Our president took a bold unprecedented stand on the subject of gay marriage this week. This was obviously a very risky move considering the political climate in this election year, but this is what REAL leaders do! This is what sets them apart from the very average leaders in this world who are owned by special interests and side with whoever has the deepest pockets.

As a veteran, I'm especially proud to see this boldness in the face of most certain adversity. My reason for serving this country was to defend freedom and rights for ALL Americans, regardless of their differences. Many in this country claim to love the US Constitution and what it stands for, but they regularly trample the rights of other citizens who don't share the same belief system as they do.

Tolerance, consideration, and respect should be the foundation of this country moving forward. Bigotry, discrimination, racism, and religious intolerance should be set aside so that we can move in the direction of a "more perfect union" that becomes the shining beacon of freedom and justice for those around the world. 

We observe religious freedom in this country, but that religious freedom should not become the shackles by which free citizens are bound. We should not be legislating religion, nor should we force those who don't observe Christianity to live by church by-laws.

I also believe that separation of church and state doesn't have to be absolute, because there are many positive contributions from people of faith. There has to be a balance that takes into consideration that our laws serve both religious AND secular citizens. 

I was watching a movie the other day set in England post Henry VIII where Catholics burned Protestants at the stake for heresy. This is the direction in which this country is moving right now; but instead of people being literally burned, the part of our Constitution that protects the rights of individuals in this country is being metaphorically burned by religious extremists that want to push our country toward a theocracy common to that of Iran.

Religious extremists are actually a minority in this country, but they are given a disproportionately large voice in our political landscape by the very wealthy who need this group to solidify their base. They're pulling GOP moderates to the extreme right which makes governance at both the state and federal levels increasingly difficult.

I call for moderates like myself on both sides of the aisle to help bring political and social balance back to our nation. This will require the kind of leadership our president has shown this week.