To the editor:

If the governor (and those who agree with the governor) believes that “Activist judges should not overrule the people of Kansas,” then this position on same-sex marriage calls into question scores of judicial decisions that have stood the test of time because of their constitutional, ethical or moral foundations in spite of popular opinion. This weak argument is just one more appeal to the concept of majority rules, even when the majority is shown to be wrong when challenged in court decisions.

Just think what judges could have done over the years in the area of civil rights by overruling the people of all states who voiced their desires through majority opinions in state laws leading to sterilization of persons with intellectual disabilities, systematic housing and job discrimination, Jim Crow behavior and economic inequities.

It is sad to see how the projections for the direction of Kansas in the book “What’s the Matter With Kansas” have turned out to be so accurate. I am hoping we can begin with the elections in November to stop such alarming public pronouncements, negative campaigning and divisive rhetoric.