The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Your View

October 3, 2012

Your View: Voting ‘no’ grounded in Republican history, Lincoln’s wisdom

Jody Swanson, Mankato

As a Republican, I value limited, sensible government, personal responsibility and freedom for all. On Nov. 6, those guiding principles compel me to vote “no” on the proposed marriage limiting constitutional amendment. I believe voting “no” is grounded in Republican history and President Lincoln’s wisdom.

Did you know the Republican Party was founded in 1854 by anti-slavery activists, the one cause they all believed in? On Nov. 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln, was successfully elected the first Republican president of the United States. This self-made man was born in a log cabin, had little formal education, yet was one of our greatest presidents.

Shortly before Lincoln took the presidential oath of office in 1861, as a freedom protector, he argued the Declaration of Independence of 1776, “gave promise that in due time the weights should be lifted from the shoulders of all men, and that all should have an equal chance.”

Lincoln and his fellow Republicans believed in liberty for all. They were progressive forward-thinking men. Our 16th president knew the country had to move forward, looking to the future, not backward. If Lincoln were alive today, I believe his moderate views would have evolved to champion equal rights for all citizens regardless of their sexual orientation.

The proposed marriage limiting amendment would radically hard code gay and lesbian discrimination into our Minnesota Constitution. To do so would assault Lincoln’s vision.

On Nov. 6, the 152nd anniversary to the day of Lincoln’s U.S. presidential election, I, a Log Cabin Republican, will vote “no” on the marriage limiting constitutional amendment.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Your View
  • Local water decisions were foolish

    May 24, 2013

  • mfp jentgesmug Many counter-argue global warming

    Like Leigh Pomeroy (Act now on Earth Day, April 27) I try to do what I can as an individual to protect the environment, and encourage others to do likewise.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • mfp maertens mug Republicans natter about 'I' word

    Mitt Romney first politicized the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, only hours after the event, by claiming the president sympathized with terrorists

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • mfp yezzimug ACA benefits ignored by writer

    Bob Jentges’ May 8 My View strikes me as being like a football coach trying to frighten players into quitting when the game has barely begun. His wholly negative piece reads like a catalog of scare tactics.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Apology in abuse case was not accepted

    I am the mother of the victim in the Miguel Beltran child abuse case. I would like to clarify one thing in regards to the recent article that was printed.

    May 21, 2013

  • Highway cleanup crews priceless at 100 degrees As I was driving home from work in the late afternoon on the first 100 degree spring day, I saw, proudly wearing their bright, neon green safety vests and picking up garbage in the ditches, were the Adopt a Highway volunteer crews. When I honked my h

    May 19, 2013

  • mfp dekruifmug DFL budget leaves out reform The 2013 Minnesota Legislature started facing a projected budget shortfall of $635 million and by state mandate must balance the budget. The new DFL controlled government has a "fix" for this shortfall; raising taxes and fees for all Minnesotans by a

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Bell of Honor sign of respect for heroes Recently, I had the opportunity to go to the North Mankato Funeral Home for David Sandmeyer's military visitation. It was a very moving experience. Sandmeyer was the young man who was a 21-year-old Marine from Mankato. He was stationed in North Carol

    May 18, 2013

  • MSU falls while coach Hoffner will win again Attention MSU Alumni You and I have just learned of the decision that the Minnesota State University leadership, i.e. Dr. Davenport, Mr. Kevin Buisman (and probably others) have made concerning Todd Hoffner, the former MSU Football Coach. This firing

    May 17, 2013

  • Minnesota deserves lawmakers with a clue Our senators, Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken were part of a group to vote for and pass Obamacare. You know the overwhelming law that the Democratic leadership (Reid and Pelosi) said you'll have to pass it to find out what's in it. Exactly what they did

    May 17, 2013