Katie, over at GardenPunks posted this and after writing a (mini-rant) comment on her post I figured I might as well memorialize it here and pass on the link. This is one of the more eloquent responses to Prop 8 that I have seen from the media/pundits,despite the fact that Oberman and all other tv personalities of his genre generally drive me batty. I am still amazed that this county can manage to take a step forward and a step backwards at the same time. How a nation and some of it’s citizens can be so preoccupied with taking away the rights of others, instead of preserving the rights we have left – is baffling.
I can legally marry. I choose not to because I believe the government has no place in the romantic/personal relationships between people. Marriage, as a government regulated institution, is exposed as a social contract for the production of a labor force. Nothing more and nothing less. Why else would there be such an issue over two people of the same sex wanting to marry? For a professedly secular nation to even have such spirited debate and disagreement over basic issues of equality like this is just embarrassing. Marriage is something that should be in the jurisdiction of one’s community, be it a church or other social circles.
I understand that the government has a vested interest in dealing with issues of inheritance and child guardianship. And the government could feasibly regulate that by requiring property owners and parents to establish inheritance and guardianship plans at the time that they purchase property or have a child. But for the government to be deciding who can and can’t enter into a personal commitment is ludicrious. And even more ludicrious is the fact that we allow fellow citizens to take away others rights by a simple vote. I don’t fundamentally belive in the institution of marraige, but if I have the right to marry in this country, so should all of it’s citizens.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Jimmy Cracked Corn // Nov 17, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Yes.
2 annie // Nov 17, 2008 at 5:29 pm
well, you do make a good argument for it. I had not thought of it that way.
3 Katie // Nov 17, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Like you, I thought this was one of the more eloquent responses to the issue at hand. And you’re right – the government has no business mucking around in our relationships. Why am I married? Because I needed health insurance. I admire your stance on the issue because it makes me think… thank you for sharing.
4 Gary // Nov 18, 2008 at 5:53 am
I can’t even express how exciting it is to be so very on the same page on this one. Thank you for being my bestest buddy and co-borrower!
5 Maya // Nov 19, 2008 at 11:35 am
Hi Jimmy – Thanks
Hey Annie – I figure regardless of where you stand politically or religiously on the issue, we have to afford everyone the same rights, or we put our own at risk.
Katie – Thanks for the inspiration! I completely understand the health insurance issue. Isn’t it ironic that while the opponents of same-sex marriage base many of their arguments on the idea of marriage as some sacred institution, the reality is that there are likely more heterosexual marriages borne out of necessity (healthcare, citizenship, taxes) than a deep and abiding love for the ‘sacred institution’ and its symbolism?
Gary – I think we both got really lucky…I’ll be your co-borrower any time. Besides, what good is a ring when you have a 30 year mortgage together? 🙂
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