one man, one vote

The Christian Right is trying to spin the legalization of gay marriage in Vermont by saying it was done “by one vote!” Oh my God, a single person compelled the people of Vermont to accept gay marriage! Such power should not be vested in the hands of a single human being!

Of course, the Christian Right’s spin is not quite accurate. That “one vote” was actually part of a veto override, which required a two-thirds majority of legislators to pass. So it was more like 123 votes to 54. Of course, that doesn’t work up the loons who frequent One News Now and Wingnutdaily well enough, and the Christian Right wouldn’t know how to react if they couldn’t lie about it.

What the Christian Right doesn’t mention, though, is that the state legislature originally passed this legislation by an overwhelming majority. It was the Republican governor of Vermont, Jim Douglas, who attempted to strike it down with a veto. Gosh, that’s almost like a single vote. A single person, overwhelming the will of the majority! Such power should not be vested in the hands of a single human being!

Well, not unless he’s on our side, anyway.