Just a short rant. Proposition 8ish.

[joegoda]

I am, quite simply, puzzled and perplexed by human 'nature' at times.

Marriage, in and of itself, seems pretty unnatural to me, regardless of it's sexual orientation. It is, in fact, NOT natural... it is a man-made thing. I marvel at all of the hullabaloo and wonder when people will just quit arguing about what their neighbor is doing that causes them no harm. As it hurt none, allow it and focus on what is really important. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

I understand the legal ramifications of it. The benefits and attachments that go with being legally married. It is the fundamental reason that *I* am still married, regardless of my wife living 145 miles away. Our marriage allows her to continue to receive insurance coverage and there is a certain amount of emotional security in something that is a legal and binding contract.

Ask anyone that has been screwed out of contract. It is very much the same as a marriage. There are certain things assumed in making such a bond, and the law *should* protect all parties involved. Perhaps a marriage should be looked at more like a business than anything else. Partners in and incorporated business are covered under law, very much the same as partners in a marriage. Of course, that is a very simplistic viewpoint... but I bet at the basis, it is exactly the same. Perhaps, if Prop 8, determines that marriage is between opposite sexes, then those of non-heterosexual lifestyles may find their own loophole by incorporating as a partnership. I don't know... I'm not a business attorney. But it might be something to look into.

As to the argument that it is destroying the 'traditional' marriage... *sigh*... How so? It seems to me that traditional marriage doesn't really need any help in destroying itself. I'm aware of all the 'moral' arguments, and feel they are, in a word, crap. All those arguments do is tell me that the proponents of 'traditional' marriage have a deep seated insecurity that they simply won't measure up. Those 'traditional' marriages will hold or not, regardless of outcome of the proposition 8 vote.

Love SHOULD be the issue. Nobody can regulate or legislate that, no matter how they try. And believe me... it has been tried, and it has failed. It is the basis of most, if not all, romantic stories.

As for me, I don't live in California, but I can definitely see the entire country... and quite likely the world watching this to see how the vote turns out. Legislating morality by using a legal loophole that redefines a word that was created to mean "a couple voluntarily joined for life" seems like a cheap shot created by those who hold themselves to be above reproach. Next they will be defining the word "people" or "person". I certainly hope I fit the definition.

Comments

[hdsqrl.livejournal.com]

Well said, and I completely agree. *applauds*

[ladybarnard.livejournal.com]

Erm...I hate to tell you this, but Colorado has a ballot measure (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96167092&ft=1&f=1001) up this year that *does* attempt to define the term "person." It's hellaciously frightening.

[joegoda.livejournal.com]

And it's being promoted by a 21 year old woman. My question to her would be very simple. "Do you have a child, or do you look at every baby as being the cutest thing in the world, just like the dolls you used to play with less than a decade ago?" Claiming that a fertilized egg is a person. *sigh* A person, by the inclusion of the root, would have to have a personality. It would be the same as calling a seed a carrot.

Once again legislature is trying to dictate morality by using the loophole of absurdity to justify it's decision. We do, indeed, live in interesting times.

[tapestry01.livejournal.com]

Florida is also voting on a "marriage protection amendment" much like Proposition 8.

[joegoda.livejournal.com]

Yeah.. but that's Florida. I mean... it's Florida

[ladyegreen.livejournal.com]

*Gives you a hug.*

Frightful business is it not?

I hope we are all about to emerge into brighter times.

[joegoda.livejournal.com]

Frightful? Perhaps. The same sort of frightful that teething pains in a newborn is. To me, that's what this is, darling Peddler. The human race as an individual is starting to look around and see other individuals separate from itself, different from itself, and deciding how to accept them. Granted, it's been going on for a couple of hundred years, but that's okay. Growing up takes time. We'll get there.

[rowangolightly.livejournal.com]

There ya go being a reasonable, rational human being again, my dear.

You and I are too Heinlein-esque for our own good sometimes. Which means, of course, that I believe with you. Excepting of course, that I think marriage can work if two people are determined that it shall.

[joegoda.livejournal.com]

You and I also agree on the marriage thing, too. But then, it's not a marriage, except in the legal sense. It's a union, a partnership derived from Love rather than convenience. Granted, there were times and still are, arranged marriages. My grandparents on my mother's side was such a marriage and it lasted 50+ years.

Marriages do, indeed, work at times... but NOT because of the word or the legal definition of the word. Marriages work because of the bond between the parties involved. I'm not still married to Linda just because I'm a nice guy, because I'm not. There is still a very deep friendship there, regardless of me being able to be around her for more than 2 days at a time.

In this sense, I would say that I'm married to you, to Tim, to Sherry, to April, Amber, Bob, Kim, even Star.... Pretty much married to all that I love as deeply as I do, because that is how I deem it to be.

Legal? Nope, not in the least. I couldn't support another single living person on what I make, and I know I'm hard as hell to live with. But from the heart? Very definitely am I married to a whole, whole buncha people.

[rowangolightly.livejournal.com]

Yep, we do agree...but then, that's not surprising at all, is it?

[decembertyger.livejournal.com]

Well said. I've been saying pretty much the same thing all along.
Contracts and wills can get around it if they don't allow "same sex marriage" but why should they have to jump through those hoops because they are the same sex...