Let the People Decide | Eastern NC Now

    On May 8, 2012, North Carolinians will have the opportunity to vote FOR the Marriage Protection Amendment, an amendment to the state constitution defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Every day that goes by is another day when a judge can decide to substitute his values for those of North Carolinians. We need the Marriage Protection Amendment to prevent that.

    Marriage is under attack across the nation. In fact, North Carolina's marriage statutes are presently being challenged in state court in Guilford County. If activist judges or politicians were to succeed in redefining marriage in North Carolina, there would be profound consequences for religious organizations, individuals, medical professionals, and small businesses--and for society itself.

    In addition, protecting marriage promotes business in North Carolina. There is no study, economic or otherwise, that has ever shown that the protection of marriage has yielded negative economic consequences to a state. In fact, states that have protected marriage have better business rankings than states that have not. The fact that 30 states have already protected marriage in their constitutions affirms it is good for business.

    The Marriage Protection Amendment also protects the rights of businesses owners to offer benefits to whomever they choose. Protecting marriage from re-definition allows businesses to continue offering benefits based on business decisions, instead of being mandated by government to provide benefits to same-sex partners of employees. After the amendment passes, businesses that offer benefits to same-sex couples can continue offering those benefits, including health insurance, because the amendment has no legal impact on private businesses in any way.

    For these reasons, I urge you to join the effort to pass the Marriage Protection Amendment on May 8. It's time for the people of North Carolina to have their voices heard on the definition of marriage. The sanctity of marriage is too important to leave up to the courts to define.

    For more information about how to preserve marriage in North Carolina, you may visit the official website for the campaign: VoteForMarriageNC.com.