CAPTIMES PRAISES MANSKI: ‘No rational basis for enforcing marriage inequality’

The U.S. District Court’s decision to toss out California’s discriminatory Proposition 8 has definitely made the whole issue of marriage equality a part of the 2010 political debate.

But for the most part Wisconsin pols were slow to react.

The striking exception was 77th District Assembly candidate Ben Manski, a lawyer with extensive experience working on constitutional issues.

He was out with a statement within hours of the decision.

Manski’s take: “With this decision, the tide has turned. California’s Northern District obliterated any claim that any government enjoys a rational basis for enforcing marriage inequality. As Madison’s newest representative, I will build on this momentum by advancing an Equal Rights Amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution.”

Manski, the executive director of the Liberty Tree Foundation and a Green candidate in this fall’s election, added: “I just read Judge Walker’s ruling. This was rightly decided, and as importantly, it was decided on the right basis. This is how federalism is supposed to work. Fundamental human and civil rights are universal, and guaranteed at the highest levels of government; states and localities may go above the floor set by our national Constitution, but not below it.”

Manski’s points are spot on.

Wisconsin should be in the forefront of fighting discrimination. And denying loving couples the right to marry is discrimination.

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