Lawrence residents to ‘wed’ in California, seek recognition in Kansas

The Lawrence Journal-World reports this evening that Lawrence residents Mike Silverman and Dave Greenbaum plan to travel to California June 17 to ‘marry’ under the state’s new Supreme Court ruling. The two then plan to return to Kansas and seek recognition of their ‘marriage’ under the full faith and credit clause of the US Constitution.

Even thought the Legislature passed and residents approved by more than a 2 to 1 majority a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman, the lawsuit may succeed because the US Constitution would take priority over the state Constitution.

This is why even though Massachusetts has had gay ‘marriage’ for several years now, the California ruling is really the bigger threat. California law allows for recognition of their marriage licenses by other states. This is the spring board gay activists have been waiting for to force gay marriage on the entire nation and not just certain states. If you doubt this, look no further than New York where the new governor has ordered state agencies to recognize out of state same sex marriage licenses.

Gay marriage is again becoming the calling point of the conservative movement and might just be the calling needed to thrust more conservatives into office. It now becomes paramount that a constitutional amendment on the ballot in California this November be passed and that conservative candidates in other states, including Kansas, clearly articulate the threat the California ruling poses to Kansas citizens. It’s a sad state of affairs when a California court with no jurisdiction in Kansas can change our culture with the stroke of a pan, but that’s the way it is today.

Neutral polls show that the measure stands a good chance at passing, with 54% in favor of the ban and 35% opposed, according to the LA Times.

Where conservatives went wrong in ‘04 they must get right in ‘08. We must articulate the underlying problem behind gay marriage, which is an out of control judiciary. Six of the seven justices on the California Supreme Court were appointed by Republican governors. Citizens are no longer able to decide their own destiny when seven people can bring gay marriage to an entire nation, another seven can pass a $1 billion tax hike and single handedly stop the enforcement of laws on the books without ruling them unconstitutional.

And keep in mind…the law the court ruled unconstitutional was a statewide proposition passed in 2000 defining marriage as between one man and one woman. So, seven people overruled the wishes of 61% of Californians. Think about that the next time you think the Kansas Constitutional amendment will save us.

I read an article today saying that the modern conservative movement has run its course and needs to be reborn.

I would counter that the conservative movement has gotten off track by not staying true to itself. We must get back to foundational truth, that the only one responsible for you…is you! The only one that has a responsibility to feed you and clothe you and give you a job…is you! That the only ‘rights’ you have are those specifically given by the constitution, not one more and not one less. And that the only responsibilities of the federal government are those specifically given to it by the constitution, not more and not less.

What kind of a nation do we live in where our government is more worried about creating more ‘rights’ and responsiblities, like providing health care to everyone when they can’t even secure the borders which IS mandated by the constitution?

Conservatives need to start facing some facts. When has the government ever done something right? When has the government ever done something that actually helps someone? Hey, I’m as glad as the next guy to get $1,200 back in a tax rebate, but let’s face facts, it was mine to begin with. Why should I thank some bureaucrat for giving me back MY MONEY? When conservatives campaign, I’d love to hear someone stand up and say, “Hey, I’m not the answer to your problems. You know what the answer is to your problems? YOU!”

That’s what America needs right now. And I hope this ruling will light a fire under those that understand that.