vauge said:
What gets accomplished by allowing it?
I can think of
1049 of 'em to start off with.
According to a report given to the Office of the General Counsel of the U.S. General Accounting Office, here are a few of the 1,049 benefits the United States government provides to legally married couples:
Access to Military Stores
Assumption of Spouse’s Pension
Bereavement Leave
Immigration
Insurance Breaks
Medical Decisions on Behalf of Partner
Sick Leave to Care for Partner
Social Security Survivor Benefits
Sick Leave to Care for Partner
Tax Breaks
Veteran’s Discounts
Visitation of Partner in Hospital or Prison
Here are a few of the state level benefits within the United States:
Assumption of Spouse’s Pension
Automatic Inheritance
Automatic Housing Lease Transfer
Bereavement Leave
Burial Determination
Child Custody
Crime Victim’s Recovery Benefits
Divorce Protections
Domestic Violence Protection
Exemption from Property Tax on Partner’s Death
Immunity from Testifying Against Spouse
Insurance Breaks
Joint Adoption and Foster Care
Joint Bankruptcy
Joint Parenting (Insurance Coverage, School Records)
Medical Decisions on Behalf of Partner
Certain Property Rights
Reduced Rate Memberships
Sick Leave to Care for Partner
Visitation of Partner’s Children
Visitation of Partner in Hospital or Prison
Wrongful Death (Loss of Consort) Benefits
vauge said:
The opposite arguement applies. IMO, it will lessen the institution of marriage. Less folks (gay or not) will want to marry. It is getting worse by the day. And like you, I believe a strong marriage strengthens the family and therefore strengthens America as a whole.
Alright, these are your claims, now you have to prove them. Please bring statistics that prove yor claim that less folks want to marry. Massachusetts, Canada, Spain, etc. are working laboratories for this experiment.
vauge said:
Again, (from a previous discussion), I can see and understand civil partnerships for legal means. But, don't take away my proud definition of marriage.
You're welcome to define marriage as you wish personally. I have a different definition of celebrating xmas than you do, or your neighbor does. Does that change the meaning of xmas or just the personal preference of what it means?
The question remains, why does politically correct terminology make you stop inferring rights on to gays? If you'd be willing to give gays the rights to civil unions that would confer the same 1049 benefits, why should the difference between, oh, let's say:
african-american and black be the part that stops it?