Re: Marriage Amendment: It's Not Just About Your Opinion, It's About the Constitution

When you head to the voting booth and see the Marriage Amendment on the ballot, you may think that this a simple "for" or "against" decision. It's not.

There are actually several things to consider.

1)  If you are a Libertarian, who believes in individual freedom, then you should vote NO. This is the very definition of a restriction of individual liberty. We, as a state, are deciding who an individual can or cannot marry.

2) If you believe in the Constitution as the absolute guide for all of our laws, then you also must vote NO. The Constitution should never act as a discriminatory tool to limit the rights of individuals. The Constitution is a guideline for everyone, not a restriction on some.

3) If you believe in the separation of powers, then you must vote NO. This amendment's language is already state law and part of the legislative process. Yet, with a constitutional amendment, the legislature is bypassing the executive and judicial branches to add their input into the process.

4) If you believe in generational rights, then you must vote NO. The current generation may believe in the exclusive marriage definition of "one man, one woman," but there is strong evidence that this view will not be the view of the next generation. Current legislation can be changed with a legislative vote, but if enshrined in the Constitution, the whole process has to be reversed.

So when voting on Nov. 6, consider this amendment vote carefully. It is not just about your opinion. It's about the Constitution.