RNC Committeeman Dave Agema Open To Getting Government Out Of Marriage

Me, right, derping at RNC Committeeman Dave Agema, left

By Brandon Hall
(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

Friday night, WMP spotlighted stark differences between State Representatives Courser and Gamrat with MIGOP Ethnic Vice Chair Darwin Jiles in a story showing how the debate over gay marriage is playing out in the GOP.

>>>Holy WAR: Courser Defends Gamrat In Fight With Jiles Spotlighting GOP's Gay Marriage Divide

After some reflection, I was reminded  of a conversation I had with Dave Agema. Agema has been in the spotlight multiple times for controversies surrounding gay issues over the last two decades.

It was the first time I met the RNC Committeeman, at a fundraiser last summer. I was quite curious to ask him a few questions after, and was impressed with his genuineness, passion, and knowledge of the issues.

I asked him about gay marriage. I told him I thought marriage should basically be privatized and the government should get out. I then explained reasons it would be good for the traditional marriage and the pro gay marriage factions of the party.

After some ruminating, Agema said, "Of course I have some concerns, but I am open to the possibility of it...It's something I have thought about. With these activist judges, it may be the only way to save traditional marriage in the churches, getting government out."

(He knew he was on the record in that conversation, not springing this on him. I have since spoke with Dave many other times off the record and will keep the rest of those talks private.)

Will Dave Agema back marriage privatization? Maybe, maybe not. But stay tuned. The gay marriage battle in the MIGOP (and across the nation) will only intensify as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on the issue this summer. It could also be on the ballot in 2016 in Michigan, as could "Elliot-Larsen" protections some want.

I will repeat what I said in the article the other day:

The government that governs least governs best, and those who live by the sword of government will surely die from it. The funny thing is, the pendulum of government is swinging towards mandating government sanctioned gay marriage... 

Why wouldn't those who who oppose gay marriage want to "protect churches" from the "gay agenda" and get government out!? Pretty soon, if government stays involved and gay marriage is legalized nationwide via the Supreme Court, churches who refuse to perform gay marriages could lose tax breaks or face other devastating consequences.

Traditional marriage advocates who worship at the altar of government on the marriage issue should be careful what they wish for.

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.
>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com 

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Photo By Darlene Dowling Thompson