For a party that wants government "off our backs" and "out of our pockets," they sure seem to care a lot about who we love.
Republican lawmakers in North Carolina backed an amendment that voters successfully pushed through to their state constitution Tuesday night, acknowledging that only marriages between "one man and one woman" are to be recognized by the state. This comes as Vice President Joe Biden and Education Secretary Arne Duncan surprised many by publicly expressing their "comfort" with same-sex marriage.
President Obama has said he is "wrestling" with the issue of same-sex marriage. I, on the other hand, wrestle with the idea that laws ought to dictate our emotions. They shouldn't.
What is marriage, after all? Opponents of same-sex marriage claim that marriage is about procreation, a task that requires one man and one woman. But you do not have to pass a fertility test to be married, nor do you have to agree to have children. And what about all those married couples that did not have children -- are their marriages any less moral?
The only reasonable purpose of marriage, then, is to foster a healthy, affectionate relationship. We already know that gays and lesbians are more than capable of such a relationship. In fact, with nearly half of marriages ending in divorce in the U.S., perhaps heterosexuals are unqualified to judge others with respect to love and compassion.
With public support for same-sex marriage growing - 43 percent oppose the idea, an all-time low -- it's time the president encourages the trend, instead of ignoring it. Mr. Obama ought to be commended for ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and directing the Department of Justice to stop defending the unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act. And while actions certainly speak louder than words, it's upsetting that the president is sitting on the sidelines, especially considering that his support could inject much-needed energy into the debate.
In the president's words, his views on same-sex marriage are "evolving." Now, Mr. President, with all due respect, you are 50 years old. There is not much evolution when it comes to this issue -- you either believe in equal rights or you do not. How can you have trouble with such a simple issue but have firm positions on, say, complex economic policies? The game is over -- it's time to speak out.
It's a sad day when some feel there ought to be laws governing our feelings and our personal lives. Quite frankly, I don't know why anyone cares who others marry -- it's strictly a personal decision with no recognizable effect on anybody else. It is, in essence, a perfect example of an issue that government has no need or right to act on.
So mark today as the day I finally agree with the GOP -- Government should get off our backs, they should get out of our pockets. And you know what, they should to get out of our hearts, too.
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Josh D. Scheinert: Obama: Yes Gays Can
I would like to add. Our teens or young are not lost, maybe we induldged them, guilt, you all know..
But in general if they learn humility, and many have, they will be alright.
If not, in my mind, as all history. WE LOST THE Amazon lost, I picture MAD MAX movie, and I hate dirt.
Blessings
Might we be able to get a consensus on the issue of gay marriage if we separated church and state? In other words, if the government (the "state") were allowed to perform and authorize civil partnerships that provided all of the rights and responsibilities listed above. The churches could then decide who got married in their respective venues. Although same-sex couples might like to get married in a particular church, this solution could be at least a way to give them decent rights until our society outgrows its ridiculous homophobia.
So why can't all people get married, if all people are created equal?
Are you being forced into a same sex marriage?
On the other hand, same-sex couples are being forced to remain unmarried.
Republicans created the largest increases in our nations ability to spy on individuals, here and abroad... that is NOT consistant with small Government.
Republicans seek to determine who we can marry, and how we can protect ourselves from pregnancy... that is NOT consistant with small Government.
Republicans bailed out banks, and auto dealers, and Obama got blamed for it... even though he's never alleged himself to be anything other than a Progressive.
Spoken like a true libertarian.
On the second front the initial quote is really only half of the line. Reagan's complete sentence: "Get the government off the backs of the people....and into the bedroom where it belongs!"
BTW, NO ONE cares who's in your bedroom. I know you think the world is all looking at you and concerned with what you do, but we really don't care. So go sleep with who you want.
Evidently someone does care, enough to pass a law to legislate who can be in whose bed.
Homosexuals can love anyone they wish. That doesn't give them the "right," however, to turn society's family unit on its head by "marrying" each other.
Society according to the majority of NC-ers, for starters. Things didn't go too well for gays in Colorado, either. In fact, you've got about 30 states saying "no" to turning society's family unit on its head.
According to the majority of North Carolinians, for starters; not to mention about 30 other states.