MN Senator Norm Coleman's Staff does not read their emails

[Nobody]

This is posted by permission from the person it happened to. You really can't make this shit up. It has already been spilled to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The guy in the newsroom laughed out loud.

The letter sent to Norm Coleman:

Throughout American history, the Constitution has been amended to expand and protect the rights and liberties of the American people. It has been amended to abolish slavery, and give women and young people the right to vote. It should not be used to single out some Americans for discrimination. Amending the Constitution is very rare and is only done to address great public policy need. In our Constitution's 218 year history, it was first amended to include the Bill of Rights in 1791. Since then, it has only been amended 17 times.

Further, this amendment would do real harm to same-sex couples and their children, who already do not enjoy the vast majority of benefits and protections that married couples enjoy, such as hospital visitation rights, inheritance rights and health care benefits. There is nothing pro-family about that.

Given the war in Iraq, the corruption in Washington and the economy, this is not what Congress should be focusing on. I urge you to listen to how these discriminatory measures impact real families and oppose any efforts to alter our Constitution. I look forward to receiving your response.

The response from Norm Coleman's office:

Dear XXXXXXX:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding the Marriage Protection Amendment (S.J. Res. 1).

You will be pleased to know that I share your view that marriage is intended to be between one man and one woman. I support a constitutional amendment that would constitutionalize the Defense of Marriage Act, ensuring that the citizens of a state, through their legislature, have the right to define marriage as they see fit. Moreover, I believe that state legislatures and citizens, not activist judges, should determine what constitutes a marriage.

The Marriage Protection Amendment was introduced on January 24, 2005, by Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO) and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary where it was reported favorably by the Constitution Subcommittee on November 9, 2005. This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment holding that only marriages between men and women will be recognized as legal marriages in the United States . In addition, this resolution would prohibit any state or federal laws that seek to confer marital status to unmarried couples or groups.

My two chief concerns about this particular resolution are that the language may to go beyond the issue of defining marriage and into other matters like employer-provided health care programs, for example, and that it substitutes the judgment citizens of each state should make through their legislatures. While this right is protected by current Federal law, recent court rulings suggest that a constitutional amendment may be necessary. As you know, the Defense of Marriage Act passed the House and Senate by overwhelming, bipartisan majorities, 342 - 67 in the House and 85 - 14 in the Senate.

You will be pleased to know that on July 14, 2004, I voted to end a filibuster and allow an up or down vote on this issue. While that procedural vote failed 48-50, Majority Leader Frist has expressed interest in bringing this legislation to the floor this summer. I will keep your views in mind as we once again take up this issue in the Senate.

I am humbled to serve as your Senator, and hope you will not hesitate to contact me on any issue of concern to you or your family.

Sincerely,
Norm Coleman
United States Senate

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Once again I say: You can't make this shit up!