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A SCOTUS-proof Cons. Amend. Where The Voters Decide Over Same-Sex Marriage Within Their State.
December 2, 2004 | Laissez-Faire Capitalist

Posted on 12/02/2004 8:30:58 AM PST by Laissez-faire capitalist

It appears that within the next 5-6 years all but 2 to 3 states will ban same-sex marriage. While we need an Amendment to the Constitution of the U.S. to absolutely make sure that traditional marriage, the union between one man and one woman, cannot be overturned in any state by a district court, an appellate one or even the Supreme Court of the United States, we need a back up plan in case this route fails.

The problem is, is that presently there are too many within the the halls of Congress that are opposed to such an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which President Bush supports, that would establish that marriage shall consist of a union only between a man and a woman and which would be binding in every state. Most of those who oppose this amendment are opposed on the grounds that the issue of whether or not to ban same-sex marriage is a states right issue.

Here's the solution that gives everyone what they want.

An Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that will have two parts.

1.) The voters in each state will decide whether or not same-sex marriage will be banned within the borders of their respective decide. Majority rule will decide.

2.) Those states which ban same-sex marriage shall not have to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.

What is good about such an amendment is that those who want to protect traditional marriage within the states will have a court-proof way to do so. No court could overturn the will of the people in each state that banned same-sex marraige with such an amendment in place.

As well, those Senators and Representatives who oppose the amendment that President Bush supports, on the grounds that it is a states right issue, would have no excuse not to vote for such a state-friendly amendment to the U.S. Constitution.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: constitution; judicialactivism; majorityovercourts; majorityrulemadness; marraige; minorityrulemadness; noitsjudicialmadness; wecanttrustthecourts
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1 posted on 12/02/2004 8:30:58 AM PST by Laissez-faire capitalist
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To: Laissez-faire capitalist

An amendment in favor of States' Rights? On all issues, or just this one?


2 posted on 12/02/2004 8:32:53 AM PST by Wolfie
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To: Laissez-faire capitalist
Another appraoch would be a Constitutional amendment that simply said: "Nothing in this document shall be construed to require that States recognize same-sex marriages".

Short and to the point.

3 posted on 12/02/2004 8:33:35 AM PST by Rodney King (No, we can't all just get along)
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To: Laissez-faire capitalist

Any and all Constitutional amendments are SCOTUS proof.


4 posted on 12/02/2004 8:34:43 AM PST by Phantom Lord (Advantages are taken, not handed out)
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To: Laissez-faire capitalist
What I find interesting about his is the divide between the "strict constructionists and the "constitution is putty" brigade.

The strict constructionists believe that the Constitution means what it says and the the original intent helps you understand what it means. (Read Federalist papers etc) They believe that the way to change and keep up to date the document is via the amendment process. They are now proposing an amendment.

The "constitution is putty" party believes that the constitution means whatever they feel it means at any moment and that is how it is kept up to date. What is so interesting is how violently they oppose an amendment. "That is only for bigger issues, that is too dramatic, its wrong to do that.. endless reasonless against an amendment". They try to instill fear at the thought of an amendment and yet they will interpret it to mean anything at all at the drop of a hat.

There is no end to the insanity of the reprobate mind.

5 posted on 12/02/2004 8:40:35 AM PST by artios
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To: Wolfie
An amendment in favor of States' Rights? On all issues, or just this one?

All states have agreed what marriage is for 230 years. Only one state court has overturned state law and forced the recognition of gay marriage. With the exception of this judicial fiat, there is no dissent on what marriage is. So why not write it in? We made Utah give up poligamy, is anyone using states rights to demand we allow poligamy?

6 posted on 12/02/2004 8:40:53 AM PST by Always Right
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To: Laissez-faire capitalist

A Constitution should not address narrow issues like SSM. A broader requirement that "States are not be required to give full faith and credit, within their borders, to matters that while legal within another state are not legal within the state in question" would be much better.


7 posted on 12/02/2004 8:45:02 AM PST by MindBender26 (Having your own XM177 E2 means never having to say you are sorry......)
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To: MindBender26
A Constitution should not address narrow issues like SSM. A broader requirement that "States are not be required to give full faith and credit, within their borders, to matters that while legal within another state are not legal within the state in question" would be much better.

Sorry bout that.

