The Common Man's Politics

The same sex marriage ban amendment is a new strategy that doesn't have anything to do with same sex marriage. The Bush administration doesn't like the decisions they get out of the courts on these (and many other) issues. So they've code worded their disagreement with judges' decisions as "activist judges" and began a strategy that effectively cuts the courts out of the checks and balances system -- writing laws directly into the Constitution where they escape judicial review. It is their test run of a legal loophole, and exploiting it is the lowest form of anti-American behavior I've ever seen out of public officials. I hope everyone notices that the Republicans have two Constitutional amendments they are actively pushing -- one that takes rights away from Americans and one that allows foreigners to become President. And they're the ones who've been challenging people's patriotism. I must also say that I'll be deeply disappointed in the Democrats if they don't forcefully and directly challenge this push to drag the Constitution through the mud of partisan politics.

If the judges they are referring to are truly "activist judges" then the appeals process will correct it. Checks and Balances are cumbersome by design, it keeps radical changes from taking place before proper scrutiny can filter out the bad ideas.

All Americans must stand against the politicizing of the Constitution and the war on the Judicial Branch (regardless of how they feel about same sex marriage). The Constitution and the Judicial Branch are the sanity checks of our Nation and mucking with them is a "slippery slope" that will eventually unravel the foundation that this great country stands on. One wonders if that is the goal since radical right wing ideology rarely survives judicial or Constitutional review.

I conclude with this quote from The Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State:

"I do not want to see the legacy of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison revised by President Bush under pressure from Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell."