marriage & democracy

I went to one of the many rallies held around the country today in protest of Californian's Proposition 8 which takes away the right to gay marriage. Considering the weather the turn out was great, my quick estimate put the crowd at about 150. The anti marriage amendment creates a lot of paradoxes.

First Obama's turn out probably contributed to the amendments success. Even at the rally speakers talked about how bitter sweet election night was.

Then there are the anti democratic sentiment that this vote stirs up, I have herd people complain about voting about issues of right, even the very concept of initiative voting is questioned.

This brings up political theory so I will digress. Ballot initiative are probably the most directly democratic procedure in the American political system. I prefer direct democracy to the representative form. There are things that can make direct democracy better, like political education. Even ahead of direct democracy is a system that includes principals of autonomy and consensus. Essentially decisions should be made by those who are effected by them, and then the participants should seek solutions that all parties can live with.

The main response to Prop 8 is to seek justice in the courts, and political struggles for liberation need to use the political tools available, but liberties won by democracy are preferred, it is better to win hearts and minds that to force a position. I understand the principle of equal protection but still...

Now then there is the very institution of marriage not one of my favorite institutions, it's origins, it must be noted, involved the selling of women. nonetheless I was at the rally chairing for marriage. When the chant went "fee fie foe fun, Marriage is for every one", I couldn't chant along. some don't have any use for marriage.

I would personally prefer civil unions for all legal matters, a contract easily entered in to and easily ended. Leave Marriage as a strictly religious commitment.