8 posted on 12/02/2004 8:47:44 AM PST by MindBender26 (Having your own XM177 E2 means never having to say you are sorry......)
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To: Phantom Lord
Any and all Constitutional amendments are SCOTUS proof.

Nope, your second amendment rights are barred in many places. Supreme Court Judges are going outside the constitution when it suits them now.

The ultimate check on the Supreme Court is impeachment and I am sorry to say that they day may come when congress may have be called to do so. The question is whether our weak-willed congress and senate will do better than the last impeachment process in which they participated.

9 posted on 12/02/2004 8:48:04 AM PST by sr4402
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To: Phantom Lord

I know that all Cons. Amendments are Scotus proof. I hope others do as well.


10 posted on 12/02/2004 8:49:00 AM PST by Laissez-faire capitalist
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To: sr4402

Many judges rule on the grounds that certain Amendments, like the 2nd one, are still subject to "regulating".

While a Cons. Amend is theoretically supposed to be SCOTUS proof actual prcatice has shown this to not be the case, unfortunately.


11 posted on 12/02/2004 8:52:11 AM PST by Laissez-faire capitalist
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To: sr4402
Clealry the point of the posts title and the post is the amendment would need to be crafted and worded in such a way that SCOTUS could not rule it unconstitutional.

And I, correctly pointed out that NO Constitutional Amendment can be declared Unconstitutional by SCOTUS.

Congress could pass and the states could ratify a Constitutional amendment requiring all citizens to wear green on Tuesdays and SCOTUS couldn't do jack squat about it.

12 posted on 12/02/2004 8:52:34 AM PST by Phantom Lord (Advantages are taken, not handed out)
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To: Laissez-faire capitalist

Actually my post should have read that a Cons. Amend. is theoretically supposed to be appelate and district court proof.


13 posted on 12/02/2004 8:57:46 AM PST by Laissez-faire capitalist
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To: Phantom Lord

...SCOTUS proof as long as we don't let tyrant judges dictate what our law enforcement and military do!....that's why the Second Amendment is such an issue with the Marxists....


14 posted on 12/02/2004 8:58:50 AM PST by The Spirit Of Allegiance
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To: All

What do you think about such an amendment in case the present proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to federally only allow marriage between one man and one woaman fails?


15 posted on 12/02/2004 9:00:43 AM PST by Laissez-faire capitalist
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To: MindBender26
There are many ways to amend the Cons. so that the overwhelming majority of people would not have to have same-sex marriage rammed down their throat.

The route which I suggested is just one of them. That which you listed could also be placed within the framework of a Cons. Amend.

What matters is that the will of the people must always come before the will of judicial tyrants and reckless court madness.

Remember how the issue of abortion was a states matter before Roe v. Wade rammed abortion-on-demand down the throats of the majority of people who think that abortion should only be in cases like rape and endangerment to a mother's life?

Partial-birth abortion was banned federally, until it was overturned recently in a few areas of the U.S. by judicial fiat.

The courts need to have alot of their power stripped, but I wont wait until that day. An amend. of which I spoke, of whatever type, is needed to protect the will of the people from same-sex marriage.
16 posted on 12/02/2004 9:18:15 AM PST by Laissez-faire capitalist
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To: scripter; little jeremiah; EdReform; ItsOurTimeNow
Just wanted to see what you thought about this possible route to protect traditional marriage in case the presently proposed Cons. Amend. failed to pass.

No need to catalog it, scripter.
17 posted on 12/02/2004 9:23:54 AM PST by Laissez-faire capitalist
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To: Wolfie

Why don't we just call a constitutional convention?


18 posted on 12/02/2004 9:24:29 AM PST by ClintonBeGone (In Politics, sometimes it's OK for even a Wolverine to root for a Buckeye win.)
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To: Phantom Lord
And I, correctly pointed out that NO Constitutional Amendment can be declared Unconstitutional by SCOTUS.

Portions have - as in the 2nd amendment and will be. And given the chance a liberal SCOTUS would. I can take it to the bank.

19 posted on 12/02/2004 10:27:16 AM PST by sr4402
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To: sr4402
Portions have

Please show me a single SCOTUS ruling that stated a part of the Constitution is unconstitutional.

20 posted on 12/02/2004 10:34:26 AM PST by Phantom Lord (Advantages are taken, not handed out)
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