California

It seems to me, after thoughtful reflection, that smokers have at least two things in common with gay people. Both groups pay higher taxes, smokers have an exorbitant sales tax on tobacco products, and gay people are denied marital options on their income tax. Smokers and gay people face similar discrimination when it comes to health insurance also.

On the political level gay rights are about money, and those issues should be addressed. It is an unfortunate truth, however, that there just isn't room for the gay marriage issue at the federal level at this point in time.

If you followed Barack Obama through his first 100 days, then you know he's a pretty busy guy. North Korea is being a pain and the Somali pirates have been upstaged by a Supreme Court Justice nomination. The auto industry problems are not helping Wall Street. I'm sorry gay people, but there is nothing wrong with gay marriage being decided on a State by State basis. Decisions are being made.

Compromises, however, still need to be negotiated. Perhaps states who vote against gay marriage should not be allowed to charge a state income tax. That would at least give gay people some tax relief, which is one of the things they are asking for. Sorry California.

There's a lot of talk right now about restructuring the way California operates. They might want to take a look at the money section I wrote earlier if they need a few ideas getting started, but California has a lot of creative people living there, surely they can come up with something better than another federal bailout.

I remember hearing about several states that turned down their portion of the recovery money. Perhaps we could use the money they rejected to help California. Perhaps California will legalize and tax marijuana.

Every state contributes to the federal process, but every state also has the right to it's own individuality. We don't all have to be alike. It's okay that we're different.

Gay people can get married in Vermont and Iowa and last time I checked we honor marriages from each other's states. I know that's not a perfect solution, but for right now, could we just be happy with it? Personally, I think gay people will win the battle if they simply get gay marriage to be legal in Vegas.

I will say that I do not support the issue of gay marriage on the federal level at any point in time, simply because it is not an issue that can separate church and state no matter how hard it tries. The money arguments are in fact a matter of civil rights, however, the marriage aspect is historically a religous sacrament instituted by churches. I do not believe any church should be forced or coerced into performing marriages that go against their church doctrine. You have to keep in mind that the U.S. of A. was founded on freedom of religion. The Mormons have a right to their beliefs, as do the Catholics, the Methodists, the Muslims and the Jews.

I realize some people believe being gay is a choice and some people believe being gay is matter of biology. It seems to me that being gay is much like being an alcoholic. Nobody chooses to be an alcoholic, however, a lot of people choose not to drink. Those who know they are alcoholics and choose to drink anyway suffer the consequences of their own actions.

I suppose it might be different if being gay were acceptable worldwide, but it isn't. In some countries being gay is punishable by death. Even the ancient Greeks who promoted homosexuality among men in order for older men to teach younger men about sex believed that after a certain age homosexuality was not acceptable, according to Plato's Republic. And just so we're clear, Plato's Republic was the first major work ever written on the subject of political philosophy some 2500 years ago, before the existence of Christianity.


I don't believe gay people should have to pay higher taxes, or face job discrimination, or be the victims of hate, but then I'm a smoker.

Copyright © 2009 Annette Fortunato

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