It appears that government for the people, by the people and of the people is not alive and well in our great state. Joe Hackney, N.C. House speaker, and Marc Basnight, leader of the N.C. Senate, have decided they (two people) do not want us who vote (numbering in the millions) to have a say about marriage in this state.

Senate Bill S13, a proposed marriage amendment to the state Constitution submitted on Jan. 24, 2007, says that marriage between one man and one woman at one time is the only marriage or union that shall be valid in this state.

On Feb. 12, 2007, President Pro Tem Basnight referred the bill to the Ways and Means Committee -- a committee that hasn't met in five and a half years. On May 14 this year, Senate Bill 1608 (another proposed marriage amendment) was filed. The very next day, it, too, was sent to the inactive Ways and Means Committee.

And on the House side, Hackney is being true to his word to kill a marriage amendment bill. "I said at the beginning of the session that we will control the agenda, and that's what we will do," the Orange County Democrat said in The News & Observer of Raleigh.

House Bill 493 on marriage is languishing in the House Judiciary Committee. Hackney refuses to let the bill reach the House floor for a vote, although the measure is sponsored by 64 members (a majority) of the House.

Contact representatives and demand a vote by the people on the proposed amendment.

Angus McLeod

West End