Monday, October 23, 2006
Proposition 107
The Arizona Republic:
It is not my place here and now to cast a personal partisan vote. I do believe however, as I have stated in the past, that the majority of this country are moderate, while only the few, the proud and the ignorant are those with enough campaign money to buy the megaphones. With that in mind, I will pounce on any opportunity that may arise, to take the initiatives of either the too far left or too far right, and put them in more moderate terms; so that we may have some idea of exactly what it is we are voting on.
For more on the Pro/Con debate look here and here.
In November, Arizona voters will be asked to decide on 19 initiatives, on issues from state trust land to public smoking. But no measure strikes the emotional chord of Proposition 107, known as Protect Marriage Arizona.Though I haven't found same sex marriage to be as prevalent as say illegal immigration in this state, it's not surprising that it is an issue as Arizona leans a little to the right. However, I think it is important to note one thing from this article:
On its surface, the initiative is about gay marriage. But it's also about morality and religion, sex and family, politics and health insurance, the role of government in setting a moral tone and the right of individuals to find happiness in their relationships.
Con: Same-sex marriage is illegal in Arizona. The real impact of the initiative will be to take away domestic-partner benefits, such as health insurance, from the partners of hundreds of government employees, gay and straight.This is true. It is perfectly illegal to have a same sex marriage in this state. So while I offer no indication of my own personal stance on this issue, I do think it is important to illuminate the proposition with some clarification, call a spade a spade and decide whether we are willing to take away any and all opportunity of government assistance for people in same sex relationships. When put in more moderate and rational terms such as these, effectively shedding some of the religious stigma associated with homosexuals; it is not so black and white.
It is not my place here and now to cast a personal partisan vote. I do believe however, as I have stated in the past, that the majority of this country are moderate, while only the few, the proud and the ignorant are those with enough campaign money to buy the megaphones. With that in mind, I will pounce on any opportunity that may arise, to take the initiatives of either the too far left or too far right, and put them in more moderate terms; so that we may have some idea of exactly what it is we are voting on.
For more on the Pro/Con debate look here and here.
