As a presidential candidate, Mr. Obama said he would “fight hard” for the rights of gay couples. As a senator, he sponsored legislation that would have provided health benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.
Now, Mr. Obama is in a tough spot. If he supports the personnel office on denying benefits to the San Francisco court employees, he risks agitating liberal groups that helped him win election. If he supports the judges and challenges the marriage act, he risks alienating Republicans with whom he is seeking to work on economic, health care and numerous other matters.
I know everything is political but lets face it, this decision, as do most, comes down to basic right and wrong. Is it okay to deny medical benefits to the 20-year gay partner of a federal employee? Is it okay to give medical benefits to a newly-wed heterosexual couple?
I'm going to go ski and contemplate how I can get away from this jargon.
3 comments:
politics has taken over. there is no honesty, no "do the right thing", in our leadership anymore. we fail to demand enough of our leaders. they should think about the "people" rather than the other political groups. every decision is based on being reelected, buddy. it's a bigger disappointment than finding about santa claus and the easter bunny. it's about the perpetuation of the political life of the politician. you and i don't matter other than at election time.
hope you're having a good time out there!
I am having a great time Blue, not to worry about that.
If we are failing to demand more, how do we change that? Elect leaders that don't care about politics (e.g. Ed Fallon)? I think people try but can never succeed. Can I just move to Europe, the parliamentary system has seemed to work for a few hundred years. Why can't we take that example and use it.
i guess that the first thing that has to happen is "the people" have to care about the system. when that happens, the people will vote the "non-performers" out in short order. that will send the message that the politicians work for us. perhaps term limits for the house and senate is the answer? i still think that the majority of americans don't care until it effects them directly as an individual. the answer to that? we could start by teaching civics and government in the schools again so that people understand how the system is supposed to work and how it can work if people take an interest in it. ahhhhh well. keep enjoying yourself!
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