Democracy in Action

Two somewhat related stories today illustrate how democracy's supposed to work. First, we have the decision of the Connecticut legislature to pass a bill that allows civil unions for gay couples...

Connecticut's House of Representatives passed legislation Wednesday that would make the state the second to establish civil unions for same-sex couples, and the first to do so without being directed by a court.

The state Senate overwhelmingly approved a civil-unions bill last week, and lawmakers said they expect to endorse the House version as early as next week. Gov. M. Jodi Rell (R) said Wednesday that she will sign it.

Next, we have the decision of Oregon's Supreme Court nullifying gay marriage licenses issued by a county within the state...

The Oregon Supreme Court on Thursday nullified nearly 3,000 marriage licenses issued to gay couples a year ago by Portland's Multnomah County, saying a county cannot go against state matrimonial law.

"Oregon law currently places the regulation of marriage exclusively within the province of the state's legislative power," the high court said in its unanimous ruling.

The court said state law bans gay marriage. It also noted that Oregon voters approved a constitutional amendment last November that even more explicitly prohibits the practice.

The second article also notes that efforts will now get under way in Oregon to pass laws permitting civil unions. The key phrase there is to pass laws.

I know that there are many people who outright oppose gay marriages and civil unions. I know there are people who consider civil unions a half-assed half-measure. But both sides should celebrate both of these decisions.

In the former, voters who don't agree with the legislature can make efforts to toss the people who voted for this law out of office... which they could not do if judges had declared gay marriage to be legal. In the latter case, the will of the voters is respected -- they don't want gay marriage. Those who disagree can work to changes the minds of the voters.