Letter to the Editor
Big Dig Distraction Shelves Marriage Amendment
               The Democrats used the distraction of the tragedy at the Big Dig to shelve any discussion on the Gay Marriage Amendment until after the November elections. 
               The reason is obvious, what could be more devastating to Democrats in the November elections than the revelation that the people of Massachusetts have once again been denied their constitutional right to be heard at the ballot box.  The legislators had a moral obligation to honor the will of the people, particularly the 177,000 signers of the petition who signed a similar petition in 2002 only to be betrayed by the legislators of that period which ruined the political career of Senate President Tom Birmingham. .
               Senate President Robert Travaglini and House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi are without shame; they have utter contempt for the will of the people.  They will do anything to keep the issue off the ballot.  To her credit, State Rep. Marie Parente (D-Milford) said, “Democracy lost today.”  If the legislators had the votes to defeat the amendment you can rest assured, a vote would have been taken. 
               Who knows, with people so outraged over corruption at the Big Dig, coupled with depriving the people on the Marriage Amendment, this might be just the motivation the people need to make some changes in the composition of the state legislature.    I dare say this letter won’t see the light of day in my hometown paper, The Dorchester Reporter.
Edward Shallow
Dorchester, MA