YOUR COMMENTS

To all who believe that the voters should decide on the gay marriage issue:

Minority rights should not be decided by mob rule. The reason the legislature is the proper body to decide this question is to protect the minority rights of gay and lesbian people who wish to marry. Civil Unions vs Gay marriage make the relationship "separate but equal" and we all know that separate is NEVER equal.

I hope that our Legislators and Senators do the right thing and successfully negotiate a bill for gay marriage that the governor will sign into law.

Pat Kraft
- Patricia Kraft, Concord

What do I or anyone else for that matter care what other adults do? Does it directly affect your life? NO! Is it hurting anyone directly? NO!- Ryan, Manchester

...You could say the same thing about two brothers wanting to marry each other. Why not? What would it hurt? They wouldn't be hurting anyone. The truth is that the same rules that forbid siblings to marry each other are that same rules that forbid two men or two women from marrying each other. If you say yes to one you say yes to the other. Society has the right to declare and enforce its NORMS. Get over it Mary. Enjoy your life with whoever you choose in a civil union, and allow us to keep America intact. This country is the only thing standing between barbarism and civility. Remember this Mary..If we lose this country..you lose your protection to express your sexuality. This is the only place where you can outwardly express who you really are. Protect America and you protect yourselves.
- Fran Barnes, Manchester

Both the Governor & NH Gen court will fold like lawn chairs when their big out of state campaign contributors come calling. Put the gay marraige issue on the ballot.
- Mae, Plaistow

Of course he will not veto it. I like the governor but he is clearly trying to play both sides of the issue, then he'll sign the bill.
- Joe, Manchester

To Manchester Bill, I would if I could get the time off work. That's why we have the legisators we got, it's thier hobby.
- Dave, Ashalnd

I think what some people are afraid of is the simple fact that most gay marriages last longer than traditional ones. What do I or anyone else for that matter care what other adults do? Does it directly affect your life? NO! Is it hurting anyone directly? NO! Is it the fact that the traditional marriage has been watered down buy the skyrocketing divorce rate over the last 15 - 20 years and people are afraid to see a gay couple succeed?? Hmm maybe.
- Ryan, Manchester

Take back New Hampshire in 2010! Vote out all the Democrats and stop the madness!
- Peter, Brookline

Jess S in Amherst,
Suddenly, what I am really afraid of, is people like YOU who could be so ignorant and hateful to say that, religious people do not have the right freedom of speech, to say what on their minds and hearts, here in America. Our speech and our votes have EVERYTHING to do with our beliefs, religious or otherwise.

Regarding your other point that ‘marriage is not about what the Bible says’; It is a little offensive to me that you fail to clarify; American Civil Marriage has nothing to do with any religious texts, but Christian Religious Marriage has everything to do with the Bible. Right? But that doesn’t mean that American Civil Marriage laws can’t or shouldn’t reflect the moral sensibilities (whatever they are based on) of a super-majority of the population. If there is not a clear super-majority then a compromise solution (like Civil Unions) should reflect the moral sensibilities of both sides of the issue. Duh?

I forgive you. Hopefully you will be more careful with your words in the future.
- Jim, Manchester

Michelle in Pembroke,
You have to understand the difference between religious and civil marriage (between life and law). The former is your church/temple/synagogue ceremony, that says you are recognized by those in attendance as a couple, and your vow before God to life your life according to His guidance for husbands and wives. The later is a certificate from Town Hall that says the couple is recognized by the State and is eligible for certain legal rights and responsibilities.

I agree with what Eric in Manchester below says, but I’d even take in one step further. I don’t care if churches call their RELIGIOUS commitment ceremonies for homosexuals ‘weddings’ or ‘marriage’ (like the Episcopals have been doing for 20 years). I just won’t attend it. And I will not recognize an immoral relationship even if the State passes a law that makes that CIVIL relationship legal. My duty is to God first.

