My mom the political wonk

My mom recently submitted a letter to one of the local newspapers regarding question 1 on the ballot that Mainers will vote on November 8, and they published it. To make a long story short, Maine citizens voted down special anti-discrimination laws twice but our governor found a way to force the law on the books without involving the voters. Apparently there were enough people in Maine to put a people's veto of that bill on the ballot.

So without further ado, here's Mom's piece. I thought it was pretty well written and well-reasoned.

Read the Constitution first

There are many people urging the citizens of Maine to vote NOT to reject the legislation extending special rights to people based on their sexual orientation. These appeals seem reasonable, even noble, until examined in light of some considerations to the contrary.
Our Maine Constitution states in Article 1 Section 6A: “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor be denied the equal protection of the laws, nor be denied the enjoyment of that persons civil rights or be discriminated against in the exercise thereof.”

Unfortunately, expressing disapproval of the gay/lesbian lifestyle is being labeled “discrimination,” and characterizing those who consider that lifestyle immoral as “hate-mongers,” “bigoted” and “intolerant” has become commonplace. Those who support or practice a homosexual or bisexual lifestyle have the right to expect tolerance, but they can hardly assume it implies either validation or approval by others, or that it demands legislation. Many Americans cherish their right and responsibility to reflect the values of this country’s traditional and spiritual heritage by its laws. As recently as 1988 California proposed and passed a bill requiring that whenever sex education was taught, “course material and instruction shall stress that a monogamous, heterosexual relationship within marriage is a traditional American value.”

I encourage all Maine citizens to read our State Constitution’s Preamble and Articles 1-6A carefully to decide whether further legislation was even necessary to maintain the rights of all Maine citizens granted therein. We must also ask ourselves if condoning the immoral behavioral choices of a few by passing this bill into law is in accordance with the original intent of this document we have upheld since its inception.

-Wendy Pelletier