The New Jersey Supreme Court ruling is already seeing a ripple effect across the country whether it’s mobilizing legislative efforts, political efforts or just the common man as message boards lit up with debates and discussion. One message board I visited yesterday saw 40 responses to a post about the ruling in fewer than 5 minutes. Whether you view marriage as a holy pact between a man and a woman, a religious arrangement or a nuisance that you’d just rather not have to discuss – the country is being galvanized from all quarters.
The Ripple Effect
In Virginia, backers of the constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriages and civil unions stated that the decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court ruling will drive supporters to the polls and help pass the ballot measure. Opponents of the constitutional amendment feel that it will galvanize opponents as well, but even if it doesn’t – the precedent for challenging the legislation with regard to civil unions will now be available to them.
There are worries that the courts are overstepping their boundaries by ordering the legislatures around, but it should be noted that our government is a series of checks and balances and that it is within the purview of the judicial branches to make those ‘judgment’ calls on the legality of laws.
Senator Clinton
Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton of New York was quoted as supporting the right of the states and state legislatures to make the decision on same-sex civil unions and marriage. She carefully refrained from ever making her own opinion clear on the subject, instead stating that she would obey the will of the people on this one. She is comfortable with their decision making ability and that she still opposes federalizing the decision despite her numerous and well-documented disagreements with the Bush Administration.
Speaking of President Bush
President Bush, on the other hand, is seizing on the decision to highlight in the upcoming elections, just a few days away now in an effort to polarize voters. This issue, despite the contention it receives in the news, seemed secondary to most voters who were more influenced by opposition to the Republican Party and near certainty that their control of the House and Senate were in severe danger come November 7.
It should be noted that President Bush abandoned his efforts to force a constitutional amendment through Congress to block gay marriage because they would not have a two-thirds majority needed to pass such an amendment. There is a great hope amongst the Republican Party that this decision will bring out Christian evangelical voters and direct the spotlight away from voter dissatisfaction with Iraq and numerous other issues.
Get Out The Vote
While mid-term elections are not usually so hotly contested, more and more Americans seem determined to make sure their voices are heard. On one message board, a poster that identified himself as a 35-year-old man stated that this was the first time in his life he truly felt compelled to vote – and the mid-term elections would see him casting a ballot for the first time.
Our country is a great place, where debates are given a forum to be heard, decided on and challenged by the people and for the people. So will you be voting this November?
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