Albuquerque - Remember to vote in this week's non-scientific poll. Marriage Equality has dominated the news cycle for a solid week as more New Mexico counties commence the issuance of same sex marriage licenses. This week we ask our politicos "Should government have a role in a religious ceremony like marriage?" Voting will be open through Noon on Friday and the results will be showcased in this week's edition of New Mexico Politico Radio. Remember to listen on Sunday 8am at New Mexico's Rock of Talk 95.9 FM and KIVA 1600 AM.
8.28.2013
8.27.2013
Marriage: An institution of the state or church?
Albuquerque - New Mexico has captured both the ire and admiration of many in the past couple weeks with five of the state's counties commencing the issuance of same sex marriage licenses. A very vocal segment of society likes to equate this as the civil rights triumph of our modern time while others see this as a major government overreach and another example of the social moral decay of this generation. The stigma that divides society on this issue has left the darkness of taboo and entered front and center the forum of ideas in American politics.
The marriage equality movement is one of the most organized and vocal political movements to successfully mobilize and win the public narrative in recent memory. The bipartisan endorsed 1996 Defense of Marriage Act was recently deemed unconstitutional and overturned by a right of center United States Supreme Court. Liberal California's Proposition 8 which created an amendment to the California state constitution defining marriage as between a man and woman was ruled unconstitutional by a U.S. Appeals Court, a decision also supported by the Supreme Court earlier this summer. Politicians are quick to calculate and accommodate the changing social norms in order to stay in step with those who most effectively shake the cage of American political discourse. Presidents Obama and Clinton both formerly articulating that they believed in the traditional definition of marriage have now come in full support of marriage equality and have been followed by many elected officials who advocate for the same position. This is not surprising as many elected officials, both Republican and Democrat, seem to follow and use the changing contemporary social traditions to govern rather than the principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Most Republicans have taken a socially conservative stance on this issue citing biblical references and religious dogma in defending their position in supporting traditional marriage. The same Republicans often articulate small government sentiments when considering other social and economic policies yet they conveniently use big government to push a specific social agenda on society. This unfortunate inconsistency has limited the credibility of the Republican party with a growing population of independent and young voters, the same voters who are increasingly influential in elections and policy. It would do Republicans well to shed these past inconsistencies and face the current issue with a more constitutional question, "Why is the government involved in an institution of the church in the first place?"
There are few Republicans who are articulating this concept. One is the Dona Ana Republican Party Chairman David Clements. In a recent press release Chairman Clements hammers out a narrative that Republicans should follow.
"Republicans instinctively defend our core values by referring to natural law concepts acknowledged in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution or more authoritatively the Bible. For example Republicans routinely appeal to the Bible as the source of authority to defend the definition of traditional marriage. In particular, Genesis 2:24 and Mark 10:6-7.
Yet, we hamstring ourselves by fighting secularist-progressives on their battle ground. Namely that our fundamental rights come from the government and not our Creator. Though well intentioned, we have welcomed the government into our marriages by promoting subsidies and tax breaks in order to promote the nuclear family. This has unintended consequences. By providing government benefits to some and withholding from others, we provide the very legal foothold progressives need to establish grounds for lawsuit based on discrimination. In this writer's opinion, when we remove marriage from government control, we save it. If government has to be involved, it should only be at the State level in accordance with the Constitution.
Progressives want conservatives to base our arguments on ever-changing societal norms and "tradition" instead of the Constitution and natural law. Why? Because progressive reforms can infiltrate, endure and become the new "tradition." When Republicans are complicit in creating meaning never contemplated by the authors of the Constitution, we lose our intellectual ammunition and end up accepting the change, for better or worse.
Republicans, it is only with an intellectual revolution and a reclaiming of the Constitution that we can effectively fight for religious freedom, marriage, property rights, and free speech. Truth is our strongest weapon. Arm yourself with the truth and change the battlefield."
Clements strongly articulates the constitutional narrative that conservatives, libertarians, and republicans should adopt when responding to the question of marriage equality. Most Americans are disenchanted with the obscene government intrusions and constitutional abuses that have been recently revealed by whistle blowers like Edward Snowden, Bradley Manning, and others further strengthening the case against more state involvement in our personal relationships and lives. Government involvement in the licensing of marriage to anyone has invited the current controversy of semantics to take place. Regardless of society's definition of marriage, our governments should only be involved in the issuing of civil unions or partnerships for all. Those who wish to be married must enter that institution with the blessing of ceremony by their chosen religious or spiritual community.
