Our public officials have a duty to respect the law, except in Dane County, where officials only have to respect the laws they like. That is the message our local public officials are sending when they decide to take the oath of office under protest.
The oath is a pledge that all members of government make, promising to uphold the laws of the land, including state and federal constitutions.
But officials in both Madison and Dane County will have the options of adding a statement to their oath saying that they take it under protest in the wake of the addition of an amendment to state constitution banning gay marriage. and promising to work to overturn that amendment.
This editorial board has been a fervent supporter of gay rights and argued repeatedly against the discriminatory amendment that 59 percent of Wisconsin passed, which outlaws gay marriage in the constitution.
However, while we share these officials' passion for the issue, we do not believe their decision to take oath under protest is an effective or wise course of action.
That decision would set a dangerous precedent—that elected officials only have to uphold the laws that align with their own personal beliefs.
If, someday in the not too distant future, Wisconsin voters approved an amendment allowing gays to marry, would conservative lawmakers across Wisconsin take their oaths under protest?
Would those officials actively work to deny rights to gays, without regard to the constitution?
Those actions would be deplorable, but they would follow the precedent set by our officials here in Dane County and the city of Madison.
Our local officials should work to defend the rights of gays and lesbians, ensuring that the state constitution amendment does not nullify the domestic partner benefits already in Dane County.
They should not allow their sentiment to interfere with their duty to uphold the Constitution.
