On June 26, 2015 the United States Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional for states to prevent gays and lesbians from their equal right to marry the partner of their choosing. While this is a huge victory, some fear that Republicans could reverse this decision. Can it be undone by the Republicans?
The Religious Right are crying so much that hear many red states have been completely flooded with their tears. Welcome to the Rainbow Wedding; Loras Tyrell sends his regards. It is done; their watch is over. Still, they are vowing that they will continue to fight. Do they stand a chance?
Theoretically, is there any way for the Republicans to reverse this decision? Well, I am not a lawyer, but I did student teach civics so I do know at least a little about this. As near as I can figure, the Republicans have three possibilities left to them if they want to reverse this decision:
1. The Republicans can completely win landslide victories in the House and Senate. They would have to win enough seats in the House and Senate to get two-thirds of both houses to pass a Constitutional Amendment. In fact, they have already proposed such an amendment many times and it has never come close to passing… and that was before most Democrats started to openly support marriage equality. It is unlikely that they will win that many seats, but just to be sure citizens who support marriage equality should make an effort to vote in every election every year and not just come out during presidential elections. Congressional candidates are elected every two years and there are usually local candidates running every year. Secular minded people should even consider running for office.
2. Republicans can win the Presidential election and during the President’s term one or more of the five Justices who voted for marriage equality could die or retire. The Republican President would then have to appoint a new Justice and have that Justice confirmed by the Senate. Independently of this, a case involving gay marriage must be appealed through the court system and sent up to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court must agree to take the case and would need to reverse their previous ruling.
I guess that’s possible, but it seems pretty unlikely. Again, the best way to prevent this from happening is to vote and not let a Religious Right Republican anywhere near the White House.
3. The South could rise again! That’s right, the Religious Right could take their guns and start and win a civil war against the federal government. Glenn Beck could take his army of pastors willing to die to prevent gay marriage and start an actual civil war.
While it is possible (although incredibly unlikely) that some wacky Right-wingers might actually try this, it would almost certainly be doomed to fail. I just don’t see Huckabee’s Rebellion having any chance against the full might of the United States Military. Even the army of Duggar children lead by Chuck Norris and Sarah Palin would be no match for… well… the Coast Guard.
Sorry Republicans but marriage equality for the gay community is here to stay. If you guys haven’t been able to reverse Roe v. Wade yet, you certainly aren’t going to be able to reverse gay marriage. It is over! You will have to find some other way to hate on gays or move to one of the many nations around the world that has already outlawed being gay. I hear Iran is nice this time of year. Don’t let Lady Liberty hit you on the way out.
Related articles
- Corporate Religious Exemptions (skepticink.com)
- Rick Perry’s ‘Strong’ ad attacks secular values (examiner.com)
