Your Hands Are Now Dirty Mr. Petersburg...
The ideals of freedom and liberty are not exclusive to one race, creed, sexuality or socioeconomic status. The beauty of the Thomas Jefferson/Ron Paul model of governing is that it is inclusive of anyone that yearns to have a say in their own destiny. A recent political flyer distributed to voters in my district states that I am out of touch with taxpayers and out of touch with "Our Values." Let me give you a few examples of recent "republican " values regarding the sanctity of marriage. A former Vice-chair for the Minnesota Republican Party, Michael Brodkorb, was recently fired for having an extra-marital affair with married State Senator Amy Koch. Mr. Brodkorb has also filed a lawsuit seeking damages for discrimination due to his gender. Mr. Brodkorb's lawyer stated in a Huffington Post article from March 3rd, 2012 "It is clear that Mr. Brodkorb was terminated based on his gender. He intends to depose all of the female legislative staff employees who participated in intimate relationships, as well as the legislators who were party to those intimate relationships, in support of his claims of gender discrimination." So when the party says that I am "Out of touch with our values" I take that as a compliment.
The party flyer states that I oppose a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. This is true. I do not believe that marriage, of any type, should be defined by the government. My actual quote in the Mankato Free Press from July 29, 2012 states "I don't think government has the right to have involvement in any marriage, be it heterosexual or homosexual," Here is the quote from the Owatonna Peoples Press from August 3rd, 2012 "Maybe it's my libertarian leanings, but I just don't think it's the government's place to dictate social policy...If we allow same-sex marriage, it doesn't diminish the meaning of my marriage," Prior to a 1967 Supreme Court decision, interracial marriage was banned or restricted in most States. Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863 was a powerful move that promised freedom for slaves during a time when the population still approved of owning people as property. These are just a few examples from our history where our leaders have challenged the rule of the day in order to remove the shackles of prejudice and bigotry. The dream of equality should be available to all men and women.
I was born and raised in the Catholic church, I believe in God and Jesus Christ, but I have a problem with people that think they have the right to impose their religious beliefs on another. The republican party leaders and my opponent are trying to tell me, and you, that by not accepting their version of reality, we are somehow "out of touch." I find that way of thinking weak, destructive and intolerant. This primary isn't about mindlessly voting for the "endorsed" candidate. It is a chance to vote your heart and conscience. A chance to finally and fundamentally change the way we do political business in Minnesota. Don't let the party puppet masters talk down to you, scare you or lie to you any longer. On August 14th, take control of our future by voting for me, and show the two-party establishment that the people still have a voice.
