I'm in the 13th C0ngressional District of V1rginia. Our 26-year incumbant, Frank W0lf has voted over 98% of the time with GWB. It's time for him to go. I'm voting for Judy Feder. She's had experience in gov't, worked on health care policy, and is a strong progressive candidate.
My Senate choice is pretty obvious. I'm voting for Webb. I can't say that I'm as pumped for him as I am for Feder, but he's looking like he'll serve V1rginia well. I just wish he were a little stronger on Gay rights, which should just be called what they are: civil rights.
Speaking of which, I'm voting "NO!!!!" on ballot question 1 which reads:
Question: Shall Article I (the Bill of Rights) of the Constitution of
Virginia be amended to state:
"That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions.
This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of
marriage."?
Now, the first paragraph is foul on its own. Homophobia enshrined in a state constitution. It makes me sick.
The second paragraph is also quite worrisome. In Ohio, some courts have decided that similar language in their constitution bars unmarried women from getting protective orders against their abusive live-in boyfriends. It could invalidate living wills, roommate agreements, custody agreements between people who were never married.
Our lovely State's Attorney (an elected Republican) sneers at our concerns and says that the legislature and he have written opinions and intent statements that they don't mean this to apply to straight people. Or elderly aunts. Or abused girlfriends. But these are the same people who fought to get strict constructionist judges on benches all over our state. And if I remember correctly, strict constructionists are not known for giving a hoot about the legislative intent. They go by the words in the document.
Heck, even the extremely conservative Richmond Times Dispatch is against it.
If you're in VA, vote "No". And whether or not you're in VA, and you'd like to help fight the amendment, go here and find out more.
3 comments:
I disagree with you on GWB, but I won’t argue about it. You have your opinion and I have mine and we are both right because it is what we believe (even though I am more right than you :))
I do agree with you on the homophobic and same sex marriages, though. But I go further. I don’t believe that the government, state or federal, should have a say in what makes two people happy. I’m not even sure I believe that two people should me required by law to be married. And even further, I believe in stem cell research.
And I will be working at the poles next Tuesday. I voted absentee ballot today so I wouldn’t have to leave my working precinct to do so. Hope to see you, metaphorically, at the poles, too.
I wish I could still vote in VA! Because I would join you and try to get Webb into office. Thanks for fighting the good fight.
And the paper? My whole family refers to it as the Times-Disgrace. :)
Here's hoping your sentiments carry the polls!
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