By Courtney Harris
I am writing today to express my opinion on the Proposition 8 issue. First of all, I think that everyone, gay, straight or indifferent should be allowed to marry whomever they choose. Whether or not people like to hear it, you cannot choose who you fall for whether society thinks its wrong or not. I think laws should not prevent you from showing the commitment with another person that comes when exchanging vows.
My issue is not with the marriage part of it at all. My objection comes with the issue of the California Supreme Court having the authority to overturn the decision. I understand that the gay rights activists are very upset because the vote did not legalize same-sex marriage, but if the Supreme Court had overturned that decision it would have sent a clear message to all of the state that our votes mean nothing.
The California residents voted, some for and some against, and the votes spoke. If the Supreme Court has the authority to overturn any vote, what is the point of voting? I like the fact that I live in a place where, at least locally, my voice matters. At a national level I don”t think I have that same feeling, but that is a whole separate issue. If the Supreme Court were to overrule my decision as a voter in the matter, where would it stop? In the most recent votes regarding the tax increases, if the Supreme Court had overturned our votes there, we would have all been outraged. Why is it supported by some to overturn some votes and not others? We cannot have it both ways. If the Supreme Court has the authority to overturn all votes then why not allow them to make the decisions for us? Why vote at all?
I put this to you not as an argument for or against gay marriage, but as just my opinion on the matter above the decision.
Courtney Harris
Lakeport
