NY: To Hell with Democracy
Never mind that this guy wasn't elected, but is only governor because his predecessor had to resign in shame, nevermind that neither Paterson nor Spitzer ran on a promise to legalize gay marriage, and most of all, never mind asking the citizens of New York what they want:
David Paterson has unilaterally declared New York a gay-marriage-friendly state:
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gay rights advocates had reason to celebrate on both coasts Thursday, with New York set to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere and California preparing to begin issuing marriage licenses to gay couples on June 17.
Hours after California issued a directive Wednesday authorizing that date, word came that New York Gov. David Paterson instructed state agencies — including those governing insurance and health care — to immediately change policies and regulations to recognize gay marriages.
Even if you're a supporter of gay marriage...is this really the way you want it implemented? By fiat? In a way that's almost guaranteed to generate far more opposition than if it was done through democratic means? I don't support gay marriage, but if the voters of New York or California, or wherever chose to implement that, that's their right in a federalist system. But in California (and other states before it) it's judges making the decisions, and now in NY it's the governor. What about the people? Don't they get a say in whether or not we completely redefine one of the bedrock institutions of society? Guess not.