Proof that down-ballot races do matter was recently provided in Virginia, the “Old Dominion,” as new state Attorney General Mark Herring announced he will violate his own oath of office, and the will of the people, less than a month into his first term. Attorney General Herring was elected last November by a less than 1,000 vote margin in a state of 8.2 million, but his recent decision will overturn the will of millions of Virginians. The state of Virginia has in place a constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage, which, like our own amendment here in South Carolina, was passed in 2006. Over 57% of Virginians voted for this amendment, and yet the will of one man will drown-out the voice of millions. I suppose the new motto of the Democratic Party is “democracy be damned when we don’t agree.”
Attorney General Herring’s immediate predecessor, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II, fought challenges to the Old Dominion’s constitutional amendment on marriage his entire term in office. Understanding that he was bound by his oath to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia,” he did not presume to change duly passed law with the stroke of his pen. Nevertheless, as soon as the swearing-in was over, AG Herring set about remaking the Virginia constitution in his own image, claiming that “There have been times in some key landmark cases where Virginia was on the wrong side, was on the wrong side of history and on the wrong side of the law. And as attorney general, I’m going to make sure that the [people] presenting the state’s legal position on behalf of the people of Virginia are on the right side of history and on the right side of the law.” So, in the mind of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s top law enforcement officer the best way to be on the “right side of the law” is to violate it altogether? I bet he wouldn’t apply that same logic to murder, rape, or speeding tickets.
The lawless arrogance of the American Left is stunningly displayed in Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring’s recent actions. If he believes the constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in Viriginia should be repealed, he should urge the legislature to call for a ballot referendum and leave the issue to the people, just as natural-marriage advocates did back in 2006. Instead, fully displaying the arrogance of the Left, he presumes to speak on behalf of the people while drowning out their voices. The law in Virginia doesn’t request that the commonwealth’s Attorney General defend the constitutional amendment, it requires it. For an attorney general to defy the very law he is sworn to defend is ground for impeachment by the state legislature, and the Virginia House of Delegates should get to it straight away.
Thank goodness that here in South Carolina we still believe in the rule of law, and we have a great Attorney General in Alan Wilson who fully understands the duty incumbent in his oath of office. SC Attorney General Wilson has fought tirelessly on behalf of the people of our great state, and he has defended our will with regard to marriage and the family. In light of the new state of lawlessness in the Old Dominion of Virginia, let’s call our own state Attorney General and tell him thanks for standing for the rule of law. Oh, and while you’re at it, call your friends in Virginia and remind them that their state motto is “Sic Semper Tyrannis,” or “thus always to tyrants.” Virginians put AG Herring in the unemployment line!
[sermons id=451]
