Gay Marriage Issue Wrong Issue at Wrong Time!
by Anthony Watson (c) 2004
I guess I am going to toss my two cents in here. I think that all this fuss about gay marriage is really missing the point. Once upon a time, protecting marriage as an institution had a much higher purpose. It had to do with the fact that society does not go on without future generations. In fact historically one can look at many supposedly successful conquests that were actually demographically nullified within a few generations. One might even look at the Mexican-American War in this light very soon.
However, as a society marriage no longer serves American society's higher purpose of continuation. DINKs have become the norm, (Dual Income No Kids) and the gay population is heavily represented here...as one might expect. I think if the gay population wants to get married, then they need to be vocal and more up front on childhood adoption issues. Why do we not see this type of fervor in pursuit of adoption rights? It is this constituency's selfishness in my opinion.
As a society, we need to value families and children because they are the future. By value, I mean pay money!!!!! There should be greater tax breaks for children's breadwinners. I should not have to buy health insurance for my child. Society has a huge interest in healthy children, but we are too cheap to do it. I could even extend the argument to the fact that the caregivers of children are making sacrifices in the name of posterity and should be extended health insurance. Of course, really everyone should have health insurance, but if we cannot afford that then we should be finding the money to accomplish the aforementioned.
If the gay people are not going to include in their activism this message: The message about the higher purpose of marriage and family and children and the future of society, then I wish they'd pipe down. They are helping George W. Bush play to his base. They are alienating swing voters that might vote for Kerry, due to his military background, but are turned off when the Democrats become the party of homosexuals...or at least it is large and vocal constituency.
Call it what you want marriage or civil union, it does not matter. This issue is really deeper and it is about family and the future. If gays want this right then they should be talking about the full depth and breadth of the right and how that by their inclusion, they understand the greater purpose of society and wish to shoulder their load. Rights just aren't candy and ice cream! Sure now you can get the tax breaks of being married and extending your health benefits to your partner, but will you leverage that and extend health benefits to a child via adoption or insemination?
I cannot support this activism for marriage without the rest of this issue being loudly and passionately discussed. If the gay community is ready to step up and embrace ALL of their rights and duties, then yes let them get married, but sans that committment loudly proclaimed, heterosexual Democrats URGE you to cease and desist. If the larger issues of family and children are framed within your activism, then that is a different story. It helps Democrats talk about what Republicans want to do with money and what Democrats want to do with money. Please,please heed this message and broaden the debate to include these issues, because if you do not, you are damaging the larger cause of unseating George Bush.
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by Anthony Watson (c) 2004