To the editor:

The measure to expand the anti-discrimination law that was recently was approved by the County Council is a perfect example of the liberties taken by elected officials who are there to represent their constituents and not a small minority special-interest group.

Third District Councilwoman Colleen Wasinger, R-Town and Country, stated correctly, “… Special protections are so very important and they should be debated …”

Unfortunately, our culture has lost, or forgotten, the importance of debate in such matters and when we do debate, usually during presidential campaigns, the debaters do not stick to facts and intellect, but resort to emotion-evoking statements and hyperbole.

We are a people who are swayed by emotional arguments and the more emotional they get, the stronger the backlash to those who disagree. When we find ourselves in disagreement with the above so-called anti-discrimination law, we subject ourselves to being labeled, rather vehemently, as haters and bigots.

While I disagree the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, or LGBT, community needs or warrants any such special protection, my real concern is the sneaky, back-door way, these groups get their agendas on the books as law.

According to the Call, there were an overwhelming number of people present opposed to the measure, yet council members had already made up their minds not to listen to their constituents. We elect representatives who cater to the “squeaky wheel,” falling under their spell of emotional arguments, coupled with the fear of being called “hater” or “bigot.”

It is important to note that 6th District Councilman Steve Stenger, D-Affton, voted for the measure. The backbone of the elected official is a thing of the past, but what of the voter?

What of the voter? Perhaps that is another letter to the editor, the voter’s inability to process and think through the media bombardment and our ignorance of the Constitution.