Fox News contributor and conservative pundit, Margaret Hoover, makes the case for supporting marriage equality. She also explains why the judicial system is the appropriate setting for righting this wrong.
Some Republicans support gay rights, but prefer progress through legislative action or majority rule at the ballot box, rather than judicial action. But what if a democratic election imposes mandates that violate a citizen’s constitutional freedom? In the event that majority rule insufficiently protects individual liberty, our system of checks and balances puts forth that it is the role of the courts, to guarantee and protect the rights to individual Americans.
That’s why the Supreme Court, in 1967 Loving v. Virginia, legalized interracial marriage –six years after our current president was born to an interracial couple. At that time 73% of the population opposed “miscegenation.” How long would it have taken to change popular opinion, for the minority to democratically win their constitutional rights? As Martin Luther King, Jr. famously asserted, “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
Congressman Barney Frank recently appeared on Michelangelo Signorile’s SiriusXM show and stated the the National Equality March is ineffective and that citizens should lobby politicians locally. From The Gist:
Barney Frank believes the march this weekend and rally on the mall are “useless” and don’t put pressure on the White House. “I literally don’t understand how this will do anything,” he said. “People are kidding themselves. I don’t want people patting themselves on the back for doing something that is useless.” Besides, he says, “Barack Obama does not need pressure.” He says we should model ourselves as lobbyists on “the National Rifle Association.” He says people should not come to Washington and should stay home and lobby their members of Congress. “Nobody in Congress even knows they’re there, he says, and he is not attending the March: He is going to California to raise money for himself and other Democrats.
Don’t tell me know nobody knows we’re here.
When this endeavor first began, several major gay rights groups didn’t want anything to do with it. But now, those groups are clamoring over themselves to get a piece of the action. Even the HRC will host a major dinner tomorrow night featuring celebrities and the President himself.
I know the march isn’t going to produce any miracle legislation. But the visibility we will gain across the nation is worth it and useful because many gay Americans will see us marching in solidarity and hear our voices letting them know that they aren’t alone and that they shouldn’t have to live in fear. And some of them may even be moved to take action and lobby their local politicians.
Randi Shade worked for Governor Ann Richards, helped launch AmeriCorps in Texas, served on a multitude of boards, and has extensive business and fund raising experience. And she bleeds orange.
According to Texas House rules, one lawmaker can’t vote on behalf of another. However, it is a practice as old as legend.
Several months ago, an Austin news station reported on the practice, and the story has spread like wildfire on YouTube. The vid was even posted on the PinkDome blog. The Austin American-Statesman wrote about it today.
Let’s see if citizen journalism can stir up some change. Watch the video below and tell me this isn’t outrageous!
Randi Shade for Austin City Council Place 3
