The common response from conservatives to the passage of same-sex marriage in New York demonstrates once again that the fundamental principle of conservatism is using big government to impose their views upon others. This is hardly a limited government philosophy.
It was a pleasant, but limited, surprise to see that Michele Bachmann supports the right of New Yorkers to legalize same-sex marriage considering the amount of homophobia she has displayed in the past.
BACHMANN: In New York state, they have passed the law at the state legislative level and, under the 10th amendment, the states have the right to set the laws that they want to set.
WALLACE: So even though you oppose it, then its ok from — your point of view — for New York to say that same-sex marriage is legal.
BACHMANN: That is up to the people of New York. I think that it’s best to allow the people to decide on this issue. I think it’s best if there is an amendment that goes on the ballot, where people can weigh in. […]
WALLACE: But you would agree, if its passed by the state legislature and signed by the governor then that’s the state’s position.
BACHMANN: It’s state law. And the 10th amendment reserves to the states that right.
Bachmann’s view of this based upon states’ rights remains flawed as this should be a matter of individual liberty. Neither the federal or state government should be interfering with the private lives of individuals by regulating who someone can legally marry. While Bachmann might support the right of the people of New York to pass this, she would far more enthusiastically argue that the people of other states have a right to restrict the liberties of its citizens. Again, conservatism is not a limited government position.
Update: Michele Bachmann’s respect for the rights of the people of New York remains rather limited as she has also repeated her call for an amendment to the United States Constitution to ban same-sex marriage and overturn the recent vote in New York.
Same-Sex Marriage, Limited Government, And Michele Bachmann … http://bit.ly/lMMXbX
Same-Sex Marriage, Limited Government, And Michele Bachmann …: The common response from conservatives to the p… http://bit.ly/jotKLp