It IS NOT hatred or anger to oppose this gay CIVIL marriage law. It is self defense against a moral onslaught. It IS hatred and anger to try to force religious viewpoints out of civil society.
- Jim, Manchester

Here are Gov. Lynch's exact words:
“If the legislature passes this language, I will sign the same-sex marriage bill into law. If the legislature doesn’t pass these provisions, I will veto it."
The legislature didn't pass the language.
Anything a conference committee comes up with will be less than the full amendment the Senate passed (which was what the governor set as his minimum requirements.)
He has no choice but to veto this if he is to hold true to his word.
- Margaret Drye, Plainfield

to Bill from Manchester-
Right on! Somehow I feel that there will be less people interested in your proposal. A couple of things your posting forgot to mention. It's the "benefits" that come along with running.

Countless hate mail and e-mails, phone calls (at all hours), being targeted on opposition websites, and lots and lots of meetings, hearings, etc.

Oh yea, don't forget to tell them it's still $100 per year for compensation....

I know first hand- there's a State Rep. in my family.

All of these "benefits" will quickly reduce the candidate pool
- Sally M., Derry, NH

I am proposing a serious challenge to everyone out there who doesn't like what's happening in Concord. Run for State Representative! If you really want to return New Hampshire to it's roots and once again be the place everybody wanted to move to then do it!

Learn how to run at the NH SEcretary of State website:

http://www.sos.nh.gov/register%20and%20run.html
- Bill, Manchester

I am sick to death of this issue. Civil Unions are enough. I'm not a republican, by the way, I'm an Independent.
I want this vetoed and I want Lynch and others to pay attention to much more important issues.
I would applaud Lynch if he threw the whole thing out and said it would be on our next state-wide ballot and that the people should decide for once and for all in our state. Does he have power to do that? I hope so. These idiot who are in office need to know who is boss, we are the voters. We should be deciding not them.
- L Hemy, Plaistow

The message from NH Republicans is that we can only deal with one issue at once?

Did they even follow the 2008 election? John McCain "suspending" his campaign to focus on the economy, contrasted with Obama saying he could do both at the same time was the turning point in the election. McCain was grandstanding and the voters saw right through it. The only reason why Republicans are making this argument is because they have no legit reason to oppose marriage equality, and they know that the religious arguments aren't effective in NH like they are in the south/midwest.

If they really wanted to "put this issue behind us" they'd either vote for it or not stand in the way. To claim that the only way to move onto the budget is to veto the marriage bill is laughable.
- Dan, Manchester

Michelle in Pembroke:

This has been said by others before, and obviously it didn't get through to you, so I don't have a lot of hope it will be heard this time.

But anyway:

No one is saying people can't live however they choose, with whoever they choose.
No one is trying to 'decide for them'.
No one is saying they can't be happy.
No one is even saying (that I've seen, anyway) that the civil union law should be repealed.

All we're saying is, don't call it marriage, because it isn't.

Perhaps the best thing that could happen here, though the chances are vanishingly small, would be for the government to get out of the business of defining what marriage is. It really does not/should not have that power. 'Civil marriage' is NOT something that didn't exist until some bright bulb in the government thought of it - it's merely a codification of common law marriage (which, for hundreds of years at least, was--you guessed it--between one man and one woman).
- Eric, Manchester

Attn: John in Nashua -
Could I give you some good advice? I'd give some much more serious thought about what you "teach" your children. Remember, they will see references to "our" society - whether it be in person, in the media etc. What will you say then? What will you tell them when they ask about gay or lesbians? My God, could it be true that two people do love each other - that is, other than in your "framed world" which you are trying to live? I only caution you that as a parent myself, THEY will see the difference and as years go by, they'll be doing business transactions etc. with "us." And then, it is you that will be exposed to yes, your own children, as someone who misled them all along. There are very few areas of today's business world where the gay or lesbian sector is not involved in some ways. Yes, businessmen and women, doctors, lawyers, politicians and the list goes on and on.....take my advice John, don't make the same mistakes I made years ago. You will feel as bad as I do.
- Mike, Manchester

Hold on here - a couple of observations. Wasn't it the Republicans and the out of state religious-based funded interest groups that have kept attempting to put forward changes "they" wanted to HB436? And is it not them who are now claiming that these changes kept being made? Seems contradictory to me! Now, even after some Republicans voted for a Committee of Conference, there's a posse of Republicans grandstanding yesterday calling for things to just be put away. Can't they now allow the system to work itself, as they voted it? Wow...who is trying to rush something along here! I'm shocked at those "good Christian" Senators and House Members who made such a show in Concord yesterday. Will they stop at nothing?

