The issue of Gay Marriage it not a social issue, its a financial one. Proponents aren’t concerned with the “recognition of two loving adults sharing a relationship” they are concerned with the ability to file a MARRIED status tax return, the ability to insure a SPOUSE through company sponsored insurance programs, and the legal recognition as a SURVIVING SPOUSE when one partner dies. As far as the tax issue, tax incentives are provide to re-enforce behavior that is considered “good” for the country. Incentives are historically provided to same sex Married couples under the assumption that these couples will procreate and thereby create new little tax payers. While it can be argued that gay couples can adopt, artificial inseminate, etc, it can also be argued that the lack of a balanced “traditional” household is not in the best interest of creating productive little tax payers. With the divorce rate this is becoming a fairly thin argument, if it had any basis in fact to begin with. For the company sponsored insurance issue the spousal insurance is offered under the assumption that spouses do not work, or have jobs that do not offer insurance. While this is not normally the case in Male gay marriages, and may be a bit more prevalent in Female gay marriages, it is becoming less and less the norm in opposite sex marriages with duel income homes, and most companies are recognizing this and requiring addition insurance payments by employees who have spouses that do have access to other insurance but decline it. In short this is becoming less and less of a “perk” for married couples. The big issue here is surviving spouse benefits. Without the designation of a marriage, two same sex cohabitants have no rights or recourse in the case of a “mate” who becomes incapacitated or dies. A surviving gay partner can find themselves loosing all accumulated wealth and living on the street when the major wage earner dies. You can argue the social issues all you want. You just need to be aware what the ramifications of gay marriage truly are and why it is so important to the proponents of gay marriage not to have Legal Union or some other designation assigned to their relationship, but to have it designated as a Marriage…..its the money
I detest people trying to hide their true motives behind emotional issues. While prevalent through history, I find it dishonest and insulting. Tell me what you want, we’ll discuss it and come to a reasonable resolution. Don’t play on my fears, my emotions, or my religion.
