As stated by many and understood by few the recent marriage amendment issue created a diversion away from the really important issues, like the Iraq War, wire-tapping, and human needs issues.
The Salt Lake Tribune today reports that Republicans may have accomplished their political goal: energizing their base in a tough election year.
Paired with debate scheduled next week on prohibiting desecration of the flag, the two proposed constitutional amendments could change the subject – at least temporarily – as many members of Congress face voters after a spate of Washington scandals. Republicans, fearing a Democratic takeover of one or both houses, brought up the marriage amendment to stoke their base, observers say.
The Senate voted yesterday on whether or not to take the marriage amendment to a vote. It failed. Senator Orrin Hatch insists that Americans demand that there be a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between a man and a woman.
Proponents had said they had four more votes for ending debate than they did in 2004, but only picked up one. Forty-eight senators voted to continue debate.
Hatch said in a statement that the Senate will again bring up the issue “because the American people demand it.”
“For millions of people in Utah and throughout country, no issue is more important than this one,” said Hatch, who co-sponsored the proposed amendment. “As we see it, marriage and family life are the bedrock of American society.”
But he added, “We aren’t going to fall back and cry about today’s vote.”
There you go. “no issue is as important as this one”. That’s the diversion folks. Yup. There’s no more important issues to our world and our health and our lives than who and what defines marriage. Not even hunger issues or survival issues for the elderly, or health care issues.
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 