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Mercnbeth -> RE: Homosexual’s marriages… (10/18/2006 11:56:06 AM)
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If anyone is interested in the pragmatic aspects of this issue read on.
Same sex marriage is not a civil rights issue. Civil right laws for minorities or any group are created when a person from one group has access to a commodity that a person from another group does not. That test holds true for all civil rights laws in place concerning hiring practices, promotions, housing, and lending. Some laws make some minority groups "more equal" such as the quotas set in place for hiring in civil service positions or college placement; in an effort to make up for a past injustice. However, the goal and the common denominator for all injustice correcting laws on the books is to give equal access to all. For this reason, it will be difficult to argue through the US Supreme Court the "right" to marry a same sex partner. Currently everyone in the US has the right to marry an opposite sex partner. Asking to marry a same sex partner is not asking for equality, it's asking for a new "right".
So what? Why is this a problem? Why can't there be same sex marriages? Why shouldn't homosexuals have the ability to be as miserable or happy as the rest of married folk? As most issues in the US the answer is $$$$$.
Although health care benefits provided by an employer may becoming rare, the largest US employer has them in place. Civil service positions from the national to local level commonly provide free, or low cost heath coverage for the employee and spouse. The ability for same sex partners to marry would exponentially increase the cost of coverage for the employer. In the case of government workers, it would increase the taxes necessary to support the program. But based upon any agreed upon percentage of gay individuals in the US the number of affected people should not be large enough to make an impact. But what requirement will be necessary to "prove" your gay-ness for a married same sex union? Most likely the same proof required when two "straight" people are married - none. Two friends can get married just so one, who is ill, can have access to health care. Hell, I'd do it for a friend in that circumstance, and I'm a cold heartless bastard!
Add into the equation the tax benefit. Two people living in the same residence as room mates making approximately the same a amount of money can save a minimum of 35% by filing as a "married" couple. Hell again! BECAUSE I'm a cold hearted and calculating bastard I'd do that! Compound the issue of lost estate tax revenue and all the other benefits that marriage provides and the money aspect of this issue is HUGE!
If you want a law allowing for same sex marriage you can go down a path that eliminates the obstacles. A flat tax rate, a national universal health program, and elimination of the estate tax would go a long way. Obviously these issues are for another thread.
As an individual I fully support and feel empathy for those in love who can't marry because they are of the same sex. However they are not being discriminated against. They have the same rights as every other US citizen. I recognize the frustration of the situation, but pragmatically, that's the way it is.
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