I'll Jump In -- Indiana's Proposed Constitutional Amendment To Limit Marriage Defies Common Sense

Democrats are rightly taken to task by Matt Stone of IndyStudent (see "To My Democrat Friends"), and Bil Browning of The Bilerico Project (see "What They're Saying: Indiana's Marriage Discrimination Amendment"), for remaining mute as HJR0006 sails through our State Legislature. This bill would change our State Constitution to include this definition of marriage:

Section 38. Only a marriage between one (1) man and one (1) woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Indiana. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized.

I do not speak for the Party, nor, do I imagine they would ever ask me to. What I am, is a Democrat.

I don't get it, pure and simple. I cannot understand why anyone cares who gets married to whom. Much less can I grasp even a glimmer of why some people feel compelled to post preemptive strikes against personal freedoms in our State Constitution.

The unfettered Republican majorities in the Indiana House and Senate, have pushed forward this immoral and unAmerican piece of legislation while pretending to singularly occupy the moral high ground and be the stalwarts for what made America great. They are wrong. They are out of step with history. The Party that revels in slogans like "Don't Tread On Me", often revels in treading on others.

Passage is certain. I don't know if Governor Daniels has to sign off on it, and if so, what impact a potential run for the White House might have on a veto or not.

At least all Constitutional amendments must be passed by two successively constituted General Assemblies and ratified by a majority of voters. If speed bumps exist, they are the next two elections and the voters who make it to the polls.