Obama On The Spot Over Gay Partner Benefits

New York Times:

Just seven weeks into office, President Obama is being forced to confront one of the most sensitive social and political issues of the day: whether the government must provide health insurance benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[jackM50]

We don't know if Obama is the friend of gays or not. Remember that President Obama campaigned in opposition to gay marriage. Don't look to the President to be the friend to Gay Americans. I hope that he will be, but I would'nt bet on it.

Right now, without Gay Marriage, Gay Americans are denied some tax and legal beneifits that are specially reserved for Heterosexual Americans. We are second class citizens, or at least we are being treated as such by the US Gov't. Everyone knows this, liberal and conservative alike.

Because we are denied equitable treatment by the courts, the law, and the public, the tax dollars paid by gay Americans go toward the continued employment of public officials and toward the enforcement of laws to ensure inequitable treatment under the law. Therefore, we should not pay taxes to keep this backward system going. There can be no taxation without representation .

Gay men and women: Soon we will stop paying taxes, not tomorrow, but soon.

[PhilipB]

I agree with you. I am not sure about not paying taxes, though. It would be a hardship to go to jail, at least for me. I do believe to standing up for our rights. Is not paying taxes the only way?

[KrystynM]

He really needs to come through on this one for the gay community. He did promise to make sure they had benefits and all that, so I will be 100% disappointed if he drops this one for the Repubs. What have they done for him/the country? Nothing.

[tr 24]

Nope, moving along.

[PlaceboStudman]

It's time for President Obama (and the press) to put up or shut up. Either do it or don't do it already!

and I hope with every fiber of my being that he does confront this issue and begin the process to allow all couples, gay or straight, the same rights and priveledges, including the right and priveledge to marry in a courthouse by a judge, or in a church by a person of the cloth, if they so choose

[Dolmance]

One of the great things about Obama is, he has the ability to cut through bullshit and get away with it, a quality that hasn't been seen in a President since Roosevelt. Watching the Republicans, who really are the focus of evil in the modern world, squealing themselves hoarse is going to be a pleasure.

[DCdweller]

I agree!

[jackM50]

President Obama is a straight man who campaigned against Gay Marriage. He is not in favor of our rights and sincere aspirations. Why would you look to him for help? I hope he will do the right thing. Maybe he'll issue an emancipation proclamation... but I would'nt bet on it.

[clbrown3]

Ummm...he may have "campaigned" against gay marriage...but at least he supports full federal and state rights for homosexuals. He understands that conservatives have co-opted the language, especially the term marriage.

Remember people...the fight is not whether its call gay marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships...the fight is over whether we have FULL rights...not half rights.

Obama supports FULL rights, just not the term marriage. While I do not agree with "separate but equal," I would prefer FULL rights and a name other than marriage than what we have now.

Please do not paint him in an improper light. This is how the conservatives stole Prop 8. They told everyone that Obama didnt support gay marriage. What they failed to state was that Obama supports FULL rights for all homosexuals. Rights that are equal to the rights heterosexuals already receive. Marriage is nothing but a 8 letter word folks.

[Obamasoldier]

Why not????