More on Prop 8 and Less Government

Continuing from yesterday’s post, I’m very divided on this issue of Prop 8 (gay marriage ban), or more accurately the outcome of the vote that passed Prop 8.  To reiterate, I’m all for ANYone partnering with ANYone, as long as they’re not my kids (for now).  Whether it’s a union called ‘marriage’ or whatever, it’s fine by me among consenting adults.

That said, the people voted to pass Prop 8 and ban gay marriage.  Now the Libertarian in me says, ‘that’s OK’, because it was put to a vote and the people want to ban gay marriage.  So now I’m in a bind; I’m very much AGAINST Prop 8, but I have to concede that since the voters of that stupid state of California have spoken, I really can’t say much else.

Sure I disagree with the outcome, but I also disagreed with BOTH Bush elections, but I had to accept the outcome and move on until the next election.  This is what voting is all about and, if I choose to participate in this democratic system, I have to accept the choice of the people.

Many arguments come out of this, like “What if people voted to prevent Jews from eating in restaurants?”, or “What if voters decided to teach only WHITE children in school?”….blah, blah, blah and these are good points.  However, if the majority feel this way, then things MUST be that way, however right or wrong you may think it is, right?  What about Megan’s Law?  Isn’t that some form of discrimination?  Sure as hell, I wanna know if some child molester is living near my kid and, yeah, his/her rights have been compromised, but for some reason no one’s protesting for them.  I mean, can’t one make the argument that even criminals should have privacy rights?  Same as when terrorists are caught based on some surveillance now allowed under Nixon…I mean Bush, but there, too, rights have been removed, but apparently it’s OK.

Our country’s flawed in many ways, but it’s still the greatest country on the planet.  I do think that the people of CA have spoken and if that isn’t acceptable, then what is acceptable?  Let the Government decide?  Someone has to decide what becomes a law and if it’s put to the people, then that’s democracy in action.  Blame your ill-informed neighbors or blame yourself for not supporting your cause before the election.  As much as I whine about the stupidity of the people of this country, I also think that 

Protesting the voice of the people is the silliest thing to do right now.  I can’t speak for anyone else, but my feeling on protests is that no one, repeat NO ONE who doesn’t already agree with you is going to listen.  People believe what they want and all a protest is doing is getting a bunch of like-minded people to attract other like-minded people.  Things generally change for financial or political reasons; rarely, if ever, do things change when the opposition stops in their tracks and suddenly realizes they’ve been misinformed and then change their view.  It’s not gonna happen.

I’m not saying to throw down your gauntlet and give up all hope for freedom.  I am saying to get involved and get others involved in creating a better world.  Voting is your chance to speak, to elect like-minded representatives and to help pass laws that preserve freedom, protect our lives and homes and protect our right to privacy and protect our right to spend our lives how we want and with whom we choose.  

So, all Californian voters take note: when Prop 8 comes up on the next ballot, please vote NO.  This is a compassionate vote to allow others (who may be different from you) the same rights and freedoms you share in this country.  And everyone should remember the words of Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984):

…They came first for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist;
And then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist;
And then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;
And then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up.

I have NO idea whatsoever what my original point was, but isn’t it pretty damn impressive that I can include some famous quotes here?