This subject is painful for many to discuss as we all have gay friends, family, and associates. We truly achieve equality by calming our emotions, ending the shouting matches and having a respectfully tempered discussion with the objective to understand one another. We must not allow social divisions like this fracture our families and communities. There is a solution for all and that solution can be found in the "intellectual revolution" that Clements speaks of.
The marriage equality movement is one of the most organized and vocal political movements to successfully mobilize and win the public narrative in recent memory. The bipartisan endorsed 1996 Defense of Marriage Act was recently deemed unconstitutional and overturned by a right of center United States Supreme Court. Liberal California's Proposition 8 which created an amendment to the California state constitution defining marriage as between a man and woman was ruled unconstitutional by a U.S. Appeals Court, a decision also supported by the Supreme Court earlier this summer. Politicians are quick to calculate and accommodate the changing social norms in order to stay in step with those who most effectively shake the cage of American political discourse. Presidents Obama and Clinton both formerly articulating that they believed in the traditional definition of marriage have now come in full support of marriage equality and have been followed by many elected officials who advocate for the same position. This is not surprising as many elected officials, both Republican and Democrat, seem to follow and use the changing contemporary social traditions to govern rather than the principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Most Republicans have taken a socially conservative stance on this issue citing biblical references and religious dogma in defending their position in supporting traditional marriage. The same Republicans often articulate small government sentiments when considering other social and economic policies yet they conveniently use big government to push a specific social agenda on society. This unfortunate inconsistency has limited the credibility of the Republican party with a growing population of independent and young voters, the same voters who are increasingly influential in elections and policy. It would do Republicans well to shed these past inconsistencies and face the current issue with a more constitutional question, "Why is the government involved in an institution of the church in the first place?"
There are few Republicans who are articulating this concept. One is the Dona Ana Republican Party Chairman David Clements. In a recent press release Chairman Clements hammers out a narrative that Republicans should follow.
"Republicans instinctively defend our core values by referring to natural law concepts acknowledged in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution or more authoritatively the Bible. For example Republicans routinely appeal to the Bible as the source of authority to defend the definition of traditional marriage. In particular, Genesis 2:24 and Mark 10:6-7.
Yet, we hamstring ourselves by fighting secularist-progressives on their battle ground. Namely that our fundamental rights come from the government and not our Creator. Though well intentioned, we have welcomed the government into our marriages by promoting subsidies and tax breaks in order to promote the nuclear family. This has unintended consequences. By providing government benefits to some and withholding from others, we provide the very legal foothold progressives need to establish grounds for lawsuit based on discrimination. In this writer's opinion, when we remove marriage from government control, we save it. If government has to be involved, it should only be at the State level in accordance with the Constitution.
Progressives want conservatives to base our arguments on ever-changing societal norms and "tradition" instead of the Constitution and natural law. Why? Because progressive reforms can infiltrate, endure and become the new "tradition." When Republicans are complicit in creating meaning never contemplated by the authors of the Constitution, we lose our intellectual ammunition and end up accepting the change, for better or worse.
Republicans, it is only with an intellectual revolution and a reclaiming of the Constitution that we can effectively fight for religious freedom, marriage, property rights, and free speech. Truth is our strongest weapon. Arm yourself with the truth and change the battlefield."
Clements strongly articulates the constitutional narrative that conservatives, libertarians, and republicans should adopt when responding to the question of marriage equality. Most Americans are disenchanted with the obscene government intrusions and constitutional abuses that have been recently revealed by whistle blowers like Edward Snowden, Bradley Manning, and others further strengthening the case against more state involvement in our personal relationships and lives. Government involvement in the licensing of marriage to anyone has invited the current controversy of semantics to take place. Regardless of society's definition of marriage, our governments should only be involved in the issuing of civil unions or partnerships for all. Those who wish to be married must enter that institution with the blessing of ceremony by their chosen religious or spiritual community.
This subject is painful for many to discuss as we all have gay friends, family, and associates. We truly achieve equality by calming our emotions, ending the shouting matches and having a respectfully tempered discussion with the objective to understand one another. We must not allow social divisions like this fracture our families and communities. There is a solution for all and that solution can be found in the "intellectual revolution" that Clements speaks of.
