PA: Wrong Move Regarding Same Sex Marriage

The Post-Gazette this evening posted an article detailing state Sen. John Eichelberger’s plan to enshrine in the state constitution a concept that already is law — the recognition that in Pennsylvania a marriage can only be between a man and a woman. Eichelberger’s intent is to put the issue beyond the reach of an activist judge who may take it upon himself or herself to redefine an age-old religious construct into a civil “right.” That which is in the constitution can’t be ruled unconstitutional.

I applaud the effort but will state again that equal protection under the US constitution dictates that same-sex couples should be afforded the same legal rights as are mixed couples. They simply can’t be “married.” I offer a suggestion: get the government out of the business of sanctioning marriage. Marriage is a religious institution and need not be a societal one. Take marriage out of the realm of government oversight and you take it out of the reach of the courts. A government can only act on subjects we give it the express power to involve itself in. Put marriage off-limits.

It would be that simple.