It's About Equality, People
In last week's HRC debate, Governor Richardson got it absolutely right. The issue isn't whether homosexuality is a choice or a genetic trait. The issue is that everyone in this country deserves equal and fair treatment in the law. Quite simply, there is no Constitutional basis for denying gays, lesbian, bisexuals and transgendered persons rights that heterosexual Americans take for granted, no matter how strongly that heterosexual person feels their interpretation of THEIR religion is correct.
The great Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes stated that our Constitution was written for people with widely different values. That is to say, regardless of our value systems, regardless of our differing views of religion, we all have the same right to live, work and play as we choose in these United States of America. Equity is the basis of our Constitution, and when we accept the notion of laws based upon one particular demographic group's values, we begin to tear away at the foundation of our society.
The response of so many to Governor Richardson's remarks of last week shows a dangerous tendency to confuse style with substance. Clearly, of all the candidates running in either party, Governor Richardson has the finest overall record with respect to adhering to the Constitution of the United States of America and to ensuring that all of its citizens enjoy the protections guaranteed in that document.
The bottom line is this: on January 20, 2009, a new President will be sitting behind the desk in the Oval Office. Americans need to ask themselves in all seriousness, of all the candidates now running, which one would best fulfill the President's mandate of preserving, protecting and defending the Constitution of the United States?
To me, the answer is clear. The answer is Governor Bill Richardson.
The great Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes stated that our Constitution was written for people with widely different values. That is to say, regardless of our value systems, regardless of our differing views of religion, we all have the same right to live, work and play as we choose in these United States of America. Equity is the basis of our Constitution, and when we accept the notion of laws based upon one particular demographic group's values, we begin to tear away at the foundation of our society.
The response of so many to Governor Richardson's remarks of last week shows a dangerous tendency to confuse style with substance. Clearly, of all the candidates running in either party, Governor Richardson has the finest overall record with respect to adhering to the Constitution of the United States of America and to ensuring that all of its citizens enjoy the protections guaranteed in that document.
The bottom line is this: on January 20, 2009, a new President will be sitting behind the desk in the Oval Office. Americans need to ask themselves in all seriousness, of all the candidates now running, which one would best fulfill the President's mandate of preserving, protecting and defending the Constitution of the United States?
To me, the answer is clear. The answer is Governor Bill Richardson.
That said - I'm still with the good Governor. He was tired and he mis-spoke. I wish I could say that I never did that, but I can't.
We have so many issues at hand now and clearly the answer is Governor Bill Richardson.
Yes, homosexuality may be genetic. I'd be very surprised if anyone chose to be homosexual in our society, but that isn't the point. The point is, these intolerant right wingers have NO Constitutional basis for discriminating against anyone, regardless of the choices they make. When we accept the notion that homsexuality has to have a genetic component before it can be protected, we are accepting a false view of our Constitution. the Constitution exists to restrict government, not people, so unless the Constitution specifically grants government the right to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, the government has no such power.
In short, if our government were following the constitution, civil marriage would either not exist or would be equally available to everyone.
Don't give away your rights!!!!!!!!