On The Civil Unions Thing...

[WillyT]

You know how one theory has it that politicians will not take courageous steps when it comes to things that deal with money... since they do not want to see the money they need to run... dry up ???

This theory has it that, while courageous... the repealing of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" does not really impact anything financial... in the minds of those that say such things.

So... the monied opposition is rather meek.

As opposed to financial reform, or defunding the military.

But my question to you all is... this fight about Gay Marriage, seems now, to come with this strange side-car... the repealing of established Civil Union Laws...

Which, like Gay Marriage has the potential to effect financial entities...

So... are they using the Gay Scare to get rid of health care, survivor, tax, etc. benefits for folks while most people are not looking ???

Anybody... anybody ???

Hope that all made sense...

[HillWilliam]

1. I've wondered the same thing

What happens if a few hundred thousand couples can suddenly file as married (lowering their tax burden).

I had an interesting (short) conversation with an old boss of mine, a Republican, but one of the reasonable ones. He said he didn't think s/s marriage was such a big deal since at the end of the day "marriage" is still (bottom-line) a financial arrangement. I applauded the forward thinking but as the conversation progressed, it occurred to him that way gayfolk had been paying for str8 people's child-rearing tax credits all along, but we got no direct benefit from the investment. That's where he began backing up -- he started to dig his heels in at the thought of someone else paying for his tax breaks.

He didn't like the idea of a potential loss of that financial boon. Somebody had to pay for it and I let it be known I didn't appreciate having to pay for it AND still be a second-class citizen.

Yes, I do believe the hidden agenda in resistance to s/s marriage is the fact that the repubs like their tax bennies and the fact that someone else is being the mule to haul the freight. Anything that disturbs that sweet arrangement pisses them off.