Our State Constitution is Safe

In Minnesota, two big election victories stand out above many big wins and they put a smile on my face this morning.
by Charlie Leck

Put on your happy face!

The Constitution of the State of Minnesota shall not be amended!
Period! I am extremely pleased this morning that two constitutional amendment referendum items were refused by the voters of the state. Neither would have had any business at all within the language of the constitution and the voters were smart to reject them. Hooray for the voters!

The Marriage Amendment
Minnesota became the very first state in the union to reject a constitutional amendment to define marriage as only between one man and one woman. It makes me very proud of my state. Marriage between anyone but a man and a woman is still illegal in the state, but it is not prohibited by the constitution – only by a state statute that can be removed and may well be after the manner in which the citizens of the state spoke last night.

The primary organization leading the fight against the amendment to the constitution was Minnesotans United for All Families. Its director, Richard Carlbom, spoke at a gathering last night when the results of the election became obvious:

“This is truly a historic night. Minnesota is now the first state in our country that has faced this question and said, ‘No!’”

In Maine and Maryland last night, voters approved the right of same-sex partners to marry. That fact gives Minnesotans great hope that they can get their own law withdrawn and changed.

The Voter I.D. Amendment
The other constitutional amendment resolution on the ballot yesterday had to do with a requirement that photo identification would be necessary in order to vote. To my pleasure, it was also defeated.* The amendment was widely seen as unnecessary in a state with consistently high turnouts for elections and a minuscule number of reports of voter fraud.

Again, such an amendment would have required inserting language within the constitution that has no business being there. It’s proper place is within the state statutes where legislators themselves would have to take responsibility for putting it there.

Within the last month, one Republican Party insider has admitted that the amendments were placed on the state ballot in order to drive a higher than usual conservative turnout at polling places all over the state. The strategy clearly did not work.

There’s a lot to be pleased about this morning, but nothing pleases me more than the results in these two constitutional amendment votes.

Democrats will control the State Legislature
The Democratic Party won control of both houses of the state legislature last night. This will give our governor a freer hand to move the state along toward solving many of its problems. For instance, look for higher taxes on those who make more than 350 thousand dollars a year. Congratulations to both WIN Minnesota and the Alliance for a Better Minnesota for driving the campaign to regain the legislature. Look, too, for the legislature to repeal the law prohibiting same-sex marriage!

Big Turnout in Minnesota
As an aside, I’m proud to also mention that Minnesota will probably lead the nation again this time for the number (or percentage) of its registered voters who actually turned-out to vote. Good going, Minnesota.

*with 95 percent of the vote counted

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Personal Impacts of Minnesota Marriage Amendment

Minnesota’s proposed constitutional amendment to redefine marriage hits home very personally with so many people. To me, the stories are almost always heart-rending. A recent one involves Michele Bachmann and Helen LaFave. If you can read it and don't feel deeply touched, you don’t understand…
by Charlie Leck

I was disquieted this morning by a remarkable column in the New York Times about Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and her stepsister, Helen LaFave. The two girls were very close when they were young. Ms. LaFave has lived with a woman for over 25 years and they have always dreamed of marrying some day here in Minnesota.

Oh, I shouldn’t tell the story poorly, when Frank Bruni has told it so well [You can find it here!] I urge you to read it.

I have no wise-cracks about Congresswoman Bachmann this morning. – only sadness!

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Jesse Ventura Speaks UP

Jesse Ventura and his wife, Terry, have announced their opposition to the Marriage Amendment that will appear on our ballots here in Minnesota this November.

by Charlie Leck

If it passes, the Marriage Amendment would redefine marriage in the Minnesota State Constitution as a union between only a man and a woman. If you’re a regular reader, you know I stand four-square against it. I’ll vote no!

Today, I received an email that announced former governor Jesse Ventura’s intention to vote against it also…

“Terry and I are proud to speak out today against this harmful and divisive constitutional amendment. Watch our new video here: 

“This amendment just isn't the way we do things in Minnesota. We don't use our constitution to limit the rights and freedoms of our fellow citizens. We don't tell some families that they aren't good enough. We don't let government dictate love. 

“I know you and I may not agree on everything. But I'm certain that we can agree that every Minnesotan has dignity, and that none of us should be constitutionally deemed unworthy of marrying the person we love. 

“Defeating this amendment isn't a liberal or conservative issue - because the truth is that it impacts each and every one of us.

“We have a chance to decide what kind of state we want to be - and I plan to make sure that we're the kind of state that protects the freedom and dignity of every Minnesotan. 

“No matter what they say, love is by far bigger than government can ever be.”

Jesse signed off with the word “United.” It’s a reference, I expect, to Minnesotans United for All Families, the non-profit that is leading the political effort against the amendment. I urge you to go there and pledge to vote NO.

