Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Where Does Marriage Belong?

No where in the Constitution does it set out any grounds for rules regarding marriage. So, by the Tenth Amendment, those rights are either reserved to the states or to the people. As of now, the states control the marriage of institution by requiring a license to be married. Only a priest (or justice, but that's another story) can marry someone, and the state can literally decide for themselves whether or not two people can marry. Should the government have this kind of power?

Of course not, that is absolutely insane; the government should never have this kind of power.

Marriage, as an institution, should be in the hands of the citizens. Essentially, we should "privatize" marriage. Relationships between two people are private, and not the business of the government. You shouldn't need a license to be married, and you shouldn't have to perform a religious ceremony to be married.

If we privatize marriage, then natural rights could emerge; especially for those who don't have them under the state-run marriage system. If a gay or lesbian couple wanted to get married, then they could because the government doesn't have the authority to say no. Same thing for every other type of relationship. No matter how bizarre they are, you don't have a right to legislate what you believe is the right form of marriage. These people have natural rights, one of which is the right to a personal relationship.

Marriage belongs in the home. There, two (or, I guess more) people can love and care for each other without having to go through a bureaucracy. People would be free to love as they please. Get the government out of marriage, and we will all be better off.


LGBT Month

President Obama has declared the month of June to be LGBT Month, to celebrate those of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual communities. A lot of the LGBT community seems to be pretty happy with the decision, too. All I have to say is: whoop-di-freekin'-do. You're not any closer to gaining the freedom you desire, I'm sorry to say.

We've had a LGBT History Month since 1994. Now, we have two months out of the year devoted to them. Even with all this "advancement", what has changed? Has Congress granted anyone any liberty? Has the President repealed Don't Ask, Don't Tell? Adding a month to the calendar to say "Yay gay people!" is not going to get you anywhere.

The President is playing politics with you. That's right, you're being played. The climate in Washington is not in any way, shape, or form favorable to the idea of LGBT people having any sort of marriage or family rights. If Obama did that, he and his party could face major voter backlash and they could potentially lose a lot in the coming election. By creating this "month" to celebrate the community, he's simply drawing attention elsewhere. Gay people will be satisfied that they have a month, and no one can say the President didn't do anything about it. It's a win-win for him, but ultimately it was just another move in the game of politics. He could wave a magic wand and end the policy or support legislation, but he won't.

Barack Obama is not your hero. He has not done anything for you, and this month means nothing to gay rights. Celebrate, sure, but know that you haven't gained any ground on the issue. A lot of work needs to be done.