8.19.2013
Vote in this weeks non-scientific poll
Albuquerque - Voters in New Mexico's largest metropolitan area will go to the polls in seven weeks to decide who will lead their municipal government for the next four years. Filling day was last Tuesday with incumbent Mayor Richard Berry, Paul Heh, and Pete Dinelli making their campaigns official. Citizens of the Duke City are beginning to see the casual campaign sign or two popping up in their neighborhoods and off the main thoroughfares. Incumbent Mayor Berry seems to have a well oiled campaign, successfully deflecting any attempt by his rivals to shed negative messages or press on him. Politicos from the South Valley all the way up to the Northeast Heights have a few questions when considering this race. Will the low key 'average joe' style of Berry be enough for Albuquerque voters to retain him? With the addition of Republican Paul Heh, Will conservatives split the vote and send this into a special run-off election in November? Please vote in our weekly poll and listen Sunday 8:00 am to New Mexico Politico Radio on New Mexico's Rock of Talk 95.9 FM and KIVA 1600 AM to hear the results.
8.16.2013
This Week's Guests on New Mexico Politico Radio
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| AHD |
8.12.2013
Martinez Appoints Rawson to Dona Ana County Commission
Albuquerque - Another Rawson ascends to political office in Dona Ana County, this time by appointment. Benjamin Rawson, son of former State Senator and current State Investment Council member (also an appointed position) Leanord Lee Rawson, was appointed this afternoon to the Dona Ana County Commission. Rawson's appointment as the Third District Commissioner will last until December 2014. Republican Rawson replaces Democrat Karen Perez who resigned last Friday to take a job in Texas. Rawson will be the lone Republican member of the five member commission. Rawson is the general manager of his family's business, Rawson Inc. Builders Supply and also serves as a board member for the New Mexico Home Builders Association and is Treasurer of the Las Cruces Home Builders Association.
8.10.2013
Vote In This Week's New Mexico Politico Non-Scientific Poll
Albuquerque - Please vote in this week's non-scientific poll featuring an inquiry into possible Republican candidates for New Mexico's 1st congressional district. After the 2012 defeat of former State Representative Janice Arnold-Jones, Republicans seem to be neutralized in Albuquerque's democratic leaning congressional seat. The 'chatter' in regards to this race is close to non-existent as Republicans seem to be preoccupied in their efforts to re-elect Mayor Richard Berry. A few names have been mentioned and are included in this week's poll. Send your comments or suggestions to ahd@newmexicopolitico.com
8.09.2013
New Mexico Politico Radio Now On Sundays
Albuquerque - For those of you who've been listening to New Mexico Politico Radio on Saturdays, we are excited to announce our move to Sundays at 8am before Meet The Press on New Mexico's Rock of Talk 95.9 FM, 1600 AM, and worldwide at www.rockoftalk.comOn this week's edition of New Mexico Politico Radio we are joined by Bob Cornelius, Joey Peters, and Nick Maniatis. We discuss the week's top headlines, in-depth analysis of politics and culture. Remember to send me your news, views, and comments at ahd@newmexicopolitico.com
8.05.2013
The 'Roundhouse Cowboy' Rides Again
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| Andy Nunez |
Susana Martinez, a former Democrat who became a Republican to challenge an incumbent Democratic district attorney, is about to lose the spotlight to a familiar face from Dona Ana county.
New Mexico's fiercely independent 'Roundhouse Cowboy' has politicos all a chatter once again. Former State Representative Andy Nunez will change his party registration from DTS (decline to state) to Republican. According to a press release, Nunez will register as a Republican and take questions at the Secretary of State's office in Santa Fe Tuesday morning at 10:00 am. Nunez a lifelong Democrat became an Independent (DTS) after he and the late Speaker of the House, Ben Lujan had a very public exchange resulting in Nunez losing the important chairmanship of the House Agriculture and Water Resources committee. Nunez ran for re-election as an independent in 2012, losing a three way race where current Democrat State Representative Phillip Archuleta was elected.
Politicos anticipate Nunez will announce his candidacy for State Representative, a direct challenge to incumbent Archuleta. Nunez is quite popular in Hatch, where he serves as Mayor, and most of house district 36 which includes Northwest Las Cruces and the northern Mesilla Valley. This will easily be the most closely watched house race as New Mexico Republicans attempt to assume a political majority in the New Mexico House of Representatives. If Nunez and Republicans are successful next fall, will the next Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives be a cavalier cowboy from Hatch? Anything is possible here in 'La Politica'.
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