In other words: A discussion of The Bush Administration
President Calls for Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage
I assume if we want to protect marriage the constitutional amendment says that politicans can't wed?
Let's not debate gay marriage right now, to me that is a religious issue. Marriage signifies two completely separate things in America.
The term "married" can mean:Number 1 almost always includes number 2 (but not always), but that is only out of convience (i.e. the part "by the power vested in me by the state of..."), and even then you will have to fulfill various governmental requirements (i.e. the 'license' and in some states antiquated blood tests).
- You had a religious service where you and your spouse announce your marriage before your God and religious leaders.
- The government recognizes you and your spouse as "married" a legal entity that signifies various tax and legal advantages.
I can understand (though I don't agree) the emotion that rises when people think of gay marriages and think of definition number 1, but I really don't understand the anger against definition number 2.
For some reason people are against longstanding gay couples having these legal rights:
Employment Benefits
- Obtaining insurance benefits through a spouse's employer.
- Taking family leave to care for your spouse during an illness.
- Receiving wages, workers' compensation, and retirement plan benefits for a deceased spouse.
- Taking bereavement leave if your spouse or one of your spouse’s close relatives dies.
Medical Benefits
- Visiting your spouse in a hospital intensive care unit or during restricted visiting hours in other parts of a medical facility.
- Making medical decisions for your spouse if he or she becomes incapacitated and unable to express wishes for treatment.
Death Benefits
- Consenting to after-death examinations and procedures.
- Making burial or other final arrangements.
For more go to: Marriage Rights and Benefits
Thanks to Atrios for the link.
That is what people seem to be arguing against. They are arguing that a long standing couple should not have the right of having one of the partners make a medical decision if the other is incapacitated. The amendment is not protecting marriage it is attacking long term stable relationships based on love. The very thing this country needs more of. This is not a slippery slope that leads to beastiality, arguments like that are quite simply homophobic. We aren't talking about breaking any moral tradition here. We are simply talking about supporting and promoting long term stable loving relationships.
If you say Bush isn't against civil unions or what I am talking about than your source is lying to you. If the President says that, he is lying to you. This is a federal power grab based on religious homophobia for political reasons. Bush in a nutshell. Here is the amendment he supports.
Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution or the constitution of any state, nor state or federal law, shall be construed to require that marital status or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon unmarried couples or groups. Emphasis mine.
There you go. Plain as day. This law would make it illegal anywhere in the United States for a long standing couple to have the right where one of the partners could make a medical decision if the other is incapacitated.
This is not about marriage, it is about hate.
Sorry for rambling, and the bad photo.
- rob 4:19 PM - [PermaLink] -
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