The recent announcement by Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane that she would not defend the state in a federal lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on same-sex marriage has raised interesting questions about whether she is in violation of the State Constitution and her oath of office.  The very recent announcement by Montgomery County Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes that he would issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples has done the same thing.

        Whether we agree with the law or not, it is the law.  It is our responsibility to abide by it or work to change it.  This recent descend into denial or disregard of the law by some elected Pennsylvania officials has taken us another step closer to anarchy.  Their actions put the taxpayer at risk of paying for even more lawsuits against a state that can’t fix its bridges or properly educate all its children.

        What has either Kane or Hanes done to work towards changing the law?  It’s easy to say, “I’m not going to follow the law; I’m just going to ignore it because I don’t agree with it.”  It is nothing but political “lip-service.”  You might win points for an upcoming election, but putting your clout to work to actually change the law would benefit far more people than the votes you seek.

        Whether you agree or disagree with the law, contact your State Legislator and let them know. Circulate petitions and present the signed manifestos to them.  If you fear that they won’t respond to the wishes of the masses, do it publically.  There’s nothing like a photo or news story reporting a document with 2,500 or so signatures, supporting a position, being handed to an elected official as evidence of your sincerity and the official’s concern for their constituents.  A little publicity goes a long way – ask Kane or Hanes.

        Below are the names, addresses and phone numbers of State Senators and Representatives in our readership area.  Contact them and let them know how you feel about same-sex marriage and the law.  Stand for what you believe in or sit down and let others make the decisions for you.  Don’t break the law; obey it or work to change it.

        Officials, on both sides of the issue, must stop exposing Pennsylvania taxpayers to more lawsuits that they can’t afford and maybe really don’t want.

        Senator Bob Mensch  24th District - 404 Main Street, Suite A Pennsburg, PA 18073, Phone (215) 541-2388; Senator Judith Schwank 11th District - 1940 North 13th Street Suite 232, Reading, PA 19604, Phone (610) 929-2151; Hon. Marcy Toepel 147th District - 80 Gravel Hill Pike, Unit A, Red Hill, PA 18076, Phone (215) 679-3082; Hon. Paul I. Clymer 145th District - 311 North 7th Street, Perkasie, PA 18944, Phone (215) 257-0279; Hon. Matthew D. Bradford 70th District - Intersection of Bustard Road and Skippack Pike 2000 Bustard Road Suite 6, PO Box 116, Cedars, PA 19423, Phone (610) 222-3490; Hon. Ryan E. Mackenzie 134th District - 1245 Chestnut Street Unit 5, Emmaus, PA 18049-1919, Phone (610) 965-9933; Hon. Justin J. Simmons 131st District - 21 N. Main Street Unit 9, Coopersburg, PA 18036, Phone (610) 282-3901; Hon. Mark Painter 146th District - 600 Heritage Drive, Suite 102, Adjacent to High Street, Sanatoga, PA 19464, Phone (610) 326-9563.