Coke is what's in our household. We always have a 12-pk. of Cherry Coke for me, a 24-pk. of Coke for Mike and Jason has a 12-pk. of Vanilla Coke. He only voted for Pepsi in this debate because of Mt. Dew but he is a big fan of Coke...as anyone cool would be. :)
That's what I mean. I don't care if it's called a marriage, civil union or whatever else someone comes up with; as long as it comes with all of the same benefits and rights that are afforded to straight couples who get married.
I know that some churches sanctify gay marriage and that is fine for those who are in those churches and those who choose to get married in those churches. I only ask for equality in the eyes of our government. There are a lot of things that straights AND gays do in their lives that the church doesn't believe in. That is something we each have to face and deal with in our own lives with God, spirit, religion, etc. (whatever you may believe), since you can believe what you want in this free country.
Being in a relationship with someone you love, respect, trust, desire, believe in, etc. only makes you a better person. Making our citizens equal and being a better person because of being recognized in our society means it is a good thing for our government to recognize. Being in a relationship with my same-sex partner since 1990 (and knowing I will be with him until the day I die) makes me want a legally recognized union.
My answer may partially surprise you. I've had this very conversation with my openly gay brother-in-law and my answer has not wavered.
Let's get the pertinent information out of the way. I'm a straight male who has been married for almost four years. I'm also what I would consider somewhere between libertarian and conservative politically(I know, I'm confused as well).
In regards to marriage my answer would be no but let's look a little deeper on how I form that immediate response. I'm far from super christian but I honestly believe most of the issues the masses have with gay marriage is the so called hijacking of the marriage ceremony. Would that not mean there biggest problem is with the symbolism of the event? The bride, the groom, the dress, the tux, the flowers, the ceremony, the bible, etc...
Where do I stand? Should gays be treated any different in the eyes of our government? No. Should they lose out on tax rights (not going to matter soon as we'll all be taxed to death by Obama) and visitation rights in hospitals, etc...? No! I had my wife on my insurance as a domestic partner before we got married and I was taxed through the roof for covering her. I may be wrong but I believe they added all employer costs for medical insurance to our total taxable income which killed us on taxes.
You guys/gals are gay for goodness sake (sarcasm pointed at creativity - You dress far better than straight guys). Get creative. Get the entire gay community together, develop your own unique ceremony and lobby Washington (everyone else does it) to allow your ceremony to be represented as a civil union with no distinguishable difference in the governments eyes between a gay couple and married couple. Just stay away from the religious ceremony.
Being a business owner, I have my taxes prepared for me. Before I was a business owner, I didn't think it necessary to pay someone. Guess it depends on your situation.
Have never really been a fan of beards, even though I hate shaving. I do love seeing a man who can grow a great mustache. You may think it's a thing from the 70's but I think it's hot!
I believe that the United States was set up for equality for all, when our Founding Fathers wrote the US Constitution, which is a document that many of us hold extremely dear. I then do not understand why gays are not allowed to have a recognized union of some sort.
I believe that church beliefs should not have to be changed for gays to have a marriage, civil union or whatever it will end up being called. The government can not cause religion to change their beliefs. But our government is here for all citizens and all citizens should be treated fairly and have ALL of the same rights and freedoms. Therefore, the US government should allow gay marriage (or whatever you want to name it). I would not care if my union was recognized by the church or not. But I should be allowed to have a union that is recognized by my government.
There are MANY rights that straight couples gain by a union and gays are left out of these rights, simply by not being allowed to marry. Partner insurance, hospital visitation, inheritance without taxation, are but a few. I pay taxes. I provide jobs. I donate to charities. I do these things and more just like most citizens of this great country. I am then treated like a second class citizen. Hardly seems fair.
All I can say is that Rush should be the face of the Republican Party, just like he wants. That really helps Democrats, so I'm all for him being a mouth piece for Republicans!
