PROP 8 – Vote NO
This Proposal:
This measure, ELIMINATES THE RIGHT OF SAME–SEX COUPLES TO MARRY by amending the California State Constitution to state that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.
Recommendation:
My recommendation is to vote NO. If you read my previous post regarding this ballot initiative, then you already know my feelings regarding this mean-spirited and bigoted initiative and the people supporting it. This proposed constitutional amendment is about one thing and one thing only: requiring the state to treat one class of citizens differently than another class of citizens. As a society, we’re supposed to have grown beyond that type of narrow-mindedness. We’re supposed to have left the days of racism, gender bias, and religious intolerance behind us. In the same way that it is wrong to discriminate against people of color, of different religions, of different genders, it’s wrong to treat same sex couples differently under the law than you treat heterosexual couples. These are human beings with the same right to fall in love, marry, and live out their lives in peace and freedom.
As for the argument that same sex couples are already protected by domestic partnerships laws, you should be aware that California statutes clearly identify nine real differences between marriage and domestic partnerships. Therefore, only real marriage provides gay couples with full protection under the law.
As for the argument that same sex marriage will be taught to children in public school, my response is, SO WHAT? At the most, children might be taught that people of the same sex are allowed to marry, although it is highly unlikely that this type of discussion would occur in the younger grades and they probably already know it anyway. And if this goes against some religious doctrine that some parents might wish to impart to their children, certainly these parents should have enough confidence in their influence upon their children’s upbringing to counter any confusion their children might experience. As I said in my previous post, regardless of whether or not you like how this group has chosen to live their lives or whether their choices make you uncomfortable or don’t fit in with your sense of morality, your right to disapprove does not trump their fundamental right to be treated the same as everyone else.
Finally, I predict that should this ballot initiative pass, it will be challenged in the courts, perhaps going all the way to the US Supreme Court. Let’s not waste taxpayer dollars in an attempt to codify bigotry into our state constitution.
For more information: Voter Information Guide – Prop 8
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by David Boaz or 
by David Bergland, both excellent books on libertarian thought.
Comment by lucid | October 30th, 2008
I agreevote NO on 8. The issue is not a gay marage issue. It is a civil and humanitarian one. All (wo)men were created equil and have certin rights. Re-writing the state constitution is wrong and takes us back 100 years.
Lucid
[Reply]