"Do you support same-sex marriage?"

August 7, 2008

Dear Mr. Alesch:

As a supporter of traditional marriage, I am concerned that one of America's foundational institutions is coming under increasing attack.

In California, elected officials are attempting to use deception to scare voters into voting against a marriage-protection amendment. In Massachusetts, a law has been passed to allow residents of other states to travel there for a same-sex wedding, even if would not be recognized in the residents' home state.

As a member of the Center for Moral Clarity, a national Christian grassroots organization, I am concerned that elected officials are showing such disregard for the sanctity of traditional marriage. I believe the best way to address this confusion once and for all is with a federal Marriage Protection Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Since you are running to represent me in Congress, I would like to know: where do you stand on this issue? If elected, would you support the Marriage Protection Amendment? Why or why not? I would appreciate a response so I can determine how I will vote this fall. Thank you in advance for your response.

Sincerely,

Wade
Naperville

RESPONSE:

Wade,

Thank you for writing. I whole-heartedly support the rights of both same-sex and opposite-sex couples, and I do not think the supposition that marriage is "under attack" holds any merit whatsoever.

Now that equal marriage has been instituted in California and Massachusetts, if the institution of marriage has indeed been harmed in any way, then the evidence surely is out there. So I challenge you to provide any evidence at all of a same-sex marriage harming another heterosexual marriage. Once there is evidence, we can have something to debate, but until then, I will follow my belief that it is better to err on the side of Liberty.

Therefore, I do not think it is any business of Congress to play match-maker; rather Congress is obligated by the Constitution to provide equal protections under the law.

Our disagreements on this one issue does not preclude agreement on others, and I would be happy to discuss this or other aspects of my platform with you.

Steve Alesch
Green Party Candidate for Congress, 13th District