|
We have included in this issue of Pro-Family News a composite of votes by state legislators for the years 2003-05. This three-year record will allow you to see a long-range pattern of legislative votes on issues crucial to families. This is especially helpful when examining the records of State Senators who normally only face voters every four years. (In addition, some House members didn’t serve during the first two years, which we’ve noted.)
We’ve found that the vast majority of people don’t know how their legislators vote on such issues as the state marriage amendment, gambling, parental rights, Internet pornography protection for kids, raising taxes on families, and the promotion of homosexuality in the schools. In fact, many legislators count on this and expect their constituents to have short memories on some of these issues. But we want to see this state of affairs changed. It’s important for Minnesotans to be educated and informed so they can contact their legislators and express either their appreciation or their disappointment over how their legislators voted on important issues. We also want pro-family activists to raise the awareness in their communities on how legislators are voting. Until more of our legislators become accountable to their pro-family constituents it will continue to be business as usual at the State Capitol, with many legislators simply ignoring pro-family concerns. There’s no better example of this than in how many lawmakers have dealt with the Minnesota Marriage Amendment. For the past two years a majority of State Senators have blocked efforts even to allow a vote on the floor of the Senate on the amendment. They’ve blocked it in committee, and when motions have been made to bring it to floor they’ve blocked it again. Why all this stonewalling? Because they know there is enough bi-partisan support for the amendment to pass in the Senate on an up-and-down vote — and be placed before the people of Minnesota in 2006. Even though around two-thirds of Minnesotans oppose legalizing same-sex marriage, some legislators don’t want the people to decide this important issue. I’ve come to the conclusion that it will take an election and some accountability on the part of individual legislators before this stonewalling on pro-family issues is stopped. And that’s where you come in. Your involvement is crucial to educate people in your church and community on where your legislators stand on the issues. I don’t believe, for example, that many people would look favorably on efforts to allow the continued promotion of homosexuality in the public schools or to keep parents from being involved in their minor children’s treatment for drugs, alcohol, pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (yes, Minnesota law actually allows this) or blocking efforts to protect kids from pornography in our public libraries and schools. You can help get the word out by making copies of the Legislative Scorecard on page 6-7, highlighting your area legislators, and distributing them to friends and family members. You can also distribute copies of the Scorecard to folks in your neighborhood. Some folks even arrange to have the Scorecard inserted in their community newspaper. Or how about sponsoring a “letters to the editor writing session” on particular votes during an adult Sunday School class. (We can help you with talking points and tips on how to write an effective letter to the editor. Visit our www.mfc.org for our Legislative Issues Handbook.) If we are to restore moral sanity and common sense to our laws, society, and culture we need to get involved now — before it’s too late. Canada has just legalized same-sex marriage, as has the state of Massachusetts. Legal challenges are facing several other states. This issue alone will dramatically change our culture and be used as a springboard for attacking the church. (Tax status and discrimination laws will then become weapons to force churches to stop speaking out on social issues. That’s already happening in Canada.) The time is now to act and become involved. Tom Prichard is an attorney specializing in public policy. He holds a law degree from the University of Iowa and a master’s in public policy from the University of Michigan. |
|
Minnesota Family Council / Minnesota Family Institute 2855 Anthony Lane South, Minneapolis MN, 55418-3265 Phone 612.789.8811, FAX 612.789.8858, www.mfc.org |