The Absurdity of Massachusetts Government

This story on the Gay Marriage debate on Reuters points out to me how absurd Bay State government is in regards to their State Constitution:

BOSTON (Reuters) – Massachusetts lawmakers approved a measure on Tuesday that could give voters a chance next year to ban gay marriage in the only U.S. state where it is now legal.

But the 200-member Legislature, which has been waging a grueling legislative battle over the issue, immediately moved to reconsider its vote — a tactic that gay-marriage supporters hope could be used to defeat the proposal later Tuesday.

Still, opponents of gay marriage were celebrating. “We see this as a victory,” said Kristian Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, a conservative Christian organization.

With hundreds of protesters on both sides of the emotionally charged issue rallying and chanting slogans outside the gold-domed Statehouse, 61 lawmakers voted to advance the proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

If Tuesday’s vote is not reversed and the ban passes another legislative test, Massachusetts residents will vote on it in 2008…

Although 132 lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled state Legislature voted against it, the measure needed only 50 votes to pass.

The situation in Massachusetts, to be blunt, is absurd. If any thing’s been revealed in the fourth year of the Gay Marriage issue, it’s how absurd and lopsided judcicial activism is. The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts issued a ruling that required the legislature to pass a law within 6 months allowing same sex marriage. When action wasn’t taken to their liking, they went ahead and legislated themselves.

Now, for more than 3 years, citizen activists of Massachusetts have gathered signatures, lobbied legislators, and seen their momentum slip in the polls while a process that no one can really keep track of trudges along.

While Massachusetts may be the symbol of absurdity, it’s an inherent inequity in a system where judges rule that overruling the judges strong arm tactics requires the greatest effort. If judges are to act as legislators, then their legislative power must be checked.

I tip my hat to those battling in Massachusetts through all this stupidity. Take courage, the battle belongs to the vigilent, the active, the brave (to quote Patrick Henry.)

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