As Goes Maine?
November 7, 2009Shortly after Red Hampshire’s launch in May, the New Hampshire political landscape was thrown on its head when the controverial gay marriage bill was held in limbo for weeks while Gov. Lynch flip flopped on his support for the bill. In the end, the Legislature caved to Lynch’s demands and passed the amended bill which is now set to become law January 1st. At the time, it appeared that Lynch would be badly burned by his flip floppery, having been against gay marriage just months before in his campaign for a 3rd term.
As I’m sure as many of you are aware, around the same time that NH was in the midst passing its own law legalizing gay marriage, so was Maine. While, Maine and New Hampshire may be seen as being cut from the same cloth, politically Mainers seem to be politically much further left then many Granite Staters. The referendum on Tuesday is an interesting look at how even the most socially liberal states may not be ready, with the law overturned by a 53-47 margin.
So what does this spell for the future of gay marriage in NH and across the nation? Unsure. What is interesting though, is that in the 31 states where gay marriage has gone to the people, it has failed everytime. Some of the failures have been because of where the votes took place, but in the case of Maine and California, it appears the pro- traditional marriage forces simply out worked the other side. Had the pro gay marriage folks got their voters out, then we may not be having this discussion today.
In New Hampshire, it appears that the law will take effect as planned. That didn’t stop the UL from calling on the legislature to allow Granite Staters the opportunity to have a voice in the process.
Five months after same-sex marriage was passed, and two months before the law takes effect, some legislators are already seeking to erase it. We are on the way to seeing marriage treated as a purely political issue, changed in whatever way the majority party thinks politically beneficial. Marriage is too important to suffer that fate.
This is why defining marriage ought to be up to the people, not politicians or judges. New Hamsphire should let the people have their say. A constitutional amendment would achieve that goal, as would a referrendum.
This isn’t about “hate,” as Rep. Jim Splaine, sponsor of the same-sex marriage bill, irresponsibly claimed on Wednesday. It’s about protecting the cornerstone of modern society. End the political back-and-forth and let the people decide.
The key to this whole debate has always been to allow Granite Staters to let their voices be heard by those in Concord. Will the outcome be the same as what Maine had on Tuesday? Who knows. the only way to find out is to place it on the ballot.
Thom Simmons
Nov 7, 2009
Sure. Place it on the ballot, along with the Right to Bear Arms, the Right to Free Speech, Miranda rights, and a host of other rights. See how far *any* rights get when we move *away* from a Republic and towards French-Revolution style Mob Rule.
It really doesn’t matter WHAT the majority think. We have a representative government for a reason…our Founding Fathers did not believe in Mob Rule.
Of course, we know that these efforts in NH, as well as Itse’s bills, are fruitless: the ’supermajorities’ needed to pass a Constitutional Amendment don’t exist in this state, and Gov Flynch will not “unsign” what he torturously put us all through last year. Rather, these efforts are ways to pander to Cornerstone, solidify the Theocrats, and keep the issue before the minds of voters so its ‘fresh’ in 2010.
It’s also a disgustingly callous way of toying with the hearts, minds, lives, and families of those of us who are gay and who want nothing more than to live our lives just as everyone else. The Yes on 1 Campaign should be condemned, not congratulated, for its lies, innuendos, and filthy politics.
If the GOP starts pushing this issue – rather than allowing it to be Dan Itse’s private obsession – the GOP will be the ultimate loser.
steve vaillancourt
Nov 9, 2009
New Hampshire is not a referendum state. If we were, I can think of about 20 issues I’d like to see voters get a chance to weigh in on, all more significant than gay marraige. How about animal cruelty? Mass voters decided to end dog racing; polls show NH would do the same. Let the people decide. What about trapping, an outmoded cruel system that has no place in civilized society. Let the voters decide. Doctor-assisted suicide–certainly that has more impact than a few gays getting married. Should we let voters decide if people can control their own lives.n What about that procedure to chemically dispose of the dead. Voters should decide. Seat belts. Let’s let the voters decide. Medical marijuana. In fact, legalization of all marijuana. That’s a quick eight issues. I could go on, but you get the point. NH is not a referendum state, so to say voters should weigh in on gay marriage is, sadly, just leading Republicans down a road to destruction. This is not what we need if we are to retake the House and Senate in 2010. The distraction is not merely beign; it is out and out harmful, so wake up and get off this kick. The Maine voter was 53-47; I bet if it had been during a normal turnout election, it would have passed and will pass next time…as it would pass in NH. But again, speculation is not the point…if you want to open the state up to referendums, first you need to change the Constitution (a high hurdle indeed in a state where such an inoffensive amendment as gender neutral language failed). You’ll never get 240 House members and 15 senators to pass a const amendment on to voters, so why are you wasting our time with this? It only makes Republicans look foolish!
As usual, Thom is absolutely correct.
erniegore
Nov 9, 2009
The last time I can remember “as Maine goes” being used was when FDR took every state except Maine and one other, against Alf Landon in 1936 as I recall. Remember what that other state was then? VERMONT. Talk about ironies.
The line then was, “As Maine goes, so goes Vermont.”
It had about as much relevance as this inane and insane appeal to the red meat GOPPERs now.
You do us all a disservice, Matt.
Vis Unita Fortior
Nov 9, 2009
Wow, you remember that ernie? ;^) Just kidding…