Lastly, who the heck is Jeb Bradley siding on this isusue claiming that we ought to be dealing with the budget issue? Isn't he (at the very least!) partially responsible for the mess we are in? A word of advice Jeb, you, like the Diocese of Manchester, should stay out of this debate - your credibility is zero.
- JJ, Manchester, nh

Jake-Manchester. First of all woman were not first to vote over "negros". Woman were the last to be given the right to vote. Second of all "negros" and their civil rights? Everyone should be afforded their civil right. But if you are worried about who gets to vote and where it may have gone wrong, it was with letting anyone have the right to vote. The first voters were white men who own land. Maybe we should at least go bact to giving the right to vote to people who at least contribute to the taxes. Maybe we should just allow tax payers to vote.

I am tired of this debate over the right to marry. If two consenting adults want to get married, then let them. Other than that no one should have more rights over another, we should all get equal rights. If this group wants more rights than that should not be allowed. Equal rights is far different from special rights.
- k, hillsboro

This same-sex marriage issue has been a rushed and messy process in concord for months-- and its still confused and divisive, with nearly equal on both size. Enough. Let's all cool down and talk about this and get a solutoin that all feel comfortable with. The Governor can do it with a Veto and let the legislature get to other work.
- Susan Shapiro, Nashua

- ed, londonderry

You are absolutely right; however, none of the issues are relevant.

gay marriage, not relevant!

cell phone texting, not relevant!

seat belt "law," not relevant!

the economy... haven't heard much about that now have you? well, besides bailing out billionaires and giving tax payer money to fix the governor's mansion in TX! yeah, THAT'S helpful!
- scott, chichester

Unlike the Republicans, Democrats can deal with more than one issue at a time. It's true on the national level and on the state level. The gay marriage legislation will become law in NH and the state budget will be balanced. All of you right wingers keep criticizing the Democrats, it only unites us more.
- ed, londonderry

Governments job is not to condone one behavior over another.

The issue of legal protections for non traditional couples was addressed and solved when the bill re Civil Unions was passed.

Anyone that attempts to compare the Gay Marriage issue to Slavery is ignorant at best and really should look at the definition of Slavery and what it entailed throughout human history.

Veto the bill Gov Lynch
- Paul, Bradford

While we are at it let's propose legislation to return to slavery and re-enact the laws that forbid African Americans from marrying Anglo Saxons...

Come on People...While I don't appreciate the governor's strategy, maybe it helps him sleep at night, let's compromise and get this done-and move on to other issues....Civil Rights will never go away until the right outcome is achieved....We people who insist on civil rights and equal protection before the law are serious and dedicated.

And to the Union Leader, someday, I hope you will see the error of your bigoted ways! I had hope when the Loebs passed away, but I was wrong...so far and there is always hope...that or your paper will be bought up by some giant conglomerate-
- Brenda W, Strafford

NOT ALL Republicans march to the same drum. There are some of us, like Kyle of Manchester said, 'Not all Republicans... Speak for yourselves...'. Time for Republicans to demand those in Concord and in Congress get back to prinicpals that made our party what it was when it first started. Protect personal freedoms and liberties, Reduce big government and governmental regulations, show fiscal responsibility and promote equality for all.
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester

Wow, it just mesmerizes me at how evil people can be. Here we have a what may be a perfectly honest Christian woman, and she opens her mouth to say something so hateful and hurtful. Like it or not its "hate" your spouting. "Hate and anger" is what my Pastor tells me every Sunday to let go OF....You have to forgive the people in your life, and immediately forgive your self. Seriously If the issue of some one Else's relationship is affecting your life this much, than you don't have enough to be grateful for.
If you are truly grateful for your Life than WHY does it HURT SO MUCH, to let other people enjoy the time they have on this earth with whom ever they choose HOW EVER THEY CHOOSE TO LIVE IT? Its NOT OUR BUSINESS to DECIDE FOR THEM. They are NOT IN OUR HOME telling us how to live our lives, WHY IS IT OK TO BE IN THEIRS? Its NOT. we have to be grateful for what we have, and part of being grateful is is forgiving. If you are truly hurt by some ones decision to be with the one they love, then what does that say about your Love...? "I am not happy so why should he be? or why should she be?"` Grow up
- michelle, pembroke

