Prop 8 Thinky Thoughts

[twasadark]

 

Admittedly, I don’t take the time to study every nuance about the laws or proposed propositions, or even bother myself to get very informed about the intricacies of them. But I am a trained historian and I seem to have a knack for sensing the outcome of political races and explaining motivations behind the way Americans vote as they do. I’m a moderate and can see both sides of issues, which is helpful in explaining motives sometimes. So here is my explanation for why Prop 8 was passed in CA.

For the record, I voted NO on Prop 8 because I support gays and if they want more than a civil union I say to let them have it, but obviously it didn’t happen and here’s why I think that is:

Right or wrong, the majority of those who support Prop 8 think that it is wrong for a few elitist, self-righteous judges in San Francisco to dictate to everyone else who should get married and who shouldn’t. America is a democracy and we’re damn proud of it—NOT AN OLIGARCHY—and we vote on issues for a reason. That’s why I think it is completely counterproductive to try to strike Prop 8 down by filing lawsuits. It doesn’t convince all the voters that they were wrong. Instead, it validates their feelings re elitist, self-righteous San Franciscans. People don’t like other people’s values shoved down their throats, nor do they like the government to mandate that sexual preference be taught to their children (whether or not this is true, this is what people fear will happen). Like it or not, most people are heterosexual. And gays in California already have many legal protections.

I could go into greater detail but the preceding is what I believe went through the minds of average, vote-casting Californians.

I can’t answer comments right now because my wrist injury is acting up, but I wanted to put these thoughts out there as an explanation for why people voted the way they did. It’s not because they are ignorant assholes. It’s because this issue goes to the heart of the nature of power and the abuse of it.

As always, respectful debate is welcomed on my journal. Hysterical name-calling will be deleted.

Comments

[caveat-lect0r.livejournal.com]

I couldn't agree with you more. There needs to be a genuine organic change in the minds of Californian voters in order for this to work. The judicial system superimposing its will on the democratic system will just enrage more people, and further entrench any negative attitudes toward gay marriage they may already have.

[twasadark.livejournal.com]

Organic change, yes - I love that term! You are so right. I believe gay marriage will happen eventually, but the wheels of social change move slooooooooowly, unfortunately.

[lunaste.livejournal.com]

I agree with you on a few people deciding what other people should or shouldn't do, but I disagree that that's the reason that people voted yes on 8. From what I've seen they are mostly just against gay marriage (I am NOT calling names I am NOT calling names even though I'm hella pissed about it and I really really want to), they didn't think it through as much as you did.

[twasadark.livejournal.com]

I am NOT calling names even though I'm hella pissed about it and I really really want to),

I hear you, bb. The fact that so many people are suffering over this issue makes me very sad.

I think we'll see gay marriage eventually ... I just wish it was sooner, as well.

[lunaste.livejournal.com]

I mostly just think it's extremely unfair that I live in a country where gay people have been able to marry for well, nearly a decade, and that other people on my flist are stuck in America.
You guys should all come live in Holland, it's pretty awesome.
The only thing we're still fighting for is adoption, it's already possible but it takes a lot of time, but then again, most countries don't want their children adopted by gays, sooo...

It was only like what, a century ago? that interracial marriage was prohibited, amirite or amirong. I hope that in like fifty years people'll look back on the discrimination of gays like they do on discrimination of coloured people now (yeah, I know that there's still discrimination against coloured people, but there are no LAWS against them anymore).

[sarah-charade.livejournal.com]

It just makes me really sad. :( Not that I could do anything about it, not being an American, but it makes me rather disappointed in people's ability for tolerance. If what you said is true for those who voted yes on Prop 8, and it seems likely that you're right, that just means that those people were being incredibly petty! Isn't the issue supposed to be gay marriage? I'm not extremely well-versed on the subject, but that's what I had gathered from what I read. Does it matter that some judges made the call before?

[twasadark.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it makes me sad as well. It seems like any sort of change (including the LJ profile page, LOL) provokes strong negative reactions in a lot of people. I think there is a lot of suspicion about the judicial branch of government from a lot of people.

Well, we will persevere. *hugs*