Contrasts in undermining or upholding the Constitution – AG Holder and MI AG – Schuette

By: American Decency Staff

This morning U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder dismissed the U.S. Constitution and the state of Michigan’s constitution by rendering decisions made by the  Governor of Michigan,  Michigan’s state attorney general, and Michigan citizens  null and void.

A main concern of the Founding Fathers was that the federal government would (over time) become tyrannical as the federal branch expanded and began encroaching upon spheres of responsibility outside of its jurisprudence:  i.e. state governments.  

It isn’t outlandish to suggest that Eric Holder was nominated by President Obama to be the U.S. Attorney General because Mr. Obama knew that Eric Holder would be an aggressive (bullying)  advocate of the homosexual agenda, same-sex marriage, the promotion of the assimilation of the Muslim Brotherhood influence into the governmental affairs leading to the undermining of the military’s ability to protect Americans both here and abroad.

Mission accomplished.  After all, Eric Holder is President Barack Obama’s Attorney General.

The Fox News headline reads:
Holder says feds will recognize Michigan gay marriages despite state decision
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/28/holder-says-feds-will-recognize-michigan-same-sex-marriages-despite-governor/

Talking points:

1.      Attorney General Eric Holder said that the federal government will recognize about 300 same-sex marriages performed in Michigan before a federal appeals court halted them, despite a decision by Michigan's governor not to recognize those unions. 

2.      The decision means federal benefits will be extended to those couples — including the ability to file taxes jointly, get Social Security benefits for spouses and request legal immigration status for partners. 

3.       Holder has taken similar action recently in Utah, where more than 1,000 same-sex couples got married, before the Supreme Court put those unions on hold in January after a federal judge overturned the conservative state's same-sex marriage ban in December. 

4.      Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman struck down Michigan's gay marriage ban. 

5.      Four Michigan counties then took the extraordinary step of waiving the three-day waiting period for marriage licenses and opening their offices on Saturday to grant marriage licenses before the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered a temporary halt. The stay was extended indefinitely on Tuesday. 

6.      Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder afterward called the marriages performed last weekend legal, but said Michigan won't recognize them. 

7.      Snyder, who is a Republican, acknowledged that same-sex couples "had a legal marriage." But because of the court's stay, he added, Michigan’s gay marriage ban has been restored. The governor's move closed the door to certain state benefits reserved solely for married couples.

8.      Then, today, Friday, March 28, Obama’s Attorney General did what he has learned from his president – took the “law” into his own hands.  In other words, if the Constitution goes against your agenda, you find another way.  i.e.:  lawlessness which is becoming increasingly familiar under our current “administration.”

In contrast, Michigan’s Attorney General Bill Schuette has stood firm, acknowledging the oath he took to uphold the U.S. and Michigan Constitutions.   Quoting Bill Schuette from an article in the liberal Detroit Free Press (I might add):

“I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this state, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of attorney general to the best of my ability.”

That is the oath of office I took, the same oath taken by all of Michigan’s attorneys general. And that oath requires the Michigan attorney general to support the entire constitution — not bits and pieces, not just the odd-numbered pages, or only on sunny days.

In addition, since the office of attorney general was founded — predating the entry of Michigan into the United States — this office has been the lawyer for the people. In 2004, more than 2.7 million Michigan voters, almost 60%, voted in favor of a constitutional amendment that stated, “The union of one man and one woman in marriage shall be the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose.”

Now, the Detroit Free Press Editorial Board is urging the State of Michigan’s chief  legal officer to violate his oath of office, ignore the constitution and negate the will of the people.

To be clear: I will uphold my oath, I will support the constitution and I will defend the will of the people.

When Michigan’s constitution was rewritten and approved by voters in 1963, it gave pre-eminent place to this phrase: “All political power is inherent in the people.” That is Article 1, Section 1, of our state’s fundamental governing document.

In other words, in Michigan, the people rule. So, when 2.7 million Michigan voters support a constitutional amendment (as they did in 2004), that means something, and an attorney general is duty-bound to defend the wishes of the voters. To do anything less would be a dereliction of duty.

Moreover, Michigan’s voters had a rational basis for their vote: Marriage has been understood to be between one man and one woman by virtually all civilizations throughout the centuries. The notion that marriage would be anything else has only emerged in the last few decades. It is not irrational for voters to support the belief that a mom and a dad are not interchangeable. This is a policy question, precisely the sort of decision that a democracy entrusts to the people. Furthermore, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that states have the authority to regulate marriage. This is what Michigan voters have done.

The Michigan Constitution tackles all manner of controversial issues: affirmative action, stem cell research, the death penalty, term limits, to name just a few. Does the Free Press really want one person — the attorney general — to decide which parts of the constitution to defend and which to ignore?

My father died when I was 6 years old. My mother raised my two older sisters and me, so I have personal knowledge of the fact that families come in all colors, shapes and sizes.

But I also know that there is a difference between a buffet and the state’s constitution. This fundamental document is not a cafeteria in which you can pick and choose which measures are enforced and defended….
http://www.freep.com/article/20140325/OPINION04/303250017/michigan-gay-marriage-same-sex-bill-schuette-response-rights

Express your appreciation to Michigan's Attorney General for his upholding of the U.S. Constitution (and Michigan’s Constitution).

Click here to send a message of appreciation to Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette.

Also, express your deep concern to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder as his lawless actions demonstrate that he considers himself above the law.

Click here to send a message of concern to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

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