Gov Romney, Cardinal O’Malley Urge Vote on Gay Marriage
Governor Mitt Romney joined with Cardinal O’Malley and a group of church officials to urge the state legislature to honor the July 12, 2006 vote that will bring the definition of marriage one step closer to a vote of the people. Romney stated today:
“Our elected representatives in the Legislation will soon hold a historic vote. It regards the institution of marriage. But it will not be a vote for or against same sex marriage. No, it will be a vote for or against democracy.
“The people here today have followed the law, followed the process established in the Constitution, and gathered an astounding 170,000 signatures. Their effort means that the people, the citizens, will be free to choose how marriage is defined in Massachusetts. This is democracy, pure and simple.
“Of course, democracy can be squashed. Only one fourth of the legislators must vote for democracy, for this question, this choice, to be given to the people. But it is conceivable that some will try to block a vote by the people by blocking a vote of the legislature.
“We are here speaking for democracy and the rule of the law. Whether you agree that marriage should be reserved for a man and a woman or not, surely you can agree that the course of democracy, established by the Constitution, must be followed. Is there anything more fundamental to this Commonwealth and this country than the principle that power is reserved to the people, that government is the servant, not the master?
“We ask for one thing: the constitutionally prescribed vote of the Legislature. Let the people speak.”
If the legislature’s leadership decides to undermine the vote, Gov Romney has the legal authority to send the State Police to each legislator’s home and bring them back to Beacon Hill to hold a legal vote. Romney has indicated he will do just that, if necessary. I think it would be great fun to see DiMasi dragged back to work in the middle of his summer vacation