well hello Daily Kos,
somewhere in the more recent past i must have signed an online petition of some sort supporting marriage equality in my state (Maryland). i did so not thinking it would ever get any kind of response, but i was as i am often, wrong.
so my delegate sends my form letter with his official letterhead and cool-ass Maryland House of Delegates logo. and i quote:
"Thank you for contacting me regarding marriage and its impact in House Bill 438. I appreciate your taking the time to contact me and I welcome this opportunity to respond. This legislation passed the House and Senate and was signed into law by the governor on March 1, 2012.
The debate on whether to redefine marriage is certainly an emotional one. Both sides of the issue feel quite strongly. That being said, marriage is one the most basic institutions in all of history, and as such, there must be a decision upheld by law.
I believe that marriage, by definition and throughout history, consists of a man and a woman and should not be redefined for all Marylanders. Marriage is the foundation of the family, the pillar upon which any successful and flourishing society is founded. Marriage brings a man and woman together so that children can be born and then could be raised by both a mom and a dad. Therefore, I did not support this legislation.
While I know that we don't agree on this particular issue, I do value your thoughts and opinions, I hope that we can work together in the future on other important legislation.
Again thank you for contacting me. Please let me know if I can be of assistance to you or your family in the future.
Sincerely,
Delegate Michael Hough"
thank you Michael Hough.
thank you for writing me to tell me that you disagree with the rest of the state and me.
thank you for ranting in thinly veiled terms about the sanctity of marriage. (marriage is a contract people, get over it)
thank you for not capitalizing 'governor' which was a clear jab at O'Malley.
thank you for the history lesson, it did not know that the family unit was the cornerstone of a functioning society.
and thanks for mentioning that you think children need both a mom and a dad to raise them. (i'm a single mother)
and you're such a optimist, thinking that we'll be able to reach common ground and pass some sort of future meaningful legislation when its obvious you're pandering to the good ole' boy network pervasive in my neck of the woods.
this is my first diary.
please be gentle.
but seriously, a stamp for this form letter costs 50 cents. i could have bought a 5th of a gallon of gasoline for that!