Let’s hope Branstad doesn’t wimp out again

This same-sex marriage thing is getting out of hand. Now Bob Vander Plaats wants to force the four remaining Iowa Supreme Court justices to resign. If he succeeds in this, the next thing on his agenda will be to round up all gays, herd them into a closet, lock them up and throw away the key.

Need I remind anyone that justice Mark Cady, who wrote the same-sex marriage opinion, was appointed to the court in 1998 by Gov. Terry Branstad, and that Marsha Ternus, a Vinton native, the current chief justice, was in 1993 also appointed to the court by Gov. Branstad? So if anyone thinks these two Branstad appointees are ultra-liberal, activist judges, they have only Branstad to blame.

Isn't it more likely that they are both conservatives? That they considered the merits of the case, gave it much thought, knowing the right decision would not be popular, but courageously made the decision they thought was right?

Before the election, former Republican Gov. Robert Ray spoke up, saying a no vote on the retention of the justices would be a mistake.

Branstad, as a candidate for re-election in November, wimped out, saying nothing in support of his appointees. I hope he doesn't wimp out on his campaign promise to give all Iowans a 25 percent increase in income. We Social Security recipients didn't get a cost of living increase for 2011.

The separation of powers of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of our government was written into the U.S. Constitution by the Founding Fathers for reason. The independence of the judicial branch is vital for our democracy.

Ron Parizek

Dysart