My name is Adam Waller. Email is agw1@aol.com. Phone is 917-836-8799. I recently graduated from CAS (January 2004) as a Poly Sci. major with minors in history and philosophy. This is kind of a prediction that I think is reflective of my political science background.
While gay marriage is an important issue that deserves political attention, I believe the context of the current debate will overshadow any substantive gains to be made in the immediate future. The momentum that gay marriage gains from the current situation will ultimataley serve as an unwelcomed model for legitimate democratic change in the future. Unfortunately, gay marriage as a public policy has not been introduced to the nation appropriately and will most likely suffer a setback as a result. Besides the impending Presidential election that will spark many more conflicts than resolutions, there is another, often overlooked distraction that will halt progress on gay marriage in the near future. In order for this issue or any other major national initiatives to have ‘legs’ in America, state constitutions cannot be overriden by renegade public officials who willingly defy the rule of law. As mayor of San fransico, Gavin Newsome bent California’s constitution to fit his own meaning while ignoring the authoratative text that directs such a highly sensitive issues to the legislature and/or the courts. While I agree in the right of equality granted to all U.S. citizens unequivically, there is a legitimate democratic procedure that cannot be ignored when initiating a substative policy initiative. Looking towards the future, this would set a dangerous precedent for publicity hungry local officials who will use the current situation as an inapproriate templete. This is not a precedent that is worth experimenting with, and I believe this will be evident in gay marriage losing political potency. Until it is brought up in a context conducive to progress in the public policy arena, the system will continue to operate in accordance with the rule of law, no exceptions. The failure of gay marriage to endure may be interpreted as a testimony to the myserious way in which Democracy directs the United States in the right direction at the right time.
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