Politics

October 14, 2008 - Politics
I try to still above the political fray. That doesn’t mean I avoid talking about politics with others, but I rarely actively campaign for any candidate or proposition, etc. But, lately I have felt compelled to comment on some of the inconsistent and just plain dumb ones I have encountered during this campaign season.
The most vivid today is California’s proposition 8 which is a reaction to the California appellate court’s decision upholding same sex marriages. If this proposition is passed it will codify the proposition which was passed 8 years which did the same thing.
This week the ads for and against the proposition are running night and day. The ads against have become really annoying. The latest one I’ve heard asks people to vote against he proposition and keep government out of our personal lives. Now, that is ridiculous when you consider the history of this issue. Same sex weddings only became legal and valid in California after a lawsuit and a ruling by an appellate court. If that isn’t government action and interference in the issue I don’t know what it.
I have had several discussions with others on this issue. I hear things like, "they already have domestic partnerships which give them all the same rights, what else do they need?" "Same sex marriage is immoral." "Banning same sex marriage is the denial of a personal, civil right, the right to marry."
I guess my response is that we are talking about a civil union, one recognized by the courts and laws of the state. Personally, I understood that is what the domestic partnerships accomplished.
One of the most disturbing things I have heard is that if this proposition is defeated then gay marriage will be taught in the schools as a legitimate option. I’m sorry but I don’t want my kids taught that boys can marry boys and girls can marry girls in school. Let them learn about those things on the playground instead of the classroom.
Like any touchy subject this proposition has caused some controversy. Last week I received a forwarded email that said people were stealing yard signs for yes on proposition 8. Then last night on the news the lead story was about a man who was passing out yes on proposition 8 signs who was beaten.
Ridiculous.