Restore Traditional Marriage - Vote YES on Proposition 8

In less than a month, we will be trekking to the polls to decide if we prefer Republicans John McCain and Sarah Palin to manage the country, or have Democrats Barach Obama and Joe Biden do it for us.

This choice has serious implications on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the economic recession, healthcare, taxation, and immigration. It will also move the United States as a society toward conservative or liberal policies in social and moral issues.

In California, we will be offered several initiatives to vote on. The more critical propositions will be Prop 4 and Prop 8.

Proposition 8 states: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

This measure contains the same terminology in Proposition 22 which was approved in 2000 by 61% of California voters. It was overturned by four liberal San Francisco-based judges in a 4-3 decision.

Here we go again, waging a familiar battle for traditional family values. We may just throw our hands up in the air and not bother. But, it is critical that we vote for this measure and gather community support to restore the definition of marriage.

Voting "YES" on Proposition 8 will accomplish three things:

1) It will restore the traditional and common-sense definition of marriage.

2) It will overturn the decision of four activist judges who ignored the majority decision of voters in 2000.

3) It will protect our children from being taught in California public schools that same-sex or gay marriage is not different from the traditional marriage between a man and a woman.

With an amendment of the state constitution in place, the State Supreme Court cannot declare Prop 8 unconstitutional as it did with Prop 22 which had been added as a regular statute to the California Family Code.

We cannot afford not to pass this measure on November 4, 2008. If Proposition 8 is defeated, marriage in the State of California will be regarded as nothing more than a no-frills contractual relationship between adults. The sanctity and sacredness of marriage, which has been at the heart of society since time immemorial, will be relegated to the dustbin of history.

The Catholic Church and other faith traditions view marriage as instituted by God, as the faithful, loving, permanent and exclusive covenant between a man and a woman. In traditional marriage, husband and wife vow to love each other, "for richer or poorer, in sickness or in health, 'till death do us part." Husband and wife take on the task of bringing children into the world, raising, educating and caring for them. Traditional marriage, not same-sex marriage, is the ideal setting for children to be raised.

Proposition 8 is about preserving marriage as an ideal. It does not insult, attack, or discriminate against homosexuals. Voting yes to Prop 8 will not eliminate any rights or benefits enjoyed by gay and lesbian domestic partners because California Law (Family Code 297.5) ensures that "domestic partners shall have the same rights, protections and benefits as married spouses."

If Proposition 8 is not passed, the consequences will be far reaching. For one, state law requires teachers to instruct children as early as kindergarten about marriage (Education Code 51890). Teachers will be required to teach our children that there is no difference between traditional marriage and "gay marriage." Churches which teach and advocate traditional marriage and family values may be sued for discrimination.

Register to vote. Endorse Prop 8 and tell your family and friends about this important measure. During the recent Vice Presidential debate, both Governor Sarah Palin and Senator Joe Biden fully supported traditional marriage while endorsing tolerance toward homosexuals and respect for the civil rights of gays and lesbians, as the majority of Californians do.

Proposition 8 is supported by national and state pro-family organizations. For more information, please visit www.ProtectMarriage.com or call (916) 446-2956.