Hey, PA. Gov: Before You Attack Atty Gen's Stand for Marriage Equality, Read the PA. Constitution

[JPZenger]

So Gov. Corbett is claiming that Atty Gen Kane is just following her "personal beliefs" in refusing to defend the PA. law that discriminates against gay marriages.

Actually, Guv, the Attorney General's main responsibility is to uphold the PA. Constitution.

PA's Constitution includes a Declaration of Rights that was enacted 15 years BEFORE the US Bill of Rights. After all, the entire purpose for the founding of Pennsylvania was for everyone to have religious freedom. (That also includes freedom from the religious beliefs of fundamentalists.) At the time, that idea and this Declaration of Rights were each considered radical.

Here's some quotes:

"All men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and indefeasible rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness.

All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority and instituted for their peace, safety and happiness.

All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; ... no human authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience, and no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious establishments or modes of worship.

Neither the Commonwealth nor any political subdivision thereof shall deny to any person the enjoyment of any civil right, nor discriminate against any person in the exercise of any civil right.

Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania because of the sex of the individual."

(that last one came in the 1970s, and still has not been enacted into the US Constitution)


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by the way, PA. is the ONLY state in the northeastern US that does not allow same sex marriage or civil unions. Map at the link below:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/same-sex-marriage/

[JPZenger]

1. Meanwhile, while we are fighting your strict Voter Photo ID law, lets remember this other provision

Corbett and his buddies passed a strict PA. law that requires a limited range of types of photo identification cards with current dates have be presented each time a person votes. After past court delays, that law is scheduled to go into effect for the next election. It is currently before the courts for a final ruling.

The PA. Constitution states the following:

"Elections shall be free and equal; and no power, civil or military, shall at any time interfere to prevent the free exercise of the right of suffrage."