First of all, let me be perfectly clear about this. In NO state have the people approved gay marriage. In every state where they have been given the chance, they have said NO to gay marriage. There's a reason for that. The only places where gay marriage is temporarily 'allowed' are where it has been forced on the people by their state court and/or legislature. Trust me, the minute the people of Iowa get the chance to vote on this issue, they will reject gay marriage. I hope the governor realizes this and stays the implementation of their court's decision. How dumb would it be for him to only allow these so-called marriages for a short time like they tried in California? That was totally ridiculous. The same with the people of Maine in their people's referendum.

In a short few days the California State Supreme Court is going to uphold our right to amend our state constitution to define marriage as being only between one man and one woman. I hope that gives the people of other states the courage to let their voices be heard. Given the chance, the people of Vermont and Connecticut and probably even Massachusetts will do the same. I am of the opinion that they will do this as soon as they possibly can - by electing state representatives who actually listen to the people instead of trying to force their own partisan political agenda on them.

I expect that Governor Lynch will veto this bill. I think he actually would like to be re-elected for yet another term, that is if he hasn't already blown it. He could rehabilitate his image by vetoing the bill. I hope he does. That would be the right thing for him to do. And I wish the House and Senate would have enough common sense and common decency to allow the people to vote on this issue rather than trying to force it on them against their will.
- Karen Grube, San Diego

Or he can just sign the bill. Move on.
- Tom Hadley, Madbury,NH

Bob Jean, I have no idea what planet you are from. I think you must be posting to get us Republicans all riled up. Clarification--Democrats are liberal--they are for abortion, spending on things that we don't need to support, and for gay marriage. If you take a look at what the US congress is up to--all liberal and social issues. Universal health care--that is ALL about big government. Gun control--big government. Our constitutional rights are at stake with this lovely US Congress. Lynch is a liberal--he voted to allow teen age girls NO consent from parents to get an abortion. Yet, to get an asprin in school, you need parental notification. He is no conservative. This issue just clarifies it. I am a Republican because Republicans generally stand up for tradional marriage and LIFE of the unborn. I may not agree 100% of the time with things that go on, but they are mostly right on. By the way, have you not read how much Obama is making our country go in debt? His debt has NOTHING to do with the Bush era. If there is a debt, you don't spend more. If you as a private citizen are in debt, do you put yourself further in debt by MORE spending? It is a no brainer. Big sigh to you Bob.
- Cathy, Manchester

I love how when an important issue comes up everyone falls back on their party lines. As an independent I honestly can't believe that OUR elected officials can't just put aside their differences about a less important issue to tackle a major one. If they knew that the budget was in such a bad shape why wasn't it first or why not just table the Marriage law until next session?
Also from reading the comments posted here I can only imagine what's happenning in the state house between the two parties. As for the supposed definition of marriage just remember fifty years ago the government still allowed states to BAN interracial marriages on religious grounds too we got passed it and the country didn't go into annarchy. We can survive this as well.
- Brian, Chester

30 times this reprobate idea has come before American voters and 30 times they said no. Caveat emptor, you deserve the government you elect.
- Greg Salts, Manchester

You want this to be fair, libbies?

Put it to public vote.

You won't, because you know it'd lose. Backlash is coming next year.
- Mike R., Bedford

Maybe that's why they're focusing on all this foolishness, so they don't have to deal with the budget! Oh, that's right, they decided to raise our taxes and make new ones as well to cover their uncontrollable spending habits. $100 a year for these clowns? What a ripoff!
- Bill, Manchester

Keith,

It's the gays that have a problem with the word "marriage". Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't they already allowed Civil Unions? That offered them the protections they desire. A bigger question to me: have gays ever heard the words "power of attorney", or "living will"? That would offer them all the protection they need when it comes to heirs of estates, etc...


