Appalled by LD 1196

This letter is in response to the one submitted by Sandra Wilborn of Bangor (BDN, April 2-3). It is worth pointing out that not all people who oppose LD 1196 “want to be free to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation.” I have no desire to discriminate against anyone for any reason, and I was still appalled to see Gov. Baldacci pass this bill.

If the Christian Civic League is successful and LD 1196 becomes a referendum, democracy will finally be served. The CCL’s objective is not to spew hatred – it is to rightly turn the process over to the people; an action the governor should have done. If you want to elaborate on misleading objectives maybe you should take a peek at Equality Maine’s manipulation of our political system. They have managed to get a bill rapidly passed against the apparent will of the people.

Equality Maine, the governor and any senator or representative who voted for this bill are degrading democracy and ignoring the very people who voted them into office. You shouldn’t just “live life happily ever after” because you happen to agree with the bill that was passed without your consent. You can continue to shut your eyes or you can open them and realize the governor’s actions have set a precedent stating that it’s OK to pass legislation that directly defies past referendum results.

I don’t care if you’re a Christian, an atheist, a homosexual, a heterosexual, a business owner, an employee or a circus clown. If you’re an American and you believe in democratic ideals you had better hope the Christian Civic League commits to the duty our politicians neglected – upholding a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Mary Dinsmore

Bangor