April 9, 2009
Let the People Vote!
For my newsletter this week, I am offering the text of a speech I gave on the House floor yesterday.
I stand today to share my conviction that the situation before us is so grave it takes my breath away. Our 1st Amendment rights passed in 1791 are at stake. Our state motto “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain” are in the balance. 117 years of freedom is about to be undone. Our 1st amendment right of freedom of speech and freedom of religion is hanging by a thread.
The resistance to limiting first amendment rights has historically been so extreme that pornography and the viewing of children on-line in thinly veiled clothing has been defended by our courts.
Most people are not aware that ministers in Canada are sitting in prison today because of committing “hate crimes”. Their offense? Simply reading from Romans 1 in the Bible. Romans 1 lists a number of sins: things such as gossip, arrogance. One of the sins listed is homosexual acts. Reading from the Bible is the great crime committed by these ministers.
Many argue these principles do not apply today. Whether you agree or not, many brave men and women have died protecting the first amendment rights no longer permitted in Canada. With the ruling that was handed down last Friday, we are galloping toward that same end.
In Massachusetts, Catholic charities were told they could NOT discriminate against same-sex couples when placing children for adoption. John Garvey, Dean of Boston Law College and Ron Madnick of Massachusetts Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State agree. I quote Madnick, “Even if Catholic Charities ceased to receive tax support and gave up its role as a state contractor, they could STILL NOT refuse to place children with same sex couples.” They no longer place children for adoption. In Massachusetts, Catholic Charities’ rights to exercise their religion has been denied.
In December, 2006, the Becket Fund got together 10 religious liberty scholars to examine the issue of the impact of gay marriage. Many of these scholars support gay marriage. One of them was Chai Feldblum, a Georgetown professor who proudly refers to herself as a LGBT advocate. I quote, “Gay right’s supporters often try to portray themselves as purely neutral and having no moral implications. But not all discrimination is bad.” She goes on to say, “When we pass a law saying you may not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, you are burdening those with an alternative view. I am having a hard time coming up with any case in which religious liberty should win.” She adds, “Sexual liberty should win in most cases. There can be a conflict between religious liberty and sexual liberty but in almost all cases allowing sexual liberty is the only way dignity for the LGBT community can be affirmed in any realistic manner.” As General Council for the American Jewish Congress, Mark Stern knows religious liberty in and out. He says, “Chai Feldblum is among the most reasonable of gay rights advocates.’ He continues, “If She is having trouble coming up with circumstances in which religious liberties should win, we are in trouble.”
This situation goes way beyond tolerance, and way beyond permitting people to love who they choose to love. Our very first amendment rights are in jeopardy this week, here in this chamber. We must pass HJR6 out of this body. Please LET THE PEOPLE VOTE! Our Democracy depends on it!
I am constructing this newsletter on Thursday, after a “Let Us Vote” rally on the Capitol west steps. Later 600 members who are demanding a Constitutional Amendment on marriage filled the galleries as the Republicans attempted to bring HJR 6 (the Constitutional Amendment) up on the House floor. After a 30-minute discussion took place in the House “well”, Speaker Murphy announced our motion was out of order. This was followed by a “Let Us Vote!” chant from the gallery.
More attempts to bring it out will follow.
Question of the Week… Do you support a Constitutional Amendment allowing the people to vote on the Supreme Court ruling of last Friday?
Please press control & click on this link to participate in this survey----
Visitors to the Capitol this week--- Lobbying on HJR 6 - Constituent Margene Pierce, and her children Benjamin, Sarah, Jonathan, Stephen, and Ethan all of rural Grinnell. Tom Pettinga, Angie Binns, Melanee & Micah Leaverton from Oskaloosa. Also Lobbying on HJR 6, David Pierce, Roberta See, and Nancy Weaver from Grinnell. Teacher Renee Van Kooten and Principal Jason Alons along with ten 7th grade students from Oskaloosa Christian School. Former House page Gloria Steinke and 20 other Tri-County High School Seniors and two of their teachers.
I would appreciate your input. My phone number at the Capitol is 515-281-3221, e-mail me at betty.deboef@legis.state.ia.us, or my web site at http://iowahouserepublicans.com/members/betty-de-boef. ; I would welcome visitors at the Capitol, too!