David Frum: Why Do We Need Marriage Equality?

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Reproduced in full. Highlights are mine.

Why Do We Need Marriage Equality?

I speak here today as one of the more than 130 Republicans and conservatives who signed Ken Mehlman's brief in favor of equal marriage rights.

Republicans and Democrats have enough to disagree about - no shortage. Yet there are some issues that are the property of no one party. The freedom of every American to pursue happiness under the law - that promise signed in the Declaration of Independence so many years ago is the promise that is coming true in our time.

For a conservative, the remarkable thing about the movement for same-sex marriage is that it is a civil rights movement that is less about claiming rights than it is about accepting responsibilities.

Marriage is a source of great joy. But - and I speak as one who'll celebrate a 25th anniversary this summer - it's also a solemn undertaking: an undertaking to care for another person, to nurse that person when ill, to sustain her or him in time of trouble, to raise children together, to provide for those children, to mourn when it comes time to mourn.

No agency of government can ever begin to do for anyone what loving spouses do for each other. The stronger our families are, of every kind of family, the less government we’ll need.

Today your families gather before this house of the law to claim the right to live as others do, without shame and without fear.

The mind of a nation is changing. It's an awesome thing to see - and to be part of. Your words - your actions -and your example have power. And will overcome.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Meh. Anything that increases options is good. Anything that takes away options is bad. How that is evaluated is a valid topic for discussion.

[Darnell 8,478]

Marriage Equality? OK - how about this one? If a wife kills her husband with a shotgun blast, she should get off scot free.

Put that into law, watch the equality IN Marriage change over the next 6 years.

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Marriage Equality? OK - how about this one? If a wife kills her husband with a shotgun blast, she should get off scot free.

Put that into law, watch the equality IN Marriage change over the next 6 years.

You forgot to activate your gibberish-to-english translator before posting again.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Marriage Equality? OK - how about this one? If a wife kills her husband with a shotgun blast, she should get off scot free.

Put that into law, watch the equality IN Marriage change over the next 6 years.

Another Darnell post that has nothing to do with anything.

[Danno 1,228]

But it is not equality, not when you are still turning others away, this step is simply "changing the definition" of marriage to expand it's meaning to include SS couples.

When definitions are this fluid, .... real marriage equality will be right behind it, yet by then the word marriage will have little meaning.

But then again we all know it';s not about marriage but rather advancement of the movement.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

But it is not equality, not when you are still turning others away, this step is simply "changing the definition" of marriage to expand it's meaning to include SS couples.

When definitions are this fluid, .... real marriage equality will be right behind it, yet by then the word marriage will have little meaning.

But then again we all know it';s not about marriage but rather advancement of the movement.

How does allowing same sex couples to marry reduce the meaning of the word marriage? Does the ridiculous divorce rate in this country harm the institution of marriage? Marrying for money, fame, marrying someone on TV that you don't know ... does that impact the word marriage to you? Or are those acceptable?

It is about marriage. It is about same sex couples being treated equally to heterosexual couples. And there is no reason to deny them that equality.

Edited March 26, 2013 by Evylin

[Ban Hammer 12,850]

Marriage Equality? OK - how about this one? If a wife kills her husband with a shotgun blast, she should get off scot free.

Put that into law, watch the equality IN Marriage change over the next 6 years.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

It is about marriage. It is about same sex couples being treated equally to heterosexual couples. And there is no reason to deny them that equality.

Exactly!

[Darnell 8,478]

But it is not equality, not when you are still turning others away, this step is simply "changing the definition" of marriage to expand it's meaning to include SS couples.

When definitions are this fluid, .... real marriage equality will be right behind it, yet by then the word marriage will have little meaning.

But then again we all know it';s not about marriage but rather advancement of the movement.

It's legal in Canada.

Can also immigrate a SS spouse or fiance, to Canada, also.

The government support system for children of SS couples, in Canada, is STELLAR !!!

Seriously - why to make this a USA issue? Canada has such a better support system in place, legal issues are moot there.

US Congress should have a 20,000 usd voucher program set up for all SS couples that permanently migrate to Canada, to assist with the move.

Canada Rocks !

[Penny Lane 8,159]

[Teddy B 17,251]

Sometimes my language usage seems confusing - please feel free to 'read it twice', just in case !

[Darnell 8,478]

yup yup !

yup yup !

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US Congress should have a 20,000 usd voucher program set up for all SS couples that permanently migrate to Canada, to assist with the move.

Wouldn't you rather keep all those taxpayers in the country?

Remember, homosexuals are statistically much less likely to be on welfare and much more likely to be productive members of society.

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

I read it twice, repressing my gag reflex both times, and I think I gleaned this: ship all the gheys to Canada because MURKA. Get the federal government to pay $$$$$$ to do this.

Is that right?