Veto. Let the voters decide.
- DF, Candia

My goodness ... what kind of degenerates are you people? Two men = sodomy not marriage, two women = lesbians. Just because you liberals have no morals at all doesn't mean the rest of us don't. What is next on the agenda? Let's change the definition of father and mother right?
- David, Bedford

Why do they need to change the defenition of marriage? They get the same rights in a civil union, what more do you need? They fought for civil union, they got that, now they want more. Enough is enough when will it stop? Let's get back to the important issues like the budget and economy.
- John, Marlborough

The hatred of the gay radicals toward traditional American values never ends. It is more than visible in their hysterical tirades on the steps of the state house. They will never rest until every vestige of traditional America is ripped from the hearts of mainstream America. It is clearly pathological. I find it ironic that gays historically have lived and supported traditional America while still enjoying their lifestyle in private (yes that means in the closet) they always realized that the traditional America protected them from government sanctioned beatings and executions that take place in Islamic countries. Gay people have to understand that their cause has been hijacked by extremists. This small percentage of gay extremist anarchists are masochistic homosexuals that only see the selfishness of immediate gratification. They fail to see the big picture. Fellow homosexuals please take our community back from these radicals. They will destroy us all.
- Thomas Holmes, Concord, NH

michelle, pembroke -

Perhaps it should be made clear to you that no where in the US Constitution is the issue/idea of separation of church and state.

There is, however, the no establishment clause, which prohibits a state religion. They are not, however, the same.
- Susan, Concord

Why do all the social conservatives have problems with words? We make up the definitions change them over time depending on what we decide to call things. Is what you need an additional adjective like straight marriage or gay marriage would that make you feel better? Doesn’t that sound silly? And why don’t you understand all the benefits that come along with “the” word? No the federal government does not afford these rights but because they are wrong in my opinion dose not mean we should limit the rights of our minorities (and there is already a court case to challenge that). And that is what the social conservatives are doing deigning/limiting the right of a minority. You look pretty small to this old, white, straight, married 27 years, believe in God, fiscal conservative (fiscal conservative balance budget not just cut taxes) and some more adjectives if you want. And if you want some words that have changed meaning over time someone else can spend the days giving you the list.
- Keith, Sandown

Jake - Running the country into the ground? Surely you jest. When this president has HANDED without accountability, $14 TRILLION dollars to his banker buddies who met at Bilder meeting last week (Geithner and Rockefeller) to decide whether the peons would have to continue to suffer recession or not in their manipulated world, I don't think you have the right to talk about anyone else. Your president is bankrupting us on purpose on behalf of these elitist control freaks.

Maybe if you could SPELL dinosaurs, we might listen to you. Fiscal conservatism and national sovereignty is never the 'way of the dinosaurs' unless of course you are a global Marxist like Obama. And Lynch isn't helping with this huge deficit and cap and trade SCAM he's pushing on us.

Bob -- Lynch and smaller government? Wow your capacity to delude yourself is breathtaking. He just caused a $500 M deficit we've never had before because he raised the spending by 28% in two years. And it's the Dems passing hate crimes, food legislation and all sorts of other taxes and controls... get real!

Cathy - it is not backward to oppose affirmative action and that's all this is, using sexual preference to extort money out of other people.
- Sue, Manchester

It all started when we let women vote.......then the negros and their civil rights. Now it's the gays.......When o when will it ever just stop? Our forefathers are spinning in their graves.
- Jake, Manchester

I don't care what anybody calls this country.

Let's move on to more IMPORTANT ISSUES

I swear I can't wait till next election, I've got every time wasting, useless Politician on my radar.

I don't what party your in, your done in my world. Stop wasting TAXPAYER time and do something!!!!!!
- Harry, Atkinson

Republicans doubled our national debt during their most recent turn at power. George Bush, and the whole NH Republican delegation voted to do that. Now they want to use government to choose who can marry who.

Independent's just are not falling for it any more. Both Republicans and Democrats understood when Obama took over that the Republicans had botched things so bad during the Bush administration that we needed government stimulus.

Independents believe that stimulus should be short run. And the Democrats should beware about that. But for Republicans to pretend that they are not for big government, and more regulations, nothing makes that clearer than using government to choose who can marry who.

