birch paper

ron paul vs. freedom (to marry)

Richanne Petrigno has a beautiful, healthy baby girl.

She has one in part because she chose to forgo her treatment for her own brain tumor while she was pregnant. She chose life at the risk of her own.

Now it’s time to take care of herself before her tumor gets any worse. One problem:

Without insurance coverage, Richanne hasn’t seen a doctor since August. She has plans to go for a consultation next month, but in the meantime, her symptoms have continued to worsen.

How could this be? Richanne’s wife (here in New Hampshire, thanks to a coalition of Democrats, some Yankee Republicans, and genuine libertarians) you’re free to marry the one you love, regardless of gender) is fully employed by a company that offers benefits. Oh:

Under the federal Defense of Marriage Act, however, Laura’s employer, a multi-state technology company, is not required to offer coverage to same-sex spouses.

This is a tragic example of the kind of damage to freedom and family that phony libertarians like Ron Paul can do.

Ron Paul wants to be president. The route to the presidency begins in Iowa. Last February:

Congressman Ron Paul issued the following statement in response to Attorney General Eric Holder’s announcement that the Obama Administration will cease to defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) against legal challenges.

“The Defense of Marriage Act was enacted in 1996 to stop Big Government in Washington from re-defining marriage and forcing its definition on the States. Like the majority of Iowans, I believe that marriage is between one man and one woman and must be protected.

“I supported the Defense of Marriage Act, which used Congress’ constitutional authority to define what other states have to recognize under the Full Faith and Credit Clause, to ensure that no state would be forced to recognize a same sex marriage license issued in another state. I have also cosponsored the Marriage Protection Act, which would remove challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act from the jurisdiction of the federal courts.

“The people of Iowa overwhelmingly supported, both houses of the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed into law the Iowa Defense Of Marriage Act in 1998.  Iowans then valiantly recalled three activist Judges who spurned the will of the people by over-turning the state’s law.

“Today’s announcement that the Obama Administration will abandon its obligation to enforce DOMA is truly disappointing and shows a profound lack of respect for the Constitution and the Rule of Law. President Obama has just unconstitutionally said that Iowa should have to allow San Francisco and New York City decide its marriage laws. That position is unacceptable.

“The Administration’s dereliction throws the door wide open for special interests to abuse Federal power and attempt to force Iowa to recognize non-traditional marriage. Upcoming battles are looming just over the horizon.

“I will stand with the people of Iowa, against Unconstitutional federal power grabs, and will fight to protect each state’s right not to be forced to recognize a same sex marriage against the will of its people. If I were a member of the Iowa legislature, I would do all I could to oppose any attempt by rogue judges to impose a new definition of marriage on the people of my state.”

Note especially the homophobia baiting of “San Francisco” and “New York City.”

Ron Paul wants to be president. So what if he tramples on an actual person’s freedom to marry and access to health care to get to the White House?

30 December 2011 ·