I hope so, An Other Greek, but we can’t assume anything. There’s a reason why the Founders In Their Wisdom (tip o the hat to “Justice” Scalia) established the US as a representative democracy, and not a direct democracy: the People, for the most part, are idiots–easily swayed by stupid emotional arguments, religious hocuspocus, and their own base fears and prejudices (anyone for a chorus of “bitter people clinging to religion and guns”?). And THOSE are the people the State of California is entrusting with deciding whether or not we are allowed to form legal unions with the people we love.
California’s proposition system is unique for a reason: it rarely results in desirable outcomes, and more often results in creating the kind of I-don’t-want-to-pay-taxes-but-I-want-all-the-services deficits and fiscal crises we’re facing today.
However, as Mother Jones said, “Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living” — I suppose it’s possible we can overcome history (all states but one that considered an anti-marriage amendment or law have passed it, including California) and actually discard the BushRoveCheney wedge politics. I’m not optimistic, especially given recent polls slightly favorable to our side, that can lead to complacency.
But I’d be totally happy to be proven wrong here.
Posted: Jun 3, 2008 at 11:40 am
· @Reply
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I think another issue is getting pro-marriage voters to the booths. Anti-gay voters get pissed and make it a point to make their voices heard. Our straight allies and even gays may be for marriage equality, but simply be satisfied with a clear conscience without voting for it.
Yeah, great. I wish I could find this even remotely funny any more.
After the most recent news on that front, I’m as un-amused by this as EMB.
let’s hope California steps up and leads the nation to a post-wedge-issue era…
it is quite possible that we are ready.
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I hope so, An Other Greek, but we can’t assume anything. There’s a reason why the Founders In Their Wisdom (tip o the hat to “Justice” Scalia) established the US as a representative democracy, and not a direct democracy: the People, for the most part, are idiots–easily swayed by stupid emotional arguments, religious hocuspocus, and their own base fears and prejudices (anyone for a chorus of “bitter people clinging to religion and guns”?). And THOSE are the people the State of California is entrusting with deciding whether or not we are allowed to form legal unions with the people we love.
California’s proposition system is unique for a reason: it rarely results in desirable outcomes, and more often results in creating the kind of I-don’t-want-to-pay-taxes-but-I-want-all-the-services deficits and fiscal crises we’re facing today.
However, as Mother Jones said, “Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living” — I suppose it’s possible we can overcome history (all states but one that considered an anti-marriage amendment or law have passed it, including California) and actually discard the BushRoveCheney wedge politics. I’m not optimistic, especially given recent polls slightly favorable to our side, that can lead to complacency.
But I’d be totally happy to be proven wrong here.
I think another issue is getting pro-marriage voters to the booths. Anti-gay voters get pissed and make it a point to make their voices heard. Our straight allies and even gays may be for marriage equality, but simply be satisfied with a clear conscience without voting for it.