The #1 Social Issue In The Country? "Definition Of Marriage"

by: Rep. Jim Splaine

Wed Sep 08, 2010 at 17:52:57 PM EDT

I did like his father a lot, who I would talk with frequently about business matters when I was in the NH State Senate.  I forget exactly what specific issue it was that we first discussed, but I remember we disagreed rather heavily.  But after that we teamed up frequently on some things, and had three or four lunches -- he paid, in those days I didn't have to fill out any forms about who took me to lunch.   He was a pleasant fellow who was widely respected.

I've disagreed with Sean Mahoney on many of his views, which I find kind of poll-oriented in his effort to get elected to something.  I mean, he has all this money in his bank account, but he probably feels a little unfulfilled at this point of his life, so he wants to get a new title.  So, he's hired his pollsters, some staff, filed a few forms, put a lot of ads on TV and radio, and now he stands a chance to join the Washington Republican Club.  That would be even better than owning a golf course for young up-and-coming millionaires.  

I record these debates -- I like to review them and watch the subtleties here and there so I can see how the candidates tick, or not.  So I reviewed this part of the debate three times, just to be sure I heard what I thought I heard.

Sean Mahoney and the other candidates were asked an interesting question by Beth LaMontagne Hall.  It was an easy softball for all the candidates, an opened-ended inquiry that when you're standing there toward the end of an hour-long debate, you're just hoping for so you can perhaps end on an up-note.  

"In your opinion, what is the Number One social issue in the country right now?"    Frank Guinta's answer revolved around pro-life, with him saying he's proud to be of that persuasion.  Well, fair enough.  Most Republican candidates seem to have that mantra, and most Democrats are on the side of freedom of choice.  Then Bob Bestani said something about bickering in Washington.  I'm not sure how that's a social issue, but he sure wants to solve it so I'll pray for him.  Rick Ashooh said that our debt and "degradation of standards" was our biggest social issue.  That's nice.  Kind of a harmless answer.

No one talked about poverty, the fact we have so many people in jail for small offenses, unemployment, a low minimum wage, inaccessibility to health care, justice, fairness, equality, or the quality of our schools.  And for Sean Mahoney, all those things are lower on his priority list than ... guess what....

"The definition of marriage."  Yep, that's what he considers his #1 social issue.  Forget about people making a living, or not having enough to eat tonight.  Put aside our senior citizens not having enough money to pay for the prescriptions they need.  Don't worry, be happy.  Let 'em eat cake.  As long as we can define "marriage" as between one man and one woman.  

Sean Mahoney is better than that.  At least I hope so.  When Carol Shea-Porter is asked that question, I'm sure she'll talk about the rest of us who want our elected officials to work on important human priorities in Washington and will knock Sean Mahoney off Bill Binnie's golf course.