That's about as big government as you can get.

As a former Benson supporter I watched big government Republicans eat him alive, the same ones who comment in this article.

And now it's conservative Governor John Lynch who wants to keep government small enough that it will not choose anyone's marriage partner.

And the 17.5 percent increase that Republicans use to pretend that Lynch is spending wildly is a lie. It counts non-discretionary spending, much of it authorized by Republican controlled legislatures and Republican governors.

Republicans are big government trolls. They pretend to be for small government while they ram more and more and more government down our throats.

For Independent's it's once bitten, twice shy.

Republicans should show they are for smaller government. They should join conservative, small government advocate, Governor John Lynch in standing up to government when it gets soooo Republicanly big that it will choose anyone's mate.
- Bob Jean, Northwood, NH

for all you people out there sqauking about marriage being one man and one woman. Um, when Abraham married his SECOND wife Hagar, was he not married. or when Solomon had, what, like three hundred different wives and since he only lived to be about 100 or so years, I am sure some of them served concurrently!!! Was he not married? Marriage has NEVER been one and one woman. That is TODAY's INTERPETATION of the institution...much like marrying for love is a modern day interpetation of the instiution. Please get over the regilious excuses to deny others the dignity that is afforded every one else.

Also, in order to take seriously all these people harping about 'the sancity of marriage' um why are they not as gun-ho about divorce? that is a far greater threat to kids and the instution than gays can every be! !!

Pull the plank out of your own eye before you look to others!!!!!
- rickey williams, washington, dc

The USA is a constitutional republic which allows for the election of representatives (US House, US Senate, President, and VP) in the federal government ... in turn confirmed by each State's electoral college members. The terms "democracy" and "democratic majority" are among a number of terms used to further exaggerate the authority, legitimacy, and raw power frequently illegitimacy exercised by federal politicians and judges. The NH State Government is similarly corrupt.
- Mike Smith, Hampton, NH

Finally!
I honestly do not care if you pass it or veto--please just make a decision! Oh, and do not take a gutless approach of doing nothing (letting it pass w/o your signature). Then, get on with your most important job; OUR budget(every one of your constituants vs. select groups is affected).
- Brian, Manchester (currently Iraq)

Molly,

Quick correction. Marriage is a union between a white man and a white woman. Or... a black man and a black woman if we choose to allow the black to marry.......


Do you see our point...at all?
- Kyle, Manchester

I agree that it's time that the Governor just veto the bill.
The Democratically controlled house is willing to pander to anyone on any issue that will get them more votes. Never has this issue been more obvious than now.
It was easy to look up on the State of NH website how our State Reps voted, and how it passed the house.
It most likely because of some Reps not wanting the voters to know they were agains it just didn't vote. What great representation.
And not to let Governor Lynch off the hook, the people of NH have seen how he he changes his tune to be politically correct. I'm sure he's gaining fewer votes that he's losing.
Lastly IT IS time the legeslature spent time on the budget....and to fix it, not just play with it.
For too many years the House had had a a tax and spen attitude....the problem has been you spend more than you take in. You can bet that in this economy...WE ARE WATCHING NOW MORE THAN EVER.
For those that keep touting the constitution, and trying to tweek it to you own tune.....Get a life.
- Jack, the other Murphy, Manchester

I'm so tried of Dems and Reps bickering at each other. Neither of these parties are better than the other. You both blew it with spending. You both blew it with foreign policy. You both blew it with unconstituational police measures. And you both blow at preserving civil liberties. And instead of correcting ANY of your mistakes you both blame each other and act all high and mighty. Someone stop to think because it's getting so old.
- Kyle, Manchester

Need we be reminded of the founding fathers efforts to have the matters of church and state be kept seperate. Marriage is about love and commitment, not sexual preference or what the bible says. If you don't believe in it than don't do it. Everyone in our country is supposed to have the freedom to choose, with religious beliefs put aside. So the bigger question is - What are you really affraid of???
- Jess S, Amherst NH

Right on Keith! Bob Jean, Canada would love you... off you go now... and take Kyle and Jake from Manchester with you.

Have you guys been watching the pols? Obama is sinking faster than the Titanic, and his liberal government is imploding from within...

