(LPSF) Gay Marriage

LPSF,

Maybe, I am an odd bird. Unlike the advocates of state-sanctioned gay marriage, one of my goals in life is to be completely off government's radar screen. I am not opposed to marriage, gay, straight or any other configuration, provided the partnership is consensual and government has no involvement, whatsoever,?in the contract, license, marriage or divorce. What makes me commode-hugging sick about gay marriage is that gay?citizens, those?who advocate state-sanctioned gay marriage, are cheering government's new role in regulating another aspect of their lives. This is the same government that, in my lifetime, raided gay bars, beat and jailed citizens for being gay, labeled them psychologically unfit,?and, generally, treated them as second-class citizens. I can't understand wanting to enter into a contract with the same government that has abused gay citizens, and everybody else,?for so long. I can't understand advocating a system where people have to get government permission (license, taxes, fees and tests) to do something. I can't understand the mentality that thinks government acceptance makes?something legitimate, even if the proposed action is a good idea.

When I look at the photos of Mayor Newsom officiating at today's gay marriages and I see his huge smile, I don't think for one second that he gives a damn about the happiness of the newlyweds. I believe his smile comes from the attention he gets; his new-found, worldwide?political fame; certainty that his name will be added to history books;?and his?groundbreaking role?in expanding the size and scope of Leviathan. As long as government is a partner/regulator?of marriage, regardless of the type of marriage, hatred and division will flow from the issue of marriage. State-sanctioned marriage, regardless of the sexual orientation of its partners,?is the politicization and defilement of marriage. State-sanctioned gay marriage is a victory for government, not gay couples.

Sincerely,

Donald Fields

LPSF,

Maybe, I am an odd bird.

Yep, sorry. But you're still welcome here. :slight_smile:

Unlike the advocates of state-sanctioned gay marriage, one of my

goals in life is to be completely off government's radar screen.

Most of us are in careers where being "completely off government's
radar screen" simply is not possible. My employer is heavily
regulated and taxed by the government, with my wages withheld for
taxes every paycheck. The fact that my Massachusetts marriage license
was not honored here in California until today meant that I could not
claim Kai as my dependent, which means that my tax withholdings on
every single paycheck is higher than it should be. My health
insurance is through an HMO via my employer, and HMOs are not just
regulated by government -- indeed, HMOs are inventions of government.
  Private, unregulated alternatives (other than self-insurance, which
is impossible if you're not extremely wealthy), simply do not exist,
because they're illegal.

No, for those of us who work normal jobs, we're unfortunately stuck
with government -- probably for the rest of our lives. So the
important question is whether for the rest of our lives we're willing
to face discrimination by government in the provision of services and
benefits -- which we pay equal taxes for (or even higher taxes when
our dependents aren't recognized). I, for one, am not willing to let
that discrimination continue, and I'm extremely pleased that my
marriage is now recognized here. If anything, it lightens the weight
of the government's boot on my neck from what it currently is.

Rob