Where is the tea party when you need it? Do these people really want to fight dictatorial government? Do “power to the people” and “liberty for all” mean anything to them?

The tea party claims to be against intrusive and overly regulated government.

Where is the anger and energy in opposition to Amendment One?

Isn’t the tea party all about getting the government out of our face? I hope the tea party isn’t just a shill for the Republican legislators in Raleigh. What a pity that would be, but as they seem to support Amendment One, which is as intrusive into private matters as it gets, they must be.

I thought they wanted “Big Brother” out. Oh well, and just when they might have done something useful.

Here is how the amendment reads:

“Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.”

Why is this even an issue? Disallowing any two adults from living together legally, except as married people, is absurd — especially if the state decides who is able to marry. Will there be an amendment next year restricting the right of a Catholic to marry a Baptist, or a Jew? Do we bring back the old laws disallowing marriage between blacks and whites? If not, why not?

North Carolina has had these laws on the books in the past. They were bad laws then. They are no better now. Unless “by the people, for the people” and “justice for all” are just quaint words recited as schoolchildren and ignored as adults, we should leave the state constitution alone and work toward bringing people together.

Let’s make North Carolina a better place to live, work and raise our families.

Vote against Amendment One.

Dawn Penfold

Southern Pines