'A modest proposal' on the topic of marriage

With acceptance of same-sex marriages in our nation as law, it is high time for an examination of our other mistakes with marriage over the years. Over 150 years ago, our federal government outlawed the marriage of men to more than one wife. It was primarily aimed at the Church of Latter-Day Saints, who remain some of our finest citizens. Mitt Romney is an example, a person who may be president someday. He is Mormon, and bares the burden of not being able to practice his faith as originally intended. The short-sighted legislators of our federal government have overlooked this inequity.

Likewise, if we can’t legally restrict sexual definitions upon partners, no matter how unpopular that may be, we need to examine what we also do to orthodox Islamic-Americans. The Islamic faith also permits four wives for any practicing Muslim thoughout the world, but not in America. Muhammad Ali, one of our greatest American boxers, was forced to submit to being married to only one wife. Does that sound fair?

The abridgement of freedom for particular groups is, by definition, not equality. It is the height of hypocrisy. Equality under law demands restoration of multiple spouses to both Mormons and Muslim-Americans. I appeal to the common sense of Montanans who have long been scratching their heads as to what the hell is happening to this country. 

Obama allows gays to be married in our military, yet refuses to acknowledge multiple spouses. It appears to be a “Jim Crow” law, imposed by Obama against Muslim-Americans, as well as Mormons. Come on, let’s be reasonable. If it doesn’t matter what sex the couple is, why should it matter how many are getting married? What’s good for the goose is good for the gander — or maybe another goose. —Mike Donohue, Kalispell