Repubs will be back easily in 2010... no sweat! ... and in 2012 - no more BO either!
- Marc, Weare

There is only one problem Marc. The republican party no longer believes in the ideals it was founded on. They may not create bigger government but they won't shrink it either. They may not raise taxes but then the democrats did that for them and they certainly won't get rid of taxes. Even those that are so pothetic it taxes you for dying or having the gaul to create a business and employ people.

Sorry but I've lost my faith but not my conservative values.
- Deb, Derry

Happiness? Have your happiness, call it what you want just don't muck with definitions of established words...marriage is one man one women. Go find another word.
- Molly SImson, Nashua

Amen to what Gene Chandler-R said, "...it is time to move on and dael with the budget of the state of NH." Enough already!
- Cathy, Manchester

Let the people vote on it, so far both Dem & Rep. don't represent their people wishes, soooooooo let the people decide!!!!
- George, Salem

Bob Jean in Northwood:

"Big government" is using political power to redefine an institution that has served the culture for hundreds of years. Even Machiavelli knew better than that; he advised princes who had just conquered another land to avoid changing their old laws and customs.

This is not a matter of remedying discrimination. What this bill does is like saying that not only must one-armed people not be discriminated against, everyone must also believe that they have two arms (or at least never breathe a word to the contrary).

But what does that matter to a government that has abolished natural law? As O'Brien says in Orwell's 1984, "If the Party wished it, I could float off the floor like a soap bubble."
- Eric, Manchester

This is ridiculous, that we are even still debating this issue. The constitution is supposed to guarantee every one the RIGHT, to worship, while at the same time separating Church and state. if two people whom ever they may be decide to "Marry" they are enacting their RIGHT to worship and none of us have the the right to stand in the way of that. There should be no need for an "affirmative" action type of law if we are Already following the Constitution. But apparently some people CANT follow the Constitution. So we have to make the Issue clearer. Switching the topic to the budget is not going to make the issue go away, it is just going to drag it out longer...And there is no need to have a "state wide vote" on the issue because I don't want any one telling ME who I can and cant MARRY. MY WHITE self and my BLACK husband are grateful to worship our love to OUR GOD, and like any other couple that is BETWEEN US AND OUR GOD. AS IT SHOULD ALSO BE BETWEEN EVERY ONE ELSE, with no interference.
- michelle, pembroke

Sorry Homosexuals. Not this tiime. Maybe you will get a shot at election time, but I doubt that too.
- John, Manchester

Right on Keith! Bob Jean, Canada would love you... off you go now... and take Kyle and Jake from Manchester with you.

Have you guys been watching the pols? Obama is sinking faster than the Titanic, and his liberal government is imploding from within...

Repubs will be back easily in 2010... no sweat! ... and in 2012 - no more BO either!
- Marc, Weare

- Bob Jean, Northwood, NH

You must be new here, so welcome to the united states.

If you believe that it's the republicans who want bigger government control, ask tipper gore about explicit lyrics. I guess you haven't heard about the strict gun control laws that the democrats want passed. What about "violent" video games that the democrats seem to have a problem with, too.

Get an education about the demon party before you spew your ignorance.
- scott, chichester

Bob Jean, what are you smoking out there in Northwood? John Lynch is the true conservative in Concord, and the Republicans are big government?!?!?!?!? The Dems took over the legislature, passed a 17.5% tax increase, and added a whole boatload of regulations on individuals and businesses... and your guy Lynch signed them. Placing our state in a half-billion dollar deficit.

If what you said was true, I'd be a Democrat. It couldn't be more wrong, so I'm a Republican. I don't agree with the Republican leadership all of the time - especially the national leadership - but here in NH the difference is crystal clear.
- Keith Murphy, Manchester

All of a sudden, some one remembers the budget ? Both sides have been argueing about everything since day one. The budget should have been #1 on that list, with unemployment and health #2, and education being #3.
Instead we get the bathroom bill, same sex marriage, dealership protection, horses, texting, let's not forget the old man in the mts.
Why is it so difficult for our elected officials to stay in our country and solve our problems. Why are we still handing out billions of dollars for aid, when our country is in need.
- Craig McIntosh, Allenstown

In the states where it has passed - there certainly doesn't seem to have created the downfall of society that the GOP and Catholic Church insists is imminent. The only thing you hear is the hardcore few yelling about how abhorrant the thought of it is - and even that is becoming more quiet.

