Prop 8 - my little rant

I don't typically take much interest in politics.  Let's be honest, this past election was only the 2nd time I've ever voted.  In general I'm very analytical and pretty good at seeing both sides of an argument.  I am typically "on the fence" about most issues.

So here's the deal, I can't see the other side to Prop 8.  I very rarely feel this way about anything.

Here are my thoughts, in no particular order:

1.  If you can make some people better off without making others worse off, then you might as well.  My life will stay the same and remain completely unchanged regardless.

2.  For those that argue that marriage is sacred and special - the divorce rate in America is approximately 50%; a 50% success rate isn't very good.  And then there's Britney Spears and her Vegas marriage (and subsequent annulment) to that guy....nothing about that seems sacred.

3.  The state supreme court justices did not "impose" gay marriage on anyone. They are appointed to interpret the constitution, and their interpretation of "equal protection" meant equal protection for everyone.  The constitution was purposely vague.  The justices are not left wing activists, they are well educated individuals.

4.  There's an argument that prop 8 would redefine marriage and it does.  But who really cares? If you think the definition is wrong, don't worry about it.  If you think it will somehow lessen the significance of your heterosexual marriage, you might be forgetting that marriage is about love.  Would you really love your spouse any less knowing a gay couple in San Francisco entered in the same loving contract? 

5. Proponents of Prop 8 often site religious reasons for why they believe gay marriage is wrong and should be banned.  We have separation of church and state for this reason: the rights of the minority can't be trampled on by people with different beliefs.  Plus, if you believe homosexuality is wrong, you likely believe homosexuals will burn in hell for their sins anyway. Your belief isn't going to stop them from being gay.  And since that's the case, why not let them enjoy married life on this earth if that's what they want to do before their inevitable eternal damnation? 

6.  At one point in history (not all that long ago), interracial marriage was banned.  Looking back, I think most people would agree that the ban was wrong (if you don't, we are longer friends).

7.  California failed to pass Prop 8 but successfully passed Prop 2 (giving chickens and other farm animals --that we are going to kill for food -- more rights).  What's even more disgusting is the estimated millions of dollars spent on the Yes on 8 campaign, with the sole purpose of taking rights away from American citizens.  Imagine the myriad better uses for that money -- feeding the hungry, curing disease, saving the planet.  Shoot, burning it would have been more productive than using it to etch hate into the constitution.

To be honest, I don't plan on getting married anytime soon.  To me, it's just a piece of paper.  A ring would be nice, but who needs a government contract to prove their love and commitment to each other. And let's be honest, Nick and I already have a 30 year contract - the mortgage.