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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo
It is time to take a moment to again reflect on just how much progress has been made on the issue of marriage equality in the last decade.
Back during the 2008 Democratic primary none of the strongest candidates supported same-sex marriage. Now with the recent endorsement of Hillary Clinton, every Democrat that is viewed as a possible top tier candidate in the 2016 Presidential primary has come out in favor of marriage equality.
Vice President Joe Biden came out in support of same-sex marriage right before President Obama did. Both New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley recently championed same-sex marriage laws in their respective states. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (MA) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand both signed the amicus brief against DOMA.
Every Democratic politician that currently has a decent chance of running for president in 2016 is a strong supporter of marriage equality, and it is probably safe to say that there will never again be a legitimate Democratic candidate for president that doesn’t back same-sex marriage. That is something worth celebrating.
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So, a simple, reasonable, rational, humane, and realistic “sensibility” on the part of “Every Democratic politician that currently has a DECENT chance of running for president in 2016 … is something worth celebrating”?
Shouldn’t that level of sensibility, as well as a sense that the rule of law and the Constitution, all of it, matter and NEED to be supported, as well as a healthy skepticism regarding perpetual war, and a fundamental SYMPATHY and concern for the poor and downtrodden, coupled to a substantial grasp of the capacity of this abused planet to support human existence … be the VERY LEAST which we should expect from ANY and EVERY Democratic presidential candidate, Jon?
Are we so very desperate for lesser evils that we must needs celebrate candidates who, finally, embrace a sensibility not only long supported widespread at FDL but broadly held, for some time, BY a majority “the people”?
Forgive me for not sounding properly thrilled and elated. However, t’would seem you are easily moved to rejoicing … when, in fact neither the Democrats nor the Republicans running for president have begun to approach the understanding, conviction, and demonstrated personal courage of the woman who ran on the Green Party ticket for president, during the recent election, only five months ago? Have we not enough troubles brought on by the current President, a Democrat, including, as you mentioned earlier today, his willingness to slash Social Security, to occupy our thoughts and actions … right now? What is the true value and purpose of such celebration as you now suggest? The next presidential election is YEARS away, and frankly, there is a certain political expediency and calculation, as I perceive it, in the current pronouncements of would-be candidates … a calculation and expediency which are unseemly and damned close to meaningless, unless the ACTIONS of the potential candidates match their convenient rhetoric … on MANY more issues than marriage equality, a important issue, certainly, but not the substance of coherent and broad vision, being, at best only a PART of the larger and very necessary whole.
Celebrate if you wish, yet please keep that celebration in some rational, reasonable, and realistic context … such “backing”, isolated from those other things I mention is pretty thin gruel … One is reminded of a character in a certain novel by Charles Dickens who asked for, ” … more, kind sir, if you please …”
Jon, we, all of us, need (and deserve) more, much more than a few words spoken in support of marriage equality … indeed, humanity cannot survive without it.
When the Democratic candidates for president speak and act more like FDR or the Greens, then and only then, is there any true reason for actual celebration …
That, of course is merely my opinion, yet I consider that I am not alone in such perspective …
DW
something about a barn door and horse comes to mind
Bingo! DW… and you are definitely not alone in your perspective.
What does “Marriage Equality” mean?
Is it any two people that are not already married, and are above the age of consent can Marry each other in the eyes of the law?
What benefit is there to the State recognizing such a relationship?
because the “State” bestows certain rights and benefits. This happens “automatically” with hets. Get married in Nebraska and you still have rights in Florida. Federally there are tax and other benefits.
The “State” is actually the one who recognizes marriage in the first place. Have your friend Bob perform a ceremony at the beach and then later try and get alimony when the relationship goes south.
As it stands now, gays in most instances have to go out of their way in most areas to created a legal paper trail for the simplist things that is automatic for hets.
There are often instances too where people are “common law” married in some areas even if there is no actual marriage and have certain rights and privs that gays also do not enjoy.
If you bought a house, your wife/hubs is automatically on the papers and is a co-owner. For me I have go thru extra steps because in the eyes of the law my spouse is some random 3rd party
Taxes are a big benefit. Married couples, recognized by the Feds, can transfer money between them with.no tax liability and can leave money after death with no taxes between them and, of course, there is the regular taxes and exemptions.