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Dear Governor Lynch

by: Dean Barker

Wed May 06, 2009 at 21:33:59 PM EDT
Dear Governor Lynch,

As of this writing, committed straight and gay couples have the freedom to marry in the eyes of the law to our west in Vermont with a Republican Governor, to our east in Maine with a Democratic governor, north of us in Canada, and south of us in Massachusetts.

The New Hampshire House passed a bill granting marriage equality.  The New Hampshire Senate made the bill stronger.  The New Hampshire House passed it again.

I understand you are personally opposed to same-sex marriage.

However, I believe that our Granite State founders had an ideal solution for just such a situation:

If any bill shall not be returned by the governor within five days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law in like manner as if he had signed it unless the legislature, by their adjournment, prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law.
I think this is a marvelous executive power that you have been granted, as it cherishes the orderly will of the democratic process while at the same time recognizing the value of your own feelings, to which you are as entitled as the rest of us. I believe there is honor in this path of action.

Thank you for your service to the Live Free or Die state,

Dean Barker
Dean Barker :: Dear Governor Lynch
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Dear Governor Lynch | 13 comments
My impresssion is that the Governor's perspective on this issue (0.00 / 0)
is mostly:

This is all symbolic stuff that makes some people feel good. My job is supposed to be about managing a budget, and somehow supporting the schools, and providing state leadership when disasters strike.

I don't really have time to be strongly 'for' or 'against' these bills! Let's get back to work.

I hope that's a reasonable reading - I'm not trying to paint his views unfairly.

If it is fair, a veto would be completely inconsistent with that view. It would fan rather than dampen the flames.

The governor needs a view adjustment. (4.00 / 1)
He needs to recognize that he's governor of the machinery of state--i.e. the bureaucracy--not the governor of the people.  It's the citizens who govern.  The recipe for how the governor is to carry out his duties is in the Constitution.

The issue is really bigger than getting the commitments of same-sex couples recognized.  It's about the direction in which power flows.  Does it flow from the people to the state or are public officials in charge of what the people do?

When the press reports that

Democratic Gov. John Baldacci today signed into law a bill allowing gay marriage

it creates the impression that what should be an inalienable right is being permitted (allowed)--an impression that leaders/deciders/dictators obviously prefer, but which is inconsistent with what our system provides.
I happen to think that's the central difference between progressives and conservatives.  Conservatives prefer the tradition of the ruling elite.
[ Parent ]
What the heck is wrong with my mouse? (0.00 / 0)
Sorry for the double postings. Even when I'm very careful they seem to occur.
it's cheesy n/t (4.00 / 3)


"Poetry is not an expression of the party line. It's that time of night, lying in bed, thinking what you really think, making the private world public, that's what the poet does." Allen Ginsberg
[ Parent ]
For My Part, Governor (0.00 / 0)
We all know I've sometimes been critical.
I hereby promise, if you just let the two senate and house passed bills become law, I promise to only say kind words from now on. Does that do it?

No'm Sayn?
[ Parent ]
lol Burt (0.00 / 0)
Be careful what you promise...  But yes, that might do it!  Let's write, call, E-Mail, FAX, visit the Governor's Office!
[ Parent ]
Teddy Kennedy used to promise differently (4.00 / 3)
"I'll endorse you, or endorse your opponent - whichever you think will help more!"
[ Parent ]
I deleted it. (4.00 / 1)
It's happening to me to more often.

Let me try to reach the great soapblox gods about this.

[ Parent ]
Had to reload the page to get it to stop loading. (0.00 / 0)
Seems to have been stuck on Amazon.
[ Parent ]
adjournment is not a concern (4.00 / 2)
The House of Representatives is not having another session day (although there will be plenty of hearings) until May 20th. By then more than 5 business days will have gone by. I now wonder if one reason for the gap in the schedule was to prevent the anti-gay-marriage fanatics from presenting an adjournment motion....
It Will Take A While... (0.00 / 0)
...before logistically the bill gets to him.  Then he'll have five days.  But he could announce his intentions anytime, so we have work to do now.  
[ Parent ]
I stopped by the anteroom... (0.00 / 0)
I stopped by the anteroom to the Corner Office and told the extremely patient receptionist that I was a citizen (and state rep) who was in favor of HB436.  She made a tally mark on the second of two post-it notes on her desk.  Her phone always rings a lot but today she was getting about 1 call every 15 seconds.
[ Parent ]
Listen To Granny D (4.00 / 4)
During yesterday's debate, one Rep pointed out to me what Granny D said when she was asked her opinion on the subject.  Her response says it best and most succinctly, "I believe in love."  For centuries, it was the love that dare not speak its name, but it was just as certainly a love that was better for the two people involved and for society.  What does love do for a gay or straight person?  It makes your life more complete; it gives your life purpose; it makes you think of someone other than yourself; it gives you the kind of joy that you lacked until you fell in love.  Yes, Granny D got it right.  "I believe in love."  Certainly Governor Lynch can see that.  Governor, you too must believe in love.
Steve V (Kathy the S's least favorite gay marriage supporter)
[ Parent ]
Dear Governor Lynch | 13 comments
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