What's Gay Marriage Got To Do With You?

"Everybody's out to get me but I feel alright/Because everybody's thinking about me."

- Jim Infantino

image courtesty of www.manolobrides.com

I've said before that I'm fairly liberal, but I do understand many conservative positions. For example, while I disagree, I can understand that pro-life people feel that they are preventing murder. I really do get it. I have also had a friend who needed to end her pregnancy at week 12-1/2 because the fetus had a condition that wouldn't allow it to develop a brain, resulting in a 0% chance of life outside her body. Ending that pregnancy devastated her. It wasn't convenience. It was what needed to happen and the law of the land shouldn't have made it harder on her.

Despite my strong feelings, I do understand that pro-life position.

However, I don't understand the problem with Same-Sex Marriage.

I listen to arguments like it hurts the the institution of marriage. I think cheating hurts the institution of marriage. I think inability to communicate to your partner hurts the institution of marriage. I could even make an argument that The Bachelor hurts the institution of marriage. But how do the gays hurt it? More committed people demonstrating great partnerships seems only beneficial to me.

Then there's the argument that it would cost small businesses money because of health insurance for spouses. Wouldn't anyone getting married cost them money? I'm finding it hard to believe that businesses are making a practice of hiring gays because it keeps health insurance premiums low.

In fact, I think more people getting married would put some additional money in city coffers as they apply for licenses and have ceremonies performed. Not to mention the additional revenue for caterers, tux rentals, photographers. Weddings are big business.

At the end of the day, I am for same-sex marriage because I believe people should all have the same freedoms. A couple of gals sharing a bed and a life isn't killing anyone. It's not even costing anyone money.

Even Don't Ask, Don't Tell (which should be repealed now, by the way) has some almost legitimate concerns. You don't want distrust and disharmony on the battlefield. Although I argue that asking people to lie is where distrust starts, I can see reason to at least consider this objection.

But where is the harm of legalizing marriage for the couple down the street?

If your marriage is being hurt by the relationships of people you don't even know, it's not the gays causing your problems. It's you.

We need a hero

I think President Obama has been given a rough deal. He’s been dealing with an economic meltdown, a never-ending war and the BP spill.

I’m sympathetic, but only to a point.

You’re the President of the United States, dude. It’s not all pomp and circumstance.

That said, I think he has tried to do a good job, and I’m mostly supportive of what he’s done. But he’s really losing me on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

78% of Americans favor ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

Soldiers favor it. So do most of the top brass.

Admitedly, the Marine Corps Commandant has come out against changing it while we’re at war.

I think that’s why we need to change it.

First of all, the war on terror is not a typical war. It’s more like the war on drugs. It’s a concept. There will always be new skirmishes, new fields of battle. Some gay soldiers are our most skilled. Why would we toss them out when we need them most? Asking them to lie to their colleagues and commanding officers is offensive and certainly a bad precedent.

Any solider who can’t follow orders and treat their fellow soldiers with respect are the ones who should go.

That said, I think the military will handle this just fine. It’s the President who concerns me.

I get it, it’s better to change policies through Congress than the courts.

But that doesn’t seem to be an option.

However, there is a very good option available to Obama. A chance to do the right thing AND be presidential.

As Commander-in-Chief, he can order the military to suspend the practice until Congress is ready to make it official.

We need a leader, President Obama. This is your chance to show that you are one.