Posted by
Gregory L. Vince on Friday, July 07, 2006 12:07:15 PM
Democract National Committe Chairman, Howard Dean is back in the news. This time Dr. Dean has decided to take on the New York Court of Appeals, who yesterday ruled that the state contistution does not guarantee the right of same sex couples to marry. Dr. Dean issued the following statement:
"As Democrats, we believe that every American has a right to equal protection under the law and to live in dignity. And we must respect the right of every family to live in dignity with equal rights, responsibilities and protections under the law. Today's decision by the New York Court of Appeals, which relies on outdated and bigoted notions about families, is deeply disappointing, but it does not end the effort to achieve this goal."
While the good doctor certainly has a right to his opinion and makes a good case for those in favor of judicial activism and overturning what has been voted on already. Yet where he goes wrong is that he was on the 700 Club, where he cailms that the Democratic platorm specifically states that marriage is between a man and a woman. I haven't the time or the stomach to read the official party platform, but I guess it is much more convenient to take shots at the judges (and why not?) than the party of which you are the chairman of.
I despise government activism from all branches, which often puts me at odds with my own party, who has recently decided to fiddle with the Constitution and federally ban flag burning and gay marraige. I had it brought up in a debate the other day, that gay couples should be subject to the same benefits as married couples. I know of many companies who provide benefits to gay couples already. As for tax breaks and economic benefits, I don't necessarily support this incentive for married couples either. A vote to grant these benefits to gays would be a step in the wrong direction. It may be fair, but it isn't right. Government should have stayed out of marraige all together, and leave it to the church.