Amendment Two

A fellow Democrat recently urged his constituents to vote "Yes" on amendment two. As usual the reasoning was certain Bible verses stating "man shall not lie with man as with woman" and pro-creation reasoning.

These verses have been used by religion to put fear in mankind through history. Early on we learned it is a sure way to ask for donations to fight evil. Facts are, polls show a major majority of Floridians both straight and gay do not want same sex marriage. There are over six separate laws already on the books that prohibit such a marriage license. Now the most important change to Floridians is the next part of this amendment. This amendment goes on to state that any other unions shall be void and not recognized. This will possibly hurt hundreds of thousands of the straights and gays from all age groups.

Florida currently has over 600,000 civil or domestic unions already on the books and is recognized in many of Florida's municipalities. These unions are both heterosexuals and homosexuals who join together for financial or personal reasons. Please think very carefully before you vote yes because you could be hurting yourself, a loved one or a friend.

There are hundreds of scenarios of which major companies recognize domestic partnerships and offer financial benefits to partners in documented civil unions. Both heterosexual and homosexual unions already benefit with health and life insurance, medical decisions, visitation rights, and other financial burdens. These may become void or not legal with the amendment. Your taxes go up to take care of more impoverished people who hit a hardship.

Vote yes and you will hurt many very innocent bystanders and one day you might be in a situation where it comes back to haunt you. While you are changing the laws and lives to suit your right to believe, let's legalize slavery again, stone to death the adulterers, say no divorces allowed, and shout out loud the sins of gluttony when shopping at Wal-Mart.

I will vote "no" and I urge you to leave the amendment blank if not sure.

Wes Leigh
Sebring