Same Sex Marriage

J.D. Hayworth, McCain’s primary challenger, recently stumbled while discussing same sex marriage. He somehow got off on a tangent that people might want to marry their horses. This issue was settled in 1975. Please read on.

A constant theme in my blog is the need for people to get involved, at the local level, in politics. By local level I mean precinct, city, and county. Doing so can produce some interest results. In the early 1970’s, students and others associated with the University of Colorado, Boulder County, CO overwhelmed and took over the political parties in the county at the caucus level, nominated their favorites, and captured many of the county offices in the general election. Their efforts were completely open and legal. All hell broke loose. Taxes, on the books but never previously collected from the movers and shakers, were now collected. Many other changes were made. The “establishment” was truly shaken.

Clela Rorex was elected County Clerk and Recorder. She was well qualified. Her father was the long term County Clerk and Recorder of Routt County, CO, and very good at his job. He was reelected by such margins he rarely had a challenger. Clela grew up working in his office as an unpaid helper. She knew the procedures, rules, and law.

Clela issued the first same sex marriage licenses in the country. She checked with the County Attorney. There was no law on the books forbidding it. She ended up issuing six licenses in all. One day a man came in and wanted to marry his horse. There was no law against it. Clela asked the age of the horse then informed him, by law, the horse was too young and needed written permission from both parents. Mr. Hayworth must not know of this precedence.

This is an example of how political change happens. What happened in Boulder County influenced Colorado politics and new laws for years.

The evangelicals have used the local process to gain a lot of influence. My hope is that the Tea Party participants will get into the gritty business of politics at the local level. It is not as much fun as parades and rallies but is much more effective. You won’t get a lot changed by spending your time talking with people who already agree with you. I write as a former precinct committeeman. My late father was a precinct committeeman and County Captain. He was a man of modest means but had a lot of influence. All you need is the willingness to give a few hours a month and a strong ego to withstand the critics that will come your way. The good is you will attend some great parties! Many precincts positions are unfilled. Call your Parties’ county office.

Was it Woody Allen who said 80% of success is just showing up?
Show up, and be amazed at what you can get done. Tip O’Neil said that all politics is local. Somebody in your locality is making your decisions. Why isn’t it you?

Much more fun than the 8" of global warming I just shoveled of the deck and stairs.