Obama and marriage | The Salt Lake Tribune

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In his farewell address, George Washington said: "In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness — religion and morality."

The Defense of Marriage Act, enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996, is the U.S. federal law that defines marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman. North Carolina just became the 30th state to confirm by constitutional amendment that marriage is between one man and one woman.

The definition of marriage is the most significant religious and moral issue of our time, testing the very foundations of our democratic republic. Yet, the president of the United States — whose duty under the Constitution is to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed" — has refused to defend DOMA in the courts, and now has publicly declared his support for same-sex marriage.

By his subversion of the federal law, we must ask, does he not violate his oath of office? With this dereliction of duty and his recent declaration in mind, let us also ask if only "in vain would [he] claim the tribute of patriotism"?

J. David Gowdy

Alpine