In spite of the expected accusations to the contrary, Stephen Harper today articulated clearly his position on the nagging issue of same-sex marriage, falling back on his recurring abortion rhetoric that “we have no intention of reopening or opening this issue.” The mystifying aspect of his stance is that he claims that “we had a vote on this issue,” referring to a vague request during his first year in office when—with a minority government—the hostile House was asked whether they wished to revisit the issue of same-sex marriage. The House said “No;” case closed. Really? Where is the leadership in caving in to a misguided, unreasonable, and self-serving lobby after a single failed attempt to open a discussion? If Wilberforce had given up after his first, second, third, fourth, etc. attempt, Britain might still have the slave trade.
Everyone who’s followed the debate over the years knows that the passage of same-sex marriage in 2005 was only successful because the Liberals and NDP were whipped (some before the vote and a few brave souls after). It only reached the House in the first place because of illegitimate court rulings and special treatment for that paragon of virtue, jewel thief Svend Robinson, who first promoted the concept (along with his efforts to add “sexual orientation” to the list of protected categories under Human Rights legislation). The indecent assault on the Charter by unelected judges set the stage, the leftist media (including taxpayer-funded CBC) violated listeners ad nauseum with their tales of sad and sorry homosexuals who “only want to live ‘normal’ lives with the same rights as everyone else,” and Parliament bravely stepped up to the plate and voted against the wishes of the public who elected them. Since then, the news and entertainment media, the taxpayer funded school systems, and the human rights commissions have worked hard to convince Canadians that the current status quo is what they want. Their bullying tactics have been appallingly successful and same-sex marriage has now become the “new normal.”
Back to the issue of political expediency and the true grit (no pun intended) required to challenge bad laws and pass good ones. Over the years, from its first iteration as the Reform Party and up through its somewhat compromised current edition, the Conservative Party as a whole, and Mr. Harper as an individual, have promised to eliminate the wasteful and repressive long-gun registry. We agree with and applaud that stance. Hold the line. Don’t flinch. Do what’s right. Fail once? Try again. What makes this issue different? After all, marriage between one man and one woman is the bedrock foundation of our Western society and social institutions. Why does this Prime Minister not have the backbone to stand up for marriages, for families, and for children?
If the goal of attaining power is to simply retain power, Mr. Harper’s limp excuse for not challenging the status quo might be seen as justifiable political expediency. If, however, seeking the privilege of leading this nation is to improve the prospects for a morally-cohesive society, established on fundamental principles of justice, free speech, and strengthened families, Mr. Harper’s promise to “not reopen or open the issue” is a failure of moral fibre. Of course, Mr. Harper is answering a question people aren’t asking. Reopen the debate? It was never closed.
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