Two of the most fundamental rights that form our democracy are violated by not allowing homosexual marriages: equal representation and acceptance of all. Our country boasts about having equal representation but does a poor job of properly and fairly providing it. We also claim to accept diverse ideas and ways of life but are quick to desire restrictions to be put on them if they are different then how we, personally, would live. This whole controversy developed because of our tendency to interchange ethics and morals. The two are not interchangeable! One cannot look at our constitution from a moral perspective and express a fair judgement of what it says. The only way to deal with the issue of same-sex marriages is from an ethical stand point. Ones must ask and honestly evaluate the question "Is it ethical to not allow two people to get married?". If the answer is no, then progress can be made. Only when everyone can agree that it is unethical to not allow the legal union of two people can we come to a fair and proper solution. It is time for the hypocrisy of our nation to stop and for all freedoms we have been promised to be carried out to the full extent. .
"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent and unalienable rights: that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." (Jefferson 369). This excerpt from the "Declaration of Independence" (1776) is the basis of our democracy. It has kept our country strong in the past and it will continue to do so in the future. However, the very thing that has been our stronghold appears to be the very center of this controversy of homosexual marriages. By definition, a democracy is basically a form of government that allows its citizens to have a voice through officials elected by the people. Not only is the idea of the pursuit of happiness not being carried out but the very definition of our government is being contradicted.
