Last Thursday, speaking before a friendly crowd, Senator Frantz made a statement that is cringe-worthy even among members of his party. He claimed that supporting social justice is "Un-American." Many in my party have expressed surprise and disbelief. Sadly, when I was made aware of the statement, I wasn't shocked at all. Sen. Frantz was giving voice to an opinion his voting record in Hartford has already shown us to be his view.
My opponent's voting record highlights his complete lack of regard for his fellow citizens, He voted to deny same sex marriage rights to Connecticut's citizens, bringing the government into bedrooms and the most private areas of people's lives. This past May, he was one of only five senators to vote against a bill which prohibited discriminatory hiring practices against unemployed job applicants. Sen. Frantz's disdain for social justice transcended any concerns he may have had for fiduciary matters when this past April he voted to keep an unjust and expensive death penalty in Connecticut.
I find the Senator's disdain for social justice to be disturbing, and to go so far as to brand anyone interested in social justice as un-American is an insult. This country has a long, sad history of injustices based on race, gender, and sexual orientation. Our school systems teach children about the efforts of Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, and Betty Friedan to right these wrong. To cavalierly dismiss those working for social justice as un-American is grossly unacceptable. I truly believe the people of Greenwich, Stamford, or New Canaan do not share Senator Frantz's view and deserve better then a Senator who does.
Daniel Dauplaise
Democratic candidate for the 36th Senate District.
