It would appear that the idea of a Marriage Protection Amendment for South Carolina has been placed in the hands of the voters.  At 3:30 p.m. April 25, the South Carolina House went along with the Senate Amendment to H.3133.  November next year, we will decide if we want to amend our constitution with by weaving into it a definition of traditional marriage.

Here is the joint resolution:

TO PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XVII OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS, BY ADDING SECTION 15, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A MARRIAGE OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN IS THE ONLY LAWFUL DOMESTIC UNION THAT SHALL BE VALID OR RECOGNIZED IN THIS STATE.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    It is proposed that Article XVII of the Constitution of this State be amended by adding:

"Section 15.    A marriage between one man and one woman is the only lawful domestic union that shall be valid or recognized in this State. This State and its political subdivisions shall not create a legal status, right or claim respecting any other domestic union, however denominated. This State and its political subdivisions shall not recognize or give effect to a legal status, right or claim created by another jurisdiction respecting any other domestic union, however denominated. Nothing in this section shall impair any right or benefit extended by the State or its political subdivisions other than a right or benefit arising from a domestic union that is not valid or recognized in this State. This section shall not prohibit or limit parties, other than the State or its political subdivisions, from entering into contracts or other legal instruments.

SECTION    2.    The proposed amendment in SECTION 1 must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballot:

"Must Article XVII of the Constitution of this State be amended by adding Section 15 so as to provide that in this State and its political subdivisions, a marriage between one man and one woman is the only lawful domestic union that shall be valid or recognized; that this State and its political subdivisions shall not create, recognize or give effect to a legal status, right or claim created by another jurisdiction respecting any other domestic union, however denominated; that this amendment shall not impair any right or benefit extended by the state or its political subdivisions other than a right or benefit arising from a domestic union that is not valid or recognized in this State; and that this amendment shall not prohibit or limit the ability of parties other than the state or its political subdivisions from entering into contracts or other legal instruments?

Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."

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What do I think about this?  I think that it is something that should never needed to be done.  This action will not fix the root of the problem - a court that legislates public policy according to the pervading movement of current culture.  This is a placing of the finger in a dike full of holes.  Until the activist court is reined in, this will simply be the beginning of such attempts to maintain traditional understanding of our laws and culture.

Will I vote for this addition to our constitution?  Yes.  At this time, it seems to be the only way for us to voice our stand on these issues.  Our courts certainly are not standing there for us and for the most part, our elected leaders are unwilling to challenge the courts destruction of our constitution.

May we never need such another amendment.  Until then, I vote "Yes"