Gay marriage, eh?

Our neighbors to the north have become the enemy of America. They opposed us on the war in Iraq, were unimpressed when the greatest President ever went to visit them, and now their Supreme Court have paved the way for gay marriage to become legal. All that's left is a vote in parliament, largely expected to pass with ease.

Of course, I don't think Canada is the enemy, and I think the U.S. could learn a thing or two from the Canadian debate. For instance:

"This is a victory for Canadian values," said Alex Munter of Canadians for Equal Marriage.

He said that while public opinion may be split on the subject, Canadians endorse the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the constitution's bill of rights.

"One area of overwhelming consensus is that the charter is a document that Canadians cherish," Munter said.

Democrats, myself included, often feel that certain things are unconstitutional, such as forced school prayer and gay marriage. Their debate, however, is not framed around these individual issues, but the larger Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Don't like the issue of gay marriage? Well, it's protected by the same document that gives you your rights and freedoms. To deny it is to deny your rights as well.

What is the Democrats took up the call of Robert Byrd and became the party of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights? In any number of debates I've heard passing reference to something being "unconstitutional," but I've never heard it used in a convincing fashion. For example:

Why is it Republicans work so hard to usurp the Bill of Rights? What American would stand by and watch his Constitution attacked and say nothing about it? And if G-d gave us these unalienable rights, why are some so keen on taking them away?

Those who see nothing wrong with assaulting our freedoms then become extremists, out of touch with the country and too busy watching the new conservative media to know what is really going on. If a majority of Americans believe in upholding the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, then those who try and destroy those rights are fringe extremists. It would become a whole new way to frame Republicans as out of touch with the values of Americans.

Thoughts?