Considering how much Walker's decision relies on California laws that don't have equivalents in some other states, I have to wonder if it would be possible for SCOTUS to ultimately affirm his decision in a way that neuters marriage licensing in California, but doesn't automatically do so for the rest of the union. That wouldn't be as bad as inventing a right for all people in America to get neutered marriage licenses wherever they are.
Also, I think it is unlikely SCOTUS will rule in a way that prevents all states from issuing neutered marriage licenses. Perhaps SCOTUS will rule in a way that invalidates all prior lower court decisions forcing the neutering of state marriage licensing, thus only leaving legislative marriage neutering in place. More likely, I think, is the possibility that SCOTUS will rule that states may have a bride+groom requirement in their marriage licensing and perhaps also allow those states not to recognize neutered marriage licenses from other states.
As such, state leadership is still very important for this issue, and so voting is still important. If you're a citizen and a registered voter, you get to vote for your Governor and your state legislature. In some states, you get to vote directly on ballot measure and judges.
Exercise this power. Convince like-minded people to register to vote and vote. There are far too many people, who understand that marriage unites the sexes and that children should be raised within such a marriage, who are not registering to vote and not bothering to vote.
In California, Governor Schwarzenegger used his veto in a way that was clearly influenced by the vote of the people on the marriage issue. Voting does matter, even when judges like Walker try to force their will on us.
That wouldn't be as bad as inventing a right for all people in America to get neutered marriage licenses wherever they are.
ReplyDeleteThe reason I think neutered marriage in California would be bad for the rest of the nation is because of the leading role California----specifically Hollywood---plays in our culture. I would venture to say, in fact, that if it weren't for Hollywood's pushing the issue, far fewer Americans would support neutering marriage than now do. If marriage actually is neutered in California, this would be a major step toward changing the meaning all Americans have toward marriage. I think it's because of this that advocates of neutering marriage have probably been pushing harder for it in California, and New York (the other state that most influences the nation's culture), than they have been in any other states, though the New England states have been somewhat easier for them because they've already been more primed for it, as has Iowa's court system.