It’s Not Over

I was delighted to learn of the Supreme Court’s decision this morning declaring that citizens have the right to marry the person of their choice, whether that person is male or female. An early Facebook post I saw declared “It’s over.”

Although I would like to think that the fight for equality and freedom for all is indeed over in this country, I don’t believe that’s the case.

Shortly after I learned of the Supreme Court decision, I received a fund-raising e-mail message from Santorum for President. The letter says, in part,

The Supreme Court just launched an unprecedented attack on the religious liberty and the traditional family.

These unelected judges created - out of thin air - a "right" to same-sex "marriage," and ruled that all states must recognize these unions, regardless of their own laws.

This is a watershed moment in American history. It's the most egregious rejection of traditional values and the Bill of Rights since Roe v. Wade.

We can't let it stand!

Lionel, I'm running for President because I believe our traditional values are worth protecting. I believe that our religious freedom cannot and should not be violated by an overbearing government bending to the whims of a vocal minority.
…

This court ruling is the Roe v. Wade of the 21st Century. It's an attack on religious freedom, an affront to the religious liberty of millions of Americans, and a threat to the stability of our families.

We can't allow it to stand. And as President, I will do all within my power to overturn it.

If you'll join me in defending our families, our religious liberty, and our traditional values, I need your help right now, Lionel.

You can read the whole letter here.

It will be interesting to see if other Republican presidential candidates have a similar response to today’s ruling. I suspect that many of them will have more sense and will view the ruling as a gift to their campaigns—they can hide behind the court ruling rather than espousing a view held by fewer and fewer Americans.

Alas, Santorum is not the only far-right ideologue likely to continue fighting equal marriage.

Celebrate victory today, but be ready to defend freedom and democracy tomorrow.