Opponents of R-71 resort to distractions

OPPONENTS of Referendum 71 are using more arm waving and fancy footwork than an aerobics class.

Groups working against a sensible expansion of Washington's domestic-partnership law are desperate to change the subject. They are inventing distractions.

Voters should approve Senate Bill 5688 because it allows all families in committed relationships to take care of their children and partners within the law. The Legislature passed the measure, and Gov. Chris Gregoire signed it. Now it is before voters to be affirmed.

Approval of R-71 is about legal rights and responsibilities for registered domestic partners and their families — everyone having the opportunity to take care of their own.

The well-heeled opposition is behaving like the punch line of an old joke about legal tactics. If the facts are on your side, pound the facts. If the facts are against you, pound the table.

Campaigning against Washington families is not getting anywhere, so opponents filed a suit in federal court to have the state's public-disclosure laws declared unconstitutional. Those laws limit contributions from businesses and individuals to $5,000 within 21 days of the election. Opponents also object to providing details about where the money comes from. A judge told them Tuesday to abide by the law.

These are the same folks who object to having the names of petition signers part of the public record. Initiatives and referendums are part of the legislative process — making, challenging and passing measures that shape our government. Secrecy here is as out of place as it is in Olympia.

All of the planned, purposeful distractions seek to take the voter's eye off the elemental fairness of putting all families in sync with the rights and obligations of Washington law.

Ignore the hyperventilating arm wavers, and vote to approve Referendum 71.