Of course, someone with AIDS should not be required to register as a sex offender. A sex offender register is for those who have been a sex offender. Plain and simple. Having AIDS means you probably had unprotected sex with an AIDS carrier, got AIDS from a blood transfusion or got AIDS from working with an accident victim while not protecting oneself. These days, all doctors and nurses and EMTs and etc. know that they may be at risk and should take the proper precautions to protect themselves from AIDS and other diseases.
If it is proven that a person with AIDS is purposefully sleeping with others and infecting others on purpose, then he/she should be sentenced by the full extent of the law because of murder or attempted murder.
Most people living with AIDS are NOT sex offenders just as most gays are not sex offenders who prey on little kids or straight men. Labels and stereotypes usually bring more problems than they correct. You can't lump all men as good and nice. You can't lump all alcoholic drinkers as persons who will drive under the influence. You can't lump all women together as good mothers. People are who they are and labels and stereotyps don't change that.
I know that some churches sanctify gay marriage and that is fine for those who are in those churches and those who choose to get married in those churches. I only ask for equality in the eyes of our government. There are a lot of things that straights AND gays do in their lives that the church doesn't believe in. That is something we each have to face and deal with in our own lives with God, spirit, religion, etc. (whatever you may believe), since you can believe what you want in this free country.
Being in a relationship with someone you love, respect, trust, desire, believe in, etc. only makes you a better person. Making our citizens equal and being a better person because of being recognized in our society means it is a good thing for our government to recognize. Being in a relationship with my same-sex partner since 1990 (and knowing I will be with him until the day I die) makes me want a legally recognized union.
Let's get the pertinent information out of the way. I'm a straight male who has been married for almost four years. I'm also what I would consider somewhere between libertarian and conservative politically(I know, I'm confused as well).
In regards to marriage my answer would be no but let's look a little deeper on how I form that immediate response. I'm far from super christian but I honestly believe most of the issues the masses have with gay marriage is the so called hijacking of the marriage ceremony. Would that not mean there biggest problem is with the symbolism of the event? The bride, the groom, the dress, the tux, the flowers, the ceremony, the bible, etc...
Where do I stand? Should gays be treated any different in the eyes of our government? No. Should they lose out on tax rights (not going to matter soon as we'll all be taxed to death by Obama) and visitation rights in hospitals, etc...? No! I had my wife on my insurance as a domestic partner before we got married and I was taxed through the roof for covering her. I may be wrong but I believe they added all employer costs for medical insurance to our total taxable income which killed us on taxes.
You guys/gals are gay for goodness sake (sarcasm pointed at creativity - You dress far better than straight guys). Get creative. Get the entire gay community together, develop your own unique ceremony and lobby Washington (everyone else does it) to allow your ceremony to be represented as a civil union with no distinguishable difference in the governments eyes between a gay couple and married couple. Just stay away from the religious ceremony.
That's my two cents.
I believe that church beliefs should not have to be changed for gays to have a marriage, civil union or whatever it will end up being called. The government can not cause religion to change their beliefs. But our government is here for all citizens and all citizens should be treated fairly and have ALL of the same rights and freedoms. Therefore, the US government should allow gay marriage (or whatever you want to name it). I would not care if my union was recognized by the church or not. But I should be allowed to have a union that is recognized by my government.
There are MANY rights that straight couples gain by a union and gays are left out of these rights, simply by not being allowed to marry. Partner insurance, hospital visitation, inheritance without taxation, are but a few. I pay taxes. I provide jobs. I donate to charities. I do these things and more just like most citizens of this great country. I am then treated like a second class citizen. Hardly seems fair.
If it is proven that a person with AIDS is purposefully sleeping with others and infecting others on purpose, then he/she should be sentenced by the full extent of the law because of murder or attempted murder.
Most people living with AIDS are NOT sex offenders just as most gays are not sex offenders who prey on little kids or straight men. Labels and stereotypes usually bring more problems than they correct. You can't lump all men as good and nice. You can't lump all alcoholic drinkers as persons who will drive under the influence. You can't lump all women together as good mothers. People are who they are and labels and stereotyps don't change that.