundly strengthen the democracy of the United States? A democracy that was being threatened by armed, violent, insurrectionist domestic groups that sought/seeking to stop the peaceful transfer of democratic succession. These insurrectionists are still seeking to subvert the will of the people by making it more difficult for African Americans and people of color to vote to maintain political power. Without question, democracy was on the ballot. So, what did Democratic and Republican legislators do within two days of returning from their Thanksgiving break? They chose to codify the gay marriage protection act! “Democracy is on the ballot” and they chose marriage. If you have ever read the United States Constitution one of the most magnificent documents ever written and wondered how then did slavery survive and thrive under such a declaration? You need to look no further than to the current congressional vote and the eventual signing of the bill for your answer. In short congress and the president have betrayed the trust of people of color plain and simple. The greatest need of our nation is not marriage but constitutional voting rights that is if in fact “democracy was on the ballot”. What congress and the president are saying is you people of color can marry anyone you choose but you may not be able to vote. If you choose to marry interracially your partner may be able to vote but not you. If you choose to marry a same-s*x partner perhaps neither of you will be able to vote. To be sure this vote was never about interracial marriages. I find it difficult to believe that Senator Mitch McConnel and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas were ever worried about their interracial marriages being annulled. Here is what I worry about my first grandson due in a few weeks will still be confronted at the ballot box. So, who really won this election? Democracy was on the ballot. Thomas Manning, Retired Social Worker/Activist 909-967-8966 Tmann929@gmail.com
