Politicians Who Favor Discrimination - Part 2

At this time of year, as we celebrate our nation’s Independence Day, it’s a good time to acknowledge the progress Minnesotan’s have made toward delivering on our nation’s Constitutional promise of Freedom and Equality for all.

Last November, I was pleased that Minnesota voters rejected a proposed state Constitutional Amendment which would have written illegal discrimination into Minnesota’s Constitution.

I was also pleased that in 2013 duly elected politicians in the State of Minnesota enacted a “Freedom to Marry” law, removing yet another obstacle to freedom and equality for all. We should celebrate the politicians who voted in favor of freedom and equality. They deserve praise for their votes, without needing the “cattle prod” of a Supreme Court decision to force them in the right direction.

The politicians whose names appear below do not deserve our respect. They have shown (or, in some cases, have continued to show) that they are unfit to hold public office anywhere in our great nation. In the year 2013 they chose to disrespect our nation and our nation’s Constitution. They voted to deny freedom and equality for all. They voted for illegal discrimination.

Our nation’s Constitution promises freedom and equality for all - not just for White, Christian, English language speaking, heterosexuals – but, for all. Attempting to limit the freedom of minority groups only serves to weaken Constitutuional protections for all.

One of the more disturbing elements heard during the Minnesota Senate “debate” on HF-1054 was when Senator Paul E Gazelka (R-9, Nisswa) submitted an amendment which would have gutted decades of equal rights protections by allowing someone with “sincerely held religious beliefs” to deny services, accommodations, or goods to anyone based on those beliefs. Further, it would have invalidated the entire “Freedom to Marry Act” if any of its provisions - such as those contained in the proposed amendment - were found to be unconstitutional. Rightfully, the amendment was defeated (but, sadly, twenty-six misguided Senators voted to allow illegal discrimination based on religious beliefs).

Religious beliefs should never be allowed to trump the freedom and equality promised in our nation’s Constitution and laws. While one of our promised freedoms is freedom of religion, it does not allow the beliefs of any religion to invalidate our Constitution and laws. We are free to follow our religious beliefs and customs as long as they don’t conflict with our nation’s Constitution and laws.  

In May, 2013, the following Minnesota politicians voted against freedom and equality (HF-1054). They voted for illegal discrimination. As noted below, some of them are two and three time offenders - having previously voted for the proposed Constitutional Amendment to add illegal discrimination to Minnesota’s Constitution and/or having voted for an amendment to allow illegal discrimination based on “sincerely held religious beliefs.”

Every day they should be reminded by family (especially their children and grandchildren) and friends that voting against our country is wrong. If they seek reelection or election to another office, voters should think carefully before voting. If these individuals are willing to vote to weaken our Constitutionally protected freedoms, what other bad decisions are they capable of making?

Rep Jim Abeler (R-35A, Anoka) (x2)

Rep Tony Albright (R-55B, Prior Lake)

Sen Bruce D Anderson (R-29, Buffalo) (x3)

Rep Mark Anderson (R-09A, Lake Shore)

Rep Paul H Anderson (R-12B, Starbuck) (x2)

Rep Sarah Anderson (R-44A, Plymouth) (x2)

Rep Bob Barrett (R-32B, Lindstrom) (x2)

Rep Michael Beard (R-55A, Shakopee) (x2)

Sen Michelle R Benson (R-31, Ham Lake) (x3)

Rep Mike Benson (R-26B, Rochester) (x2)

Sen David M Brown (R-15, Becker) (x3)

Sen Roger C Chamberlain (R-38, Lino Lakes) (x3)

Rep Tony Cornish (R-23B, Vernon Center) (x2)

Sen Gary H Dahms (R-16, Redwood Falls) (x3)

Rep Kurt Daudt (R-31A, Crown) (x2)

Rep Gregory M Davids (R-28B, Preston) (x2)

Rep Matt Dean (R-38B, Dellwood) (x2)

Rep Bob Dettmer (R-39A, Forest Lake) (x2)

