This is a list of benefits that committed gay and lesbian couples do not enjoy, and may never enjoy, because of the legacy of the Bush administration:
State-Granted Legal Marriage Rights
(these may vary somewhat from state to state, but on the whole are fairly accurate):
Assumption of Spouse’s Pension
Automatic Inheritance
Automatic Housing Lease Transfer
Bereavement Leave
Burial Determination
Child Custody
Crime Victim’s Recovery Benefits
Divorce Protections
Domestic Violence Protection
Exemption from Property Tax on Partner’s Death
Immunity from Testifying Against Spouse
Insurance Breaks
Joint Adoption and Foster Care
Joint Bankruptcy
Joint Parenting (Insurance Coverage, School Records)
Medical Decisions on Behalf of Partner
Certain Property Rights
Reduced Rate Memberships
Sick Leave to Care for Partner
Visitation of Partner’s Children
Visitation of Partner in Hospital or Prison
Wrongful Death (Loss of Consort) Benefits
Federally-Granted Legal Marriage Rights
Access to Military Stores
Assumption of Spouse’s Pension
Bereavement Leave
Immigration
Insurance Breaks
Medical Decisions on Behalf of Partner
Sick Leave to Care for Partner
Social Security Survivor Benefits
Sick Leave to Care for Partner
Tax Breaks
Veteran’s Discounts
Visitation of Partner in Hospital or Prison
There. That is what the “Defense of Marriage”, both Federal and state, is keeping from honest, hard working American families. This is not about my opinion vs. another’s opinion. This is about directly impeding my and my friends, colleagues and hundreds of thousands of others’ rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This is not some intangible concept. This is my life. And that is why my teeth clench every time I see a Bush sticker. It’s been made perfectly clear that Bush and his pundits hate me and my friends and loved ones…or at least think I’m sorely misguided. And yet, I am not the one who sent our sons and daughters to the sands of Iraq on shaky, and based on the Downing Street Memos , fairly trumped up reasons. No, I am just another one of ‘those’ people. Those people who go to work every day, do a good job, come home to their love and best friend, weed the garden, walk the dog and chat with thier neighbors. Yep…My quiet little happiness is a huge threat to the ‘institute of marriage’.
To quote Senator Barbara Boxer, (D) California:
But I think, when we do this, we do lose something. I think we lose our soul.
That is what you lose when you scapegoat a group of people, a whole group of
people who have never even asked us to legalize gay marriage. Scapegoating is
ugly. History has seen it too many times. You know that and I know that. Groups
of people who are different are identified. It becomes ‘we’ versus ‘them.’ Their
identity as individuals is lost and they become faceless. Special rules are
written for them. They are singled out as a group. Read the history books, my
colleagues. You will find it there. We are all Americans in this country,
regardless of our differences. We are Americans first. We are God’s children,
all of us, regardless of our differences. Why do we need to craft a piece of
legislation designed to hurt our fellow Americans when there is absolutely no
need to do it?
And finally:
Bible Notes on Marriage
Marriage shall consist of a union between one man and one or more women.
Genesis 29:17-28
Marriage shall not impede a manÂs right to take concubines in addition to his wife or wives.
II Samuel 5:13 and II Chronicles 11:13
Marriage is considered valid only if the the wife is a virgin. If she is not a virgin, she shall be executed.
Deuteronomy 22:13
Marriage between a believer and non-believer is forbidden.
Genesis 24:3
Since there is no law that can change things, divorce is not possible.
Genesis 38:6-10
If a married man dies, his brother must marry his sister-in-law.
Deuteronomy 25:5-10
Hmmm… Do you honestly think this would have been any different with Kerry in the seat? Don’t get me wrong, friend. I do not uphold the definition of extremist right-winged idealism, and I actually support the equal opportunity of recognized unions between same sex couples. Guess what? If you didn’t notice, nothing on my blog mentioned same sex marriage because I think it is blown out of proportion by both sides and I didn’t want to get into it.
But let’s face it, nothing would have been different. Change at the scale you’re talking about would take much longer than the 8 years possble for Kerry. Even Bush is not much of a threat because he’s thinking in the same mindset as the rest of the closed-minded US government before him.
I voted for Bush because I have family in the military and every single one of them wanted to go over to the sands of Iraq and help their fellow man, on “shaky” or “trumped up” grounds if necessary. Proof or no proof of current WDMs, that sand-combing mustache and the ass attached to it needed to be pulled from power. You don’t leave a powder keg in the sun because eventually it will blow. Beyond that, there were several situations in education, economy and innovation that would be injured by a change of spearhead; I couldn’t see them happen with Kerry’s leadership and very funky campaign statements anyway.
I am writing this response because I am assuming you sent me this post based on the fact that you took offense or otherwise disagreed whole-heartedly about what I wrote. Understand that in order to fully trust the man running this country every man, woman and child must look at the big picture, not dwell on what is relevant to them. Both men had issues, and I framed my decision solely on the relevance of each candidate’s actions to my values: help one another by any means necessary, because survival of the fittest requires collaboration. I urge all that still have those stupid John Kerry stickers on their cars to wake up and realize that, as proud as they are that they didn’t vote for Bush, there is more to do than elect a president. The power is in the people, and regardless of the decisions of one man the nation must move on.
You post lists of benefits you don’t enjoy while people make lists of necessities they can’t even imagine. So while you’re worrying about reduced-rate memberships and insurance breaks, let the rest of the world worry about poverty, hunger, tyranny, famine, plague, tsunamis, volcanos, earthquakes, overpopulation, suicide bombers, religious genecide, government collapse, apartheid, jihad, dictatorships, terrorists, environmental conservation, extinction, free trade restrictions, embargos and falling buildings. Forget the fact that, unlike blacks and women in general for hundreds of years, you are still able to vote. Look past the new growing sense of misguided terror whenever someone passes by someone of middle eastern descent. At least you’ll know you’re fighting the good fight. At least for yourself.
Um, just so you know, before you quote the bible you should know: 1. You took 2 quotes from the Morman Bible and 2. The other quotes are from the Old Testiment, which most people believe became obsolete by the New Testiment. Also, a lot of the wording in the bible changes depending on which bible you quote. And many people view the bible as a History book of what was and not what will be or what is. Don’t lump Christians or any other religions into a big group just because the bible says one thing. And just as a note, Laura Bush, the first lady, supports civil unions which would give gay and lesbian couples the same rights as heterosexual couples.
Thank you both for your comments. I appreciate your support.