Why amend the Constitution to ban gay marriage? The state Legislature wants it, President Bush called for it, and the Deseret Morning News editorial page endorses the idea. We need a constitutional amendment. The trouble is, it's the wrong one. The marriage amendment treats a symptom, not the problem.
Five justices rule America. The courts have usurped the powers of the legislative and executive branches.
Hence, I support a constitutional amendment that would rein in the runaway judicial branch, return the checks and put the balance back in government. Such an amendment should make judicial decisions apply only to the case at bar. That would mean becoming a civil law code country like most other nations. This change should apply to state as well as federal courts. Federal judges and justices should be made more accountable by setting term limits of, say, 12 years, subject to reconfirmation at the end of that term.
Let's treat the problem, not just the latest symptom.
Clark Larsen
Holladay