Letters: Ban marriage for gays
June 6, 2012 7:14PM
Updated: August 23, 2012 9:52AM
In the wake of North Carolina voters’ overwhelming approval of a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as one man, one woman, President Barack Obama announced he supports same-sex marriage. He said that he “has always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally.”
Who isn’t for fair and equal treatment for every American, including homosexuals? But fairness and equality does not include legally elevating same-sex relationships to the same level of the God-ordained institution of marriage.
The notion that homosexual partners are being denied the freedom to live as they wish is absurd. Homosexuals can have a relationship with any consenting adult they wish. No one is stopping them.
But taking these relationships into the public square, demanding that we change public policy, create special laws and change the very definition of marriage is intolerable.
Americans cannot allow foundational institutions such as marriage be undermined by a small minority wanting to impose a radical political agenda on the rest of us. Eliminating an entire gender and still calling it “marriage” is not a mere redefinition of an institution but rather the destruction of a core principle of society.
David E. Smith
Executive director
Illinois Family Institute
Carol Stream
Don’t allow ‘quick take’
I’m writing in regard to SB 3318 Private/Public Illiana IDOT Powers. This legislation regarding the proposed Illiana Expressway passed in the Illinois Senate 44-8 on March 28, with the Senate sponsor being the infamous “tax and spend quick-take” senator Toi Hutchinson, of the 40th District.
The chief sponsor in the House is Rep. Anthony DeLuca of the 80th District. He currently has the bill on hold to address issues that the Will County Farm Bureau and others have put forth.
Thank you, Rep. DeLuca, for at least talking to us first before allowing a vote on this legislation. What’s critical to all private property owners in Illinois is the state’s intention to allow IDOT the “quick-take” powers of eminent domain to take away private property rights from landowners.
My friend Mary Ann Deutsche says it best, so I’m quoting her here on what to say when you call your state representative about SB 3318 and its quick-take power — ask them to oppose SB 3318 and stress to them that “... quick take is evoked as a tool because IDOT believes eminent domain takes too long in the courts. I ask how they justify government aggression toward property owners when it is the court system that is at fault.”
Stand up for private property rights contact your state representative and ask him/her to vote no on SB 3318 because of its language allowing “quick take.” Call the state operator (toll free) at 877-422-8424 and ask to be transferred to your state representative. If he/she is unavailable, leave a message and your name, address, and phone number. Remember your voice is needed to help protect private property rights!
Judy Ogalla
Republican for Will County Board 1
