THE FAMILY FOUNDATION

Last year, the Kentucky citizenry, in an unprecedented, way established its will that the institution of marriage was not to be redefined or altered. Will that same citizenry continue in its constitutional and God-given duty of governing?

The conviction and passion Kentuckians demonstrated for marriage was evidenced during the 2004 session when citizens were relentless with phone calls, emails, and visits to the Capitol until the state constitutional amendment protecting marriage was placed on the ballot by legislators. Then, during the Nov. 2 election they turned out in record numbers, establishing a 75 to 25 percent margin of victory.

But that is only a small part of the story. Not only was the percentage for ratification of the amendment huge, the actual vote numbers were record-breaking — more citizens voted "Yes to protect marriage" than had ever voted "yes" *and* "no" *combined* on any other constitutional amendment in Kentucky history.

And yet even that is not the end of it. Ultimate victory was accomplished with those working to protect marriage being outspent 4 to 1 by same-sex marriage advocates. According to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance website, all of the groups working to protect marriage spent a total of only $104,885.67, while the "Vote NO" group spent $469,411.62 in its losing effort.

Yes, it’s good that marriage is protected. And, yes, it’s good that Kentuckians were passionate about it. But the question ultimately is this: Are we as Kentuckians only going to do our civic duty when we are "passionately motivated" to do so, OR are we going to do our duty of being involved because it’s our responsibility?

Currently, America’s military personnel in Iraq do their duty daily whether they feel like it or not. Even the Iraqi people — at least about 60 percent of those eligible — did their duty to vote on January 31 at risk of life and limb. And yet legislators will still tell you today that if they receive 10 calls — TEN CALLS! — on any piece of legislation, they believe that citizens back home must be "very concerned."

Let’s simply recognize our God-given, Founding Father-inspired role of citizen involvement . . . and then do it!

Certainly, with issues like expanded gambling, The Protection of Embryonic Human Life Act and The Public Decency Act on the table, we must be able to find some conviction. . . or at least *some opinion*.

Let your conviction or opinion fly! Kentucky can lead this nation. *YOU* can be a part of making history and more importantly, you can set an example for your children and grandchildren.

We’ve got about three weeks left in this session. Set aside a few minutes and make a difference.
Key Family Foundation Contacts: Kent Ostrander , Executive Director Martin Cothran , Senior Associate Policy Analyst

Last year, the Kentucky citizenry, in an unprecedented, way established its will that the institution of marriage was not to be redefined or altered. Will that same citizenry continue in its constitutional and God-given duty of governing?

The conviction and passion Kentuckians demonstrated for marriage was evidenced during the 2004 session when citizens were relentless with phone calls, emails, and visits to the Capitol until the state constitutional amendment protecting marriage was placed on the ballot by legislators. Then, during the Nov. 2 election they turned out in record numbers, establishing a 75 to 25 percent margin of victory.

But that is only a small part of the story. Not only was the percentage for ratification of the amendment huge, the actual vote numbers were record-breaking — more citizens voted "Yes to protect marriage" than had ever voted "yes" and "no" combined on any other constitutional amendment in Kentucky history.

And yet even that is not the end of it. Ultimate victory was accomplished with those working to protect marriage being outspent 4 to 1 by same-sex marriage advocates. According to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance website, all of the groups working to protect marriage spent a total of only $104,885.67, while the "Vote NO" group spent $469,411.62 in its losing effort.

Yes, it’s good that marriage is protected. And, yes, it’s good that Kentuckians were passionate about it. But the question ultimately is this: Are we as Kentuckians only going to do our civic duty when we are "passionately motivated" to do so, OR are we going to do our duty of being involved because it’s our responsibility?

Currently, America’s military personnel in Iraq do their duty daily whether they feel like it or not. Even the Iraqi people — at least about 60 percent of those eligible — did their duty to vote on January 31 at risk of life and limb. And yet legislators will still tell you today that if they receive 10 calls — TEN CALLS! — on any piece of legislation, they believe that citizens back home must be "very concerned."

Let’s simply recognize our God-given, Founding Father-inspired role of citizen involvement . . . and then do it!

Certainly, with issues like expanded gambling, The Protection of Embryonic Human Life Act and The Public Decency Act on the table, we must be able to find some conviction. . . or at least some opinion.

Let your conviction or opinion fly! Kentucky can lead this nation. YOU can be a part of making history and more importantly, you can set an example for your children and grandchildren.

We’ve got about three weeks left in this session. Set aside a few minutes and make a difference.