Our current governor, Mark Dayton, and former governor Arnie Carlson have also indicated their opposition to this amendment. The list of distinguished Minnesotans who oppose this constitutional amendment crosses all political party lines and has, in many ways, united so many of us.

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Minnesota’s Supreme Justices Knock Me Out

I was surprised by their decision because I thought they’d do the right thing and not the political thing!
by Charlie Leck

By a 3 to 2 vote!
It was by a split decision that the Minnesota Supreme Court voted to allow a very poor description of an amendment to the constitution to stand on the November ballot just as the legislature wrote it and not as the Secretary of State had amended it. The three justices who voted to go with the legislature’s wording were all appointees of the former conservative Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty. They also ruled that the legislature’s original title for the Marriage Amendment question for the Minnesota Constitution should stand. [If you wish, you can read the StarTribune story about the decision here.]

Progressives wanted that language clarified on both constitutional amendment proposals so that voters would know exactly what they are voting on when they have the ballots before them in the voting booth. The language on both issues is very misleading.

Chuck Samuelson of the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota bluntly stated the following: “Today we are Florida! This was a political decision by a political court!”

In his dissent, Justice Alan Page (elected and not appointed to the Court), had some scathing things to say:

"It is ironic, if not Orwellian, that in the name of 'protecting' the voter and preventing unspecified voting 'fraud,' the Legislature has resorted to a ballot question that deliberately deceives and misleads the very voters it claims must be protected."

Orwellian? Indeed!

Make no mistake, this was a victory for the conservative and Tea Party cause in Minnesota!

The League of Women Voters in Minnesota, which brought the law suit, was disappointed but looked for the positives: “At least we got the conversation started.”

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Bill George Comes Out

Bill George is a Minnesota institution (and so is his wife, Penny). In a well written article in today’s StarTribune, Mr. George comes out against the proposed marriage amendment.
by Charlie Leck

I’ve committed myself to work pretty hard against the proposed amendment to the Minnesota Constitution that is on the ballot this November regarding marriage rights. So, it’s heartening when people I admire show their courage and sensibility and also come out in opposition to the proposal. So, reading this morning’s StarTribune and finding Bill George’s statement in the business section started my day in just the right way. [You can read it here!]

Mr. George is a professor in the Harvard Business School, but he was, for many years, the CEO of Minnesota based Medtronic Inc.. He maintains an extremely good web site [click here to go to the web site].

My interest in this issue is twofold. First, I believe in freedom of association for all Minnesotans. Second, as a former CEO of Medtronic, I know firsthand how important and challenging it is to recruit and retain talented people. Doing so requires a culture that accepts people as they are -- not in spite of differences, but because of them.

Defeating this amendment is essential not only to provide civil rights, but also to ensure that Minnesota is open and welcoming to everyone -- regardless of religion, gender, race, national origin or sexual orientation. Would Medtronic's new CEO, who is a Muslim born in Bangladesh, have left General Electric had he not believed that Minnesota was open to people with diverse life experiences?

Minnesota is an important business hub. We have the largest number of Fortune 500 companies (per capita) in the nation – companies like Target, 3M, United Health Group, General Mills, Hormel, St. Jude Medical and U.S. Bancorp.

Mr. George argues that these companies need to have an open and inviting environment in the state so that they will continue to be able to recruit the top candidates in the business world to participate in the growth of business in Minnesota. He urges leaders of these other companies to speak out forcefully against the Marriage Amendment that will be on our ballots this November. It is significant that only a couple of these major and highly recognized business leaders have so far spoken out (Wheelock Whitney and Marilyn Carlson Nelson). It’s also sad.

I shake my head in wonder and disappointment when I regard the silence of corporate leaders here in Minnesota. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that Gregg Steinhafel, the CEO of Target remains silent. He showed his extremely conservative stripes when he allowed his corporation to make donations to the coffers of extremely conservative political candidates – money, which I reminded him at the time, actually comes from his customers, who may differ a great deal from Steinhafel’s archaic viewpoints.

So, where is Best Buy on this issue? Where are Land O’Lakes and Thrivent Financial and Xcel Energy? Do you leaders of these companies want Minnesota to be a closed state, uninviting to some of the most creative and exciting business leadership candidates in the world?

Thanks, Mr. George! Thanks for your remarkably good and sensible statement about the dangers of supporting this constitutional amendment.

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Washington State Allows Gay Marriages

“Isn’t it time?” The Governor of Washington shouted the question to the gathered hopeful. “Welcome to the other side of the rainbow!”
by Charlie Leck

Governor of Washington, Christine Gregoire, signed legislation that provides same sex couples equal rights under the state’s marriage law. It is significant that Governor Gregoire is a catholic and she is under intense fire for her action even as she was when the bill arrived at her desk from the state’s legislative Assembly.

