Anyhow, irregardless of whom you choose to vote to take the highest executive position in the land, please be aware of one of the most important matters hitting the books on Nov. 4th: Proposition 8. Let me introduce you to this measure, and why you should be in favor of it passing. Wake up to the facts.
-Fact 1: In the 2000 general election, over 60% of the voting population of the great state of California choose to define marriage in a statute called Prop 22. The text of the statute was only 14 words:
"Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."
-Fact 2: Earlier this year, the 4 out of 7 judges in the California Supreme Court overturned that measure as unconstitutional and instantly changed the social landscape of California.
-Fact 3: In this 2008 general election, Proposition 8 will seek to revise the CA state constitution to define marriage as stated above. It will differ from a statute (which is vulnerable to the judicial review/nullification) and directly change the state constitution to affirm the foundational view that the institution of marriage is reserved only for a man and a woman.
-Fact 4: This proposition does not attack the civil or legal rights already claimed by homosexual partnerships. Such unions already enjoy the same legal rights (e.g. joint ownership of property, tax status, etc.) as traditional married heterosexual couples. Proposition 8 only seeks to preserve the status of traditional marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman.
Those are the facts. Gear up for my reasons. Stand up for yours.
Reason #1: Why everyone should be involved on this issue. California bred or not, this is an alarming social issue that should get you thinking about what is going on in our nation right now. Not just interesting trends in opinion, but clear legal stances on what we as a society accept or reject. Yesterday it was Massachusetts. Today it is California. Tomorrow it will be the United State Supreme Court (yet another important reason that should weigh heavily in your vote for US President as he appoints our Justices). You need to make up your mind as to what your values are in regards to the family as the basic unit of our social fabric, and how you personally will advocate those values in all arenas. One thing is certain, that which we strive to believe but fail to advocate will be weakened. Don't stand on the sidelines. Know what you believe, and why you believe it (even if you don't have to formally vote for it in 19 days).
Reason#2: If 4 judges can instantly change the social landscape of a state without the clear ratification of the populace, then we need to check such action with our united voice. Democracy is great when it is exercised properly, so lets do it! Obviously, the judges would not have overturned the measure except without some strong pull from the dissenting minority. What I see is that we have one group of people who are being heard in this matter and one that is not. Lets decide the matter with 100% of the constituents being able to voice their stance. Lets no let a few judges decide the matter for us as a whole.
Reason #3: Getting involved. This is a chance for us as the rising generation to realize how we affect the matters of the world in direct and indirect venues. We need to realize the power of our own individual influence and the potential of a united collective influence. If we understood what we can and need to accomplish as a whole, we would be wasting less of our time and contributing more positively to the world. I claim no perfection in being an exemplar of social/political activity but I am starting to get a glimpse of what we are up against and what our responsibility is to our heritage and our society. Lets use this issue to wake up to a sense of our own power.
To conclude for now, let me be clear as to where I stand in regards to my prior injunction. I accept the family as the fundamental unit of society and a divinely ordained institution. The security of the family is founded primarily in the strength of marriage which I only accept as a solemnized union between a man and a woman. No other alternative form of partnership can replace traditional marriage in its primary role in our society. I support all action aimed to guard and strengthen the family relationship and the institution of traditional marriage. Proposition 8 falls in this category.
Wake up. Gear up. Stand up. Vote YES on Prop 8.
PS: Feel free to comment on this one with additional insights and questions. I will do my best to respond to them.
2 comments:
Another reason to vote yes on Prop 8 if you're LDS: this is one of the few issues our leaders have taken a stand on. We are to vote in favor of protecting marriage between a man and a woman if we are going to heed the voices of the Lord's servants. I'd cite a source if I wanted to go and hunt for it, but I don't feel like it. I only know that this is what we've been told to do. Back me (this is Rachael) up on this B. Walker and find the source. :-) That's the number one reason for voting yes on Prop 8 in my book. Although, I'm not a Californian so I don't believe this will appear on my ballot, but I'm sure this issue will appear on my ballot at some point in my lifetime.
Thanks Rachel, a very good reason indeed. Here is your source: http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/california-and-same-sex-marriage
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