The Radical's Blog: Why North Carolina Got It Right

One of the big 24-hour news cycle stories over the past two weeks has been the vote in North Carolina to formally ban gay marriage. In this case—even though I personally disagreed with the result—they got it right. The concept of controlling one's destiny is core to American experience. Our country was set up for people to determine their own environment. It is why we have 50 different states each with different laws and customs. They had a divisive social issue and let the people have a say.

This blog is not about whether or not the issue should have passed; this blog is about the process that led to the vote. Before the progressives out there start to attack, let me be clear: I support same-sex marriage. As I wrote about months ago, this is not an issue of religious morals, but constitutional freedoms. I intentionally sat down and tried to make an argument why it should be banned and I could not other than religious reasons. This country is founded on the principle of individual liberty and allowing people to make their own choices and even their own mistakes. If Governor Christie or any other Republican legislator voted for a bill legalizing it, I would support them. The only limit I would place would be to hold clergy and others harmless if they did not want to perform the ceremony, as long as they were consistent in not doing it. I would not like someone telling me who I can love. I have no right to tell someone they cannot love because the person happens to be of the same gender. This argument reminds me of the taboo that used to be mixed marriages, both racial and religious. I myself am in a mixed relationship: I am a Radical, while my girlfriend is smart and attractive and well-spoken, and to be blunt people like her.

After the same-sex referendum, my Facebook page became filled with quotes such as "North Carolina: Where you can marry your cousin, just not your gay one." While attempting to be funny it actually offended me. The people of North Carolina spoke. It is not what I would have chosen but it was not my choice to make—it was theirs. As a resident of New Jersey I have no place to tell them how they should live. Their local governments are based on the county model with county schools and police. How would we feel if they tried to impose that here because they think their view is better? We wouldn't. The people of Camden are actively fighting the county police plan. If we feel that same-sex marriage is that important, then we should pass it here instead of our Legislature wasting their time on bills designed to create a wedge between Governor Christie and the voters. We are out of line making fun of North Carolina, especially given how people throughout the country react to NJ's institutional corruption in our government.

In North Carolina, the process worked the way it was intended. A critical and divisive issue was put up for a vote by the people and the people had their say. Whether you agree with the decision or not, this is how democracy works. For those who are disgusted with the result, there are 49 other states to move to or vacation in. I am confident if put up for a vote here, it would be legalized, which would upset some in other states. This difference of opinion on this issue and a thousand others is why New Jersey is different than North Carolina and each state in the union. The next time someone complains about the decision another sovereign state makes, remind them of how the rest of the country sees New Jersey. Then ask them why they have not called their Assembly or Senate representative and demand it be passed now. If you are not going to take action in your own state, you have no business judging someone else.