Steve Johnson wants us to overlook the founding ideals of our country in favor of conclusions based on erroneous logic and a poor understanding of individual rights ("America not ready to alter the definition of marriage," July 18).

His argument is the concept of "representative democracy," which he glosses as "majority rule." First of all, we are a republic, not a democracy. We have representatives who decide our laws - laws aren't passed through public voting. Second, we have a system of checks and balances to secure the inalienable rights of all citizens, regardless of the public's opinion. The American Revolution wasn't fought or supported by the majority.

It has been precisely visionaries following the motto "We don't discriminate" that have championed the civil liberties that we all enjoy. And with gay marriage, those same visionaries are fighting for our nation's future. It is sad to think the argument "America is not ready to alter the definition of marriage" may have support, when essentially it says "We accept denying civil rights to members of our society."

How much longer will civil rights remain a debate instead of offering a resounding "no" whenever someone attempts to limit the constitutional rights of equality of another?