Belief in civil rights makes America great

Larry O’Neill mistakenly believes that “might makes right” (Fence Post, June 18). Not so in a democracy. No matter what percentage of Americans think homosexuality is “morally wrong,” they do not have the right to deny gays and lesbians their human rights. Less than 50 years ago interracial marriage was illegal because the majority of Americans found this morally objectionable. More than a few Americans still do, but the Constitution has prevailed.

O’Neill says those who oppose civil unions do so not out of bigotry but after “carefully thinking through the implications for our country and culture.” The only thing the most vocal opponents and self-appointed “role models” for traditional marriage have thought through is how attacking civil unions distracts public attention from their own philandering, which they arrogantly believed could go unchallenged forever. This is true for Newt Gingrich on the right and John Edwards on the left.

Why does the media not explain that heterosexual marriage is one of the main reasons for America’s greatness? O’Neill asks. Because it isn’t. What makes America great is our core belief that all men are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights to be protected, not defined and limited, by the government. Promoting tolerance and celebrating diversity is what makes us great.

Sheryl Jedlinski

Palatine