[Luis Gonzalez]

My debate is simple.

What does the Constitution say?

The Constitution says that each individual State defines marriage.

There will not be 50 differing opinions because there are not 50 available combinations. There will simply be a combination of any number of States either recognizing same-sex marriages or not.

The rest then is left to Congress, as they define the general rules under which States can exempt themselves from the Full Faith and Credit Clause, when a conflict arises between a State which does not recognize same-sex marriages, and citizens married in a State that does.

A Republic, if we can keep it.

[Snuffington]

What does the Constitution say?

Glad you asked....

Article. V. The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate

The Constitution says that each individual State defines marriage.

Um.. no. It is silent on the issue. That is not the same thing.

You seem to believe that state laws are more inviolate than a properly ratified amendment to the Constitution. Why is that?