Live and let live - everyone deserves happiness.
- Frank, Dover

If Republicans really think this should be put aside to focus on the budget then they should all either vote in favor of it, or all abstain and let it pass. This isn't going away until its signed into law.
- Brian, Manchester

Actually Scott, the United States is a Constitutional Republic.

Our Founders went to great lengths to limit Democratic institutions as they have universally and inevitably lead to Oligarchies and Tyranny.

There is not a single Federal or State Constitution that makes any reference to Democracy but a great many make reference to the small "r" republican form of government.

Democracy is after all by definition the rule by 50% +1 or in other words "Mob Rule".
- JP, Warner

I, for one, wish the Republicans could come up with a Libertarian candidate. Why oh, why must being a Republican mean you are a social conservative? With all the independent voters in NH a Libertarian would be a shoe in. Electing Sununu the elder to head things up is like having Sarah Palin as your spokesperson...entertaining but backwards.
- Cathy McDonald, Derry

Frank our country is not a democracy and it is not majority rule. It is a Constitutional Republic where everyone is guarenteed their rights.
- Kyle, Manchester

We were all knew that the liberals sanctioning of civil union relationships would lead to easing the homosexual marriage issue. We were told then that it would not. We were lied to by these people.

Calling the relationship between two homosexuals a marriage does not necessarily make it so. Everyone knows what marriage is or is not. This is just like the hijacking of the word gay to mean homosexual. The state can call it whatever they want as far as I am concerned. It has no effect on me or my family or my religious convictions. I know what a real marriage is and is not and I will teach this to my children.
- John, Nashua

The legislatures', past governors', and NH Supreme Courts' actions in regards to marriage in recent decades have been among the most fiscally irrational, child-endangering, and anti-constitutional acts that could have occurred. 'No-fault' divorce has been an unqualified human and fiscal disaster, especially for NH children, placing them in single-parenting/foster care situations most likely to demand State funding; causing 100's of times more likely adverse outcomes and deaths; and. frankly denying the typically involved men anything resembling equal rights in the face of a hostile woman. The fiscal cost has probably been in the HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS or even BILLIONS in today's NH tax dollars. Marriage needs to be increased in value not further diminished Sen. Chandler.
- Mike Smith, Hampton, NH

Veto. Move on. NOW!
- Tom, Campton

For clarity - the United States is not and never was a democracy. It is a democratic republic. There is a difference.
- Scott, White Horse Beach, MA

Republicans have become the big government, anti-freedom, party. They love more and more and more government, so much that they want government to decide our marriage partners.

And lets not forget, when Craig Benson wanted smaller government, and vetoed the bloated Republican Legislature's budget to try and get a smaller one, it was the big government Republicans quoted in this article that fought him every step of the way. They were thirsty then for more and bigger government, and they are thirsty now for more and more government.

Republicans are not fooling anyone. They love government, and more and more and more regulations.

They are soooo liberal, they endorse using bigger government for social engineering and picking people's mates.

Governor Lynch is the true conservative in Concord. He wants smaller government, and even though he disagrees with same sex marriage, he is not willing to use big government to oppose freedom.
- Bob Jean, Northwood, NH

Government for the people by the people? Now that they can't come to an agreement on it they will allow us citizens to vote on it? It should have been like that in the first place.
This debate is ridiculous anyways it is not the Governments role to dictate who can get married in a particular church or not, or who can marry who at all. If the majority wants it or doesnt want it that i what democracy is all about is it not?
Besides a church that does not want to marry people is not required to do so.
- Frank, Manchester

After running the country into the ground suddenly the repubes want to deal with a budget? It's easy to see why the GOP is going the way of the dinasaurs. Who really cares what these idiots think.
- Jake, Manchester

Amen and amen.
- Lynn, Bpw

Excuse Me?!

Not all Republicans... Speak for yourselves
- Kyle, Manchetser