In a ceremony at the state’s capitol building in Olympia, the governor addressed a happy gathering and, with a huge smile, said: “Isn’t it time?” The crowd erupted with applause and cheers.

“My friends,” the Governor added, “welcome to the other side of the rainbow!”

The State of Washington joined five (5) other states that have such laws – Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. The District of Columbia also allows same-sex marriages.

However, here in Minnesota, some seek to pass a highly discriminatory constitutional amendment that would define marriage as only between a man and a woman. Of course, I and thousands of other activists are working diligently against the amendment. You can join us by signing up at Minnesotans United for All Families. Give funds to support the campaign against the amendment. Get involved in a number of ways: You can host a house party to talk with your neighbors about the amendment; you can volunteer to work phones or distribute signs; you can join one or more professional or nationality groups that have been organized (e.g., business, women, lawyers, Asian); or come up with you own ideas about what to do to defeat this amendment to our state constitution.

If an amendment were to pass in our state, it would be forever and a day before we would ever be able to take the kind of step that Washington has so proudly taken.

Opposition to the amendment is very bi-partisan and crosses easily over party lines. In last week’s caucus gatherings, resolutions opposing the amendment were passed in many Republican and Democratic gatherings.

Friends from other states are also invited to support Minnesotans United for All Families. Your contributions to our work would be greatly appreciated.

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What Does the Lord Require of You?

I am struggling with my conscience lately. I argue with it that I have done enough over the years and now I am tired and retired from the battles for justice; but my conscience stares me down, mocks me and decries my excuses!
by Charlie Leck

I’m moving through troubling days. This community I live in is very conservative. For instance, President Obama got very few votes here in the 2008 election. It went by about 75 percent for his opponent.

Now, this state I live in is going to face an incredibly significant decision in the election this November. In that election, my little town will again, I am sure, reject President Obama. However, it will also need to vote on the marriage amendment to our Minnesota State Constitution – an amendment that will define marriage as between only a man and a woman.

I stand on the other side of this issue and oppose the amendment with all my heart. As my wife said to me today, as we were pouring our morning coffee: “This amendment will actually legislate and give protection to discrimination! This has never happened before, has it?”

Well, actually yes, it has. The U.S. Constitution did not allow women to vote until it was amended. That amendment was an injustice corrected.

But, now, in our age, to think that we might very well create a clear and terrible, constitutionally endorsed policy of discrimination against those who cannot possibly define their lives and their sexually as many others of us do.

I am really and deeply troubled and saddened by this possibility. It shouldn’t be! It shouldn’t happen! Here in the quiet of my study I interrogate myself.

“Do you have any energy left in this old system of yours, sir? Are you both willing and able to wage a battle against such injustice and unfairness? There are people you care about, old fella, who will be hurt deeply by this proposed constitutional amendment! What can you do?”

 “Contributing money, you know, is too easy! Are you courageous enough to talk to neighbors and people in the community about your feelings? Can you handle the cruel things they might say about you? It is time you know, to decide – to act!”

And, God seems to interrogate me also!

“And what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I command you this day for your good?” [Deuteronomy 10:12]

 “He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” [Micah 6:8]

The God of Creation could not have put these children upon the earth, as he did, to be unhappy and unfulfilled and unable to take partners in commitments of love. Don’t all knowing, and caring, and thinking people realize this?

So, trembling and in the presence of my Creator, I filled out the volunteer form for Minnesotans United for All Families and sent it in. What can I do but “do justice and love kindness and walk humbly with my God?

You, too, wherever you live, if this proposed amendment to Minnesota’s constitution troubles you, can contribute to the cause at Minnesotans United for All Families! You can give funds or you can volunteer. Think! “What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice and to love kindness?…”

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Hooray for Duluth!

The City Council of the City of Duluth (Minnesota) passed a resolution opposing the constitutional amendment limiting marriage to that between a man and a woman.

by Charlie Leck

In November, Minnesotans will vote on an amendment to its state constitution that will define marriage as that between a man and a woman.

Let’s make it clear: Whether I’m heterosexual, homosexual, lesbian or schmeterosexual, I think the proposed amendment to our constitution is absolutely stupid. I have so many homosexual and lesbian friends who deserve the right to marriage as much as I do – or as you do!

If fact, however, as silly as I think the proposed amendment is, it will probably pass in the vote that will take place in November 2012 – unless a lot of us are willing to work awfully hard to defeat it.

Congratulations to the City Council of Duluth for being so brave. It was not a unanimous vote (6-2) but it was an encouraging and a courageous one nevertheless.

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