People of Faith CT

by David Samuels
Hartford Courant Letter
October 5, 2008

The September 29 Courant article "Rally Pushes Constitutional Convention" contained quotes from Peter Wolfgang, leader of the conservative group Family Institute of Connecticut, in addition to two figures from the progressive community, Green Party leader Mike De Rosa & Constitution Convention Campaign Vice Chairman John Woodcock, who are extolling the virtues of holding a convention to amend the state constitution. This issue will be decided on November 4 at the polls. Unfortunately, De Rosa & Woodcock have overlooked the protections that the state constitution affords those who comprise the more vulnerable populations in Connecticut, while the FIC is attempting to take state residents "through the looking glass".

The FIC website states that their organization's mission is to "...promote sound ethical & moral values in our culture & government". What is more "ethical & moral" than defending this state's constitution? The agenda portion of the website includes the statement that FIC "...encourages public policies which support the two parent family". This is profoundly contradictory and disturbing language from a group that purports to possess a vision of "...compassion for all families, especially single parent & needy families". Throughout Connecticut, there are groups of all races & socioeconomic status who will always be "outvoted" under a ballot initiative system by a more organized, authoritarian majority whose agenda is to turn the clock back to their vision of "community". State residents should be outraged to know that those who are protecting the literal blueprint of democracy in Connecticut are being demonized by FIC.

David Samuels is a member of the CT Civil Rights Defense Coalition.