Discrimination
The Legislature voted today to place a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban recognition of gay marriage and all civil unions (heterosexual and homosexual) on the November ballot. There is already a law on the books that prohibits gay marriage. Now the Legislature wants to prohibit even straight couples from entering into a civil union. This proposal goes too far!
I am extremely disappointed in our elected officials, including state Representative Carol Owens and state Senator Carol Roessler, for wanting to write discrimination into our state constitution. State Representative Gregg Underheim is to be commended for standing up against this attack on civil rights. He understands that a constitution affords people rights, not take them away.
It's time now for everyone who believes in basic civil rights to stand up and oppose this blatant attempt to write discrimination into law. I'm reminded of the words of Rev. Martin Niemoller:
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out.
I hope you will join me in speaking out against this proposed constitutional amendment. To learn more about what you can do to help stop discrimination from being written into our state constitution, visit Action Wisconsin. I also encourage contacting our state representatives to express to them disappointment (Carol and Carol) and appreciation (Gregg). And to supporters of this legislation, I only hope and pray you are never the target of such overtly discriminatory and hateful action.
-Bryan
I am extremely disappointed in our elected officials, including state Representative Carol Owens and state Senator Carol Roessler, for wanting to write discrimination into our state constitution. State Representative Gregg Underheim is to be commended for standing up against this attack on civil rights. He understands that a constitution affords people rights, not take them away.
It's time now for everyone who believes in basic civil rights to stand up and oppose this blatant attempt to write discrimination into law. I'm reminded of the words of Rev. Martin Niemoller:
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out.
I hope you will join me in speaking out against this proposed constitutional amendment. To learn more about what you can do to help stop discrimination from being written into our state constitution, visit Action Wisconsin. I also encourage contacting our state representatives to express to them disappointment (Carol and Carol) and appreciation (Gregg). And to supporters of this legislation, I only hope and pray you are never the target of such overtly discriminatory and hateful action.
-Bryan
3 Comments:
What is wrong with "The People" having a voice. If more vote against it, then it will not pass.
By Anonymous, at March 01, 2006 3:22 PM
Mr. Bain only wants the people to have a voice when they agree with him. Aren't you the same guy who wanted the people to have a voice on the war referendum?
By Anonymous, at March 01, 2006 3:39 PM
Anonymous (March 01, 2006 3:22 PM)-
There's nothing wrong with "the people" having a voice, and I do hope more vote against it than for it. I agree with Rep. Underheim, this is a social policy issue and not something appropriate for a constitution. My point is that our legislators should not be discussing and voting on discriminatory constitutional amendments.
Anonymous (March 01, 2006 3:39 PM)-
I enjoy hearing from people, regardless of whether we agree or disagree. I encourage you to review previous posts on this blog, almost all anonymous I'll point out, as evidence to support this. I also encourage you to, if you haven't already, attend a Fifth Tuesday Forum, email me, call me, send me mail or come to a council meeting so that we can discuss the issues.
-Bryan
By Bryan L. Bain, at March 01, 2006 4:44 PM
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