Rep Steve Drazkowski (R-21B, Mazeppa) (x2)

Rep Sondra Erickson (R-15A, Princeton) (x2)

Rep Dan Fabian (R-01A, Roseau)  (x2)

Sen Michelle L Fischbach (R-13, Paynesville) (x3)

Rep Mary Franson (R-08B, Alexandria) (x2)

Rep Patti Fritz (DFL-24B, Faribault)

Sen Paul E Gazelka (R-9, Nisswa) (x3)

Rep Steve Green (R-02B, Fosston)

Rep Glenn Gruenhagen (R-18B, Glencoe) (x2)

Rep Bob Gunther (R-23A, Fairmont) (x2)

Rep Tom Hackbarth (R-31B, Cedar) (x2)

Sen Dan D Hall (R-56, Burnsville) (x3)

Rep Rod Hamilton (R-22B, Mountain Lake) (x2)

Sen David W Hann (R-48, Eden Prairie) (x3)

Rep Jerry Hertaus (R-33A, Greenfield)

Rep Mary Liz Holberg (R-58A, Lakeville) (x2)

Rep Joe Hoppe (R-47B, Chaska) (x2)

Sen Karin Housley (R-39, Saint Mary's Point)

Rep Jeff Howe (R-13A, Rockville)

Sen Bill G Ingebrigtsen (R-8, Alexandria) (x3)

Rep Brian Johnson (R-32A, Cambridge)

Rep Tim Kelly (R-21A, Red Wing)

Rep Debra Kiel (R-01B, Crookston) (x3)

Sen Mary Kiffmeyer (R-30, Big Lake) (x2)

Sen Lyle J Koenen (DFL-17, Clara City) (x2)

Rep Ron Kresha (R-09B, Little Falls)

Rep Ernest G Leidiger (R-47A, Mayer) (x2)

Sen Warren E Limmer (R-34, Maple Grove) (x3)

Rep Kathy Lohmer (R-39B, Stillwater) (x2)

Rep Tara Kay Mack (R-57A, Apple Valley) (x2)

Rep Joe McDonald (R-29A, Delano) (x2)

Rep Denny McNamara (R-54B, Hastings) (x2)

Sen Jeremy R Miller (R-28, Winona) (x3)

Rep Pam Myhra (R-56A, Burnsville) (x2)

Sen Carla J Nelson (R-26, Rochester) (x3)

Rep Jim Newberger (R-15B, Becker)

Sen Scott J Newman (R-18, Hutchinson) (x3)

Sen Sean R Nienow (R-32, Cambridge) (x3)

Rep Bud Nornes (R-08A, Fergus Falls) (x2)

Rep Tim O'Driscoll (R-13B, Sartell) (x2)

Rep Marion O'Neill (R-29B, Buffalo)

Sen Julianne E Ortman (R-47, Chanhassen) (x3)

Sen David J Osmek (R-33, Mound) (x2)

Sen John C Pederson (R-14, Saint Cloud) (x3)

Rep Joyce Peppin (R-34A, Rogers) (x2)

Rep John Petersburg (R-24A, Waseca)

Sen Eric R Pratt (R-55, Prior Lake) (x2)

Rep Cindy Pugh (R-33B, Chanhassen)

Rep Duane Quam II (R-25A, Byron) (x2)

Sen Julie A Rosen (R-23, Fairmont) (x3)

Rep Linda Runbeck (R-38A, Circle Pines) (x2)

Sen Carrie L Ruud (R-10, Breezy Point) (x2)

Rep Tim A Sanders (R-37B, Blaine) (x2)

Rep Mary Sawatzky (DFL-17B, Willmar)

Rep Joe Schomacker (R-22A, Luverne) (x2)

Rep Peggy Scott (R-35B, Andover) (x2)

Sen David H Senjem (R-25, Rochester) (x3)

Sen Dan Sparks (DFL-27, Austin)

Sen LeRoy A Stumpf (DFL-1, Plummer) (x2)

Rep Chris Swedzinski (R-16A, Ghent) (x2)

