We Don’t Vote Away Civil Rights
05 November 2008 1:30 pm by Taylor Marsh
BY TAYLOR MARSH
It’s a matter of the U.S. Constitution, enforced
by the courts.
Otherwise, we wouldn’t be celebrating President-Elect Barack Obama.
Or has everyone suddenly forgotten the bad old days?
Discrimination is just that, whether we’re talking about African Americans
or gay rights or a woman’s right to privacy. You don’t get to vote on some amendment
that takes these rights away from anyone. It doesn’t matter if you agree or
not. Because when we do it’s relegated to the most committed win status that
eviscerates the founders’ intent and the soul of this country’s meaning that
we are all created equal, with equal rights across the board.
Memo to Mormons and the other fundamentalists: civil rights includes, among many other things, being able to marry. Enter the Mormon Times:
[...] Instead, Mormons, along with people of many faiths, have entered the public arena supporting an idea which they feel strongly about. They have engaged the public dialogue in good faith despite the vocal opposition. They have stood for something, believing it has an important implication on the future of society. They have used the First Amendment as a means to enter the marketplace of ideas. Those who opposed those ideas were allowed the same privilege. Not terrorism or violence was used to make a stand, but the standard of majority rule was sought. It was not irony, but democracy in action.
“Democracy,” Mormon style, means to ignore the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and our courts that are to enforce non-discrimination in this country. (As long-timers around her know, I’ve battled these misogynist bigots before.)
It’s on days like this that I’m especially proud to be a rebel Episcopalian.
As for this fight, the most committed wins. So far, it’s the fundies by a mile.
