chmara and rachaella:
The chances of a Constitutional Amendment defining "marriage" becoming a reality are between zero and zero. Nothing but pure political diatribe in a presidential election year. Proposing an amendment to the Constitution requires 2/3 of both houses or 2/3 of all state legislatures concurring to just convene an amendment convention. "Marriage" amendment? 2/3? Not going to happen. Even if the convention were to come to fruition, it would then take 3/4 of both houses or of the states to concur before ratification. Once again, pure political b.s.
Constitutional amendments aside, this does not mean that I believe this issue to be a non-important one; just as I agree with chmara concerning the lack of interest in, respect and desire to keep the precious liberties our forefathers so painstakingly laid out for us.
I admire those who stand up and fight for their rights, and the passion and understanding of just how important it is to do so, or risk losing the liberty most seem to be unaware of these days, at least in my observations. The marriage, homosexual, and religious issues mentioned here, however, are but a small piece of the entire picture.. albeit topics that do bring out the emotions and intolerance in some who feel either the Government is not doing enough or is overstepping its authority. I fail to see any real threat at this time in America any more so than throughout our history concerning the opposing views and vocal rhetoric so familiar to topics such as these.
Just as rachaella cries out against homophobic intolerance, she fears erosion of a woman's right to reproductive choice, but at the same time, seemingly favors government to recognize same sex marriages. Thus the reason for the conflict; you wish to not keep your opinions to yourselves and feel you must verbally fight the right wing fundies. While claiming blatant bigotry on their part, you unknowingly are playing the same game they started but neither side controls--and never will because this is exactly the situation those atop Capitol hill want the vocal elements of the electorate to be in. One where elections are won and lost over that "swing" vote based on these unsolvable by government issues.
Diverting the public's attention from the issues the politicians do have some control over is old news, but for some reason thus far the media and the public have seem to forgotten or maybe just want to forget about national security, the economy and taxes.
Maybe both candidates, Bush and Kerry, are purposely not speaking about platforms and issues because regardless of which is elected, there are certain things guaranteed to occur in the next five years: Even larger increases in annual federal spending and revenue collection; the National Debt will increase by more than $1.4 trillion the next 5 years, and these are low estimates.
The Fed estimates revenues of $13.1 trillion, outlays of $14.5 trillion over the next 5 years.
To put this in perspective, from 1974- 2003, in 20 years of time, total Federal revenue was $30.6 trillion, outlays $33.9 trillion, total deficit of $3.3 trillion.
And the public is battling it out over whether homosexuals can legally marry? It is, and should be forever a NON-FEDERAL government issue. When I married, I don't recall having to obtain a FEDERAL marriage license! Not to downgrade the aforementioned issues, but folks, this country, in a very short period of time, even with avoiding further attacks, is economically spiraling out of control, and the only solution on the books right now is to....... INCREASE REVENUE, INCREASE SPENDING, INCREASE DEFICITS. This cannot continue.
It is time to hold all political candidates and elected officials up in the media spotlight and ask the serious questions now being so cleverly avoided. All I read and hear about is what government program, service or entitlement should be thrown at the public trough simply to get elected. How is our current medical care and, education system just to name a few? Soon, our politicians will not fear voting in massive tax increases because there will simply not be any alternative, short of collapse or revolt. But at least some of you might be able to legally marry or abort an unwanted child.