Rep Tama Theis (R-14A, Saint Cloud)

Sen David A Thompson (R-58, Lakeville) (x3)

Rep Paul Torkelson (R-16B, Saint James) (x2)

Rep Mark Uglem (R-36A, Champlin)

Rep Dean Urdahl (R-18A, Grove City) (x2)

Sen Bill Weber (R-22, Luverne)

Sen Torrey N Westrom (R-12, Elbow Lake)

Rep Anna Wills (R-57B, Apple Valley)

Rep Kelby G Woodard (R-20A, Belle Plaine) (x2)

Rep Kurt Zellers (R-34B, Maple Grove) (x2)

Rep Nicholas Zerwas (R-30A, Elk River)

(x2) = Two time loser

(x3) = Three time loser (based on the Gazelka amendment vote - only Senators were eligible; it is unknown how Representatives would have voted if a similar amendment had been offered in the House)

Note: While every effort has been made to properly identify the guilty, errors may have occurred in transcribing the data found on the State of Minnesota web site. Please let me know if corrections need to be made.

White Supremacy Protection Amendment?

Kalley Yanta, as spokesperson for the misnamed “Minnesota for Marriage” organization is at it again.

In the third ad released as part of their marriage amendment “Vote Yes” campaign, I hear her saying:

“When equal rights for Negroes have been imposed elsewhere, it’s not been “live and let live.” People who believe that Negroes are inferior to Whites have faced consequences.

Small businesses fined. Individuals fired. Charities closed down. Churches sued. Negro equality being taught to young children in elementary school; with parents having no legal right to be notified, or to take their children out of class.

We can prevent this from happening here by voting yes on the White Supremacy Protection Amendment.”

Don’t those words sound ugly? For most Americans (but sadly not all) living in this century, the words are ugly.

Just as the words were ugly back then, they’re especially ugly now. They show how little we’ve progressed in over 200 years as a supposedly free nation, with equal rights for all.

To be sure, Ms. Yanta didn’t use the above words exactly. I like to translate outrageous political ads to reveal their true message.

Illegal discrimination is illegal discrimination – Period.

It just seems so very appropriate to point out how the hateful messages being delivered by Ms. Yanta sound so very similar to the hateful words used by Deep South bigots to oppose equal rights for Blacks. Most Americans (but sadly not all) now know that such ideas are wrong.

On their web site, the misnamed “Minnesota for Marriage” organization posted a convenient “fact sheet” to go along with their third ad. I downloaded a copy for review.

The problem with the ad, and the related “fact sheet,” is that both slant unrelated “facts” to support their agenda. A “no” vote on the marriage amendment will not legalize same-sex marriage – state law already prohibits it. And, a yes vote will not prevent the “consequences” they show in their ad from occurring, as the cases cited were not related to same-sex marriage. Rather, the “consequences” noted came from businesses ignoring existing anti-discrimination laws; and, an employee being fired after violating his employment agreement with a private employer.

In the case of the Catholic Church, they did shut down a couple of their adoption service businesses rather than agreeing to comply with existing laws. Same-sex marriage was not the issue. As was their right, the Church decided to quit that business, rather than to remain in it and obey existing laws.

In short, the ads we’ve seen so far from the misnamed, “Minnesota for Marriage” have been just as false and misleading as any of the ads we’ve seen during this political cycle. But then, I would expect that, as the politicians who voted to place this anti-equality amendment on the ballot did so not out of a love for Minnesota, or a love for our nation’s Constitution, but rather in an attempt to secure votes for themselves and their supposedly  “God fearing” political party, by going after a minority group. It’s just wrong on so many levels.  

If it were up to me, all Minnesotans who value the freedom and equality promised by our nation’s Constitution would vote against those politicians who would condone enshrining illegal discrimination in our state’s laws and Constitution, while also voting against the discriminatory amendment they promoted.

There should be consequences for those who attempt to take equal rights away from anyone to satisfy their own political agenda.

Illegal discrimination is illegal discrimination – Period.