New Mexico Watchman

Dear Friends,

The people of New Mexico deserve an opportunity to express their views on same-sex “marriage.” Governor Bill Richardson announced on September 29 that Domestic Partnerships will again be considered this legislative session which begins on Tuesday, January 19.

At no time have the people of this national said “yes” to same-sex marriage.

Thirty-one states have voted on homosexual marriage including the larger states of California and New York. Each time the American people have been allowed a say at the ballot box, the enactment has been voted down.

Currently five states, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and Iowa and now the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage. All have been accomplished by fiat - either by court order, as in the case of Iowa, or as recently noted, by the City Council in the District of Columbia.

In New Mexico, the homosexual community has made repeated attempts to pass same-sex marriage. The legislation has been cloaked as domestic partnerships. Domestic Partnerships are touted as being a desperate need of the elderly and the disabled. Heads of Governor Richardson’s governmental agencies are sent to testify before legislative committees to plead the case.

You rarely see the aged or the disabled at these meetings, however. You see mostly young gay activists populating the halls of the legislature.

Senator William Sharer of Farmington has introduced legislation that would allow New Mexicans an opportunity to decide on the same-sex marriage issue. SJR 1, a one page Senate Joint Resolution, calls for a constitution amendment to be voted on by the citizens of New Mexico. It would define marriage as being between one man and one woman.

The political reality is that the Governor dictates what legislation is allowed on even legislative years, during the 30-day “budget” sessions. By keeping silent, the Governor can wall off this legislation.

If the legislation were allowed, it would be assigned to the “Senate Rules Committee.” The Chair of the Rules Committee would then have to allow it to be presented and voted on. (Committee chairs have a great deal of power.) The Chair of the Senate Rules Committee is none other than Senator Linda Lopez. Senator Lopez last session proposed what might be considered a 15-minute-a-day homosexual indoctrination program for all New Mexico schools in an “anti-bullying” bill. She managed get passed a “Senate Memorial” requiring our schools to develop and incorporate a “Tolerance Curriculum.”

If the citizens of New Mexico are allowed to only play defense against the gay agenda, we can stand only in opposition to same-sex marriage. The citizens of New Mexico should be afforded an opportunity to address this issue in a straight forward way.

Governor Richardson, tear down this wall.

God bless our 2010 Legislature and

God bless you in the New Year.

Jose Vasquez