My Thoughts On Gay Marriage And The Court

Now that Gays have the right to marry according to the Supreme Court it's time to put that part of the Gay agenda to rest.  There is no mention of what constitutes a marriage in the Constitution so in essence the Court has made law but it's not unprecedented.

Consider back in the days when it was illegal for blacks and whites to marry.  The Court also changed that. Hopefully somewhere within that decision they will be afforded the same rights as traditional married couples.

Hopefully too, those religions that vigorously disagree will not be forced into preforming marriages for same sex couples. The rights have to be a two way street with respect for truths on both sides.

Obviously I haven't read the decision.  I'm just "musing" about the subject..

Over the years I've found a number of friends who have gay family members and in my circle all have embraced them and their relationships. Why not? You would embrace them if you didn't know their preferences.

I'm sure the LGBT community has other issues that need resolving though I don't know what they are.  Perhaps, though, this Court decision will make it easier for them.

One last thing would make it a triumph for that community.  If somewhere along the line research would find the gene or lack thereof that controls one's sexuality.  That would eliminate the issue of deviancy.  I know from my own cousin who is gay that he knew it at a very early age.  At the age when a young man's fancy would turn to girls or girl's to boys. There was no deviancy - just difference.

You discover you aren't the same as your friends and instinct tells you to keep it to yourself.  That has changed a lot since I was that age.  More and more young people are "coming out" and being honest about their feelings. More importantly more and more families, friends and many in the broader community are accepting.

It will be nice when people no longer have to "come out".  You just are what you are.  It would also be nice if the narrow and traditional definition of marriage would change to encompass anyone who loves another and wants to share a commitment and a life.  A just God, it seems to me, would not frown on a spiritual bond either.

Considering attitudes are changing and acceptance is more wide spread it seems to me the Court has just eliminated the long slog toward equality.  I personally believe it was inevitable. Just let everyone live with love, commitment and happiness regardless of gender.

It shouldn't be political.  It should be just.  And now it is.  

ACA And The Court

So the Supreme Court once again has sided with the administration.  I have mixed feelings because it's setting a precedent with which I'm uncomfortable.

The idea of providing affordable care to the less than affluent is worthy to be sure.  I'm not sure it should have taken a 2000 page bill to accomplish same especially since there are still nuts and bolts clunking around within it.

That said and the fact it is now law is it.  Things should and no doubt will be tweaked over time.  It should not be political but rather what's best for those purchasing their insurance, those providing it and the medical community.

Also, if one state gets government subsidies so should all of them no matter who set up their system.

So what's the problem?  The idea that the way the law was written is now being deferred to intent.  I'd like to think legislators would be more careful of their language in bills of the future but I fear they will not knowing a good lawyer will be able to argue intent over substance.

That would make all legislation tentative until a court rules.  I think it's a dangerous precedent but it's over and done.  It bears watching in the future.

Under a less liberal administration I would like to see legislation that requires laws to be obeyed as written.  Otherwise they will ultimately be useless.  The President has showed us how easy it is to bypass legislation when it has suited his purpose the Supreme Court has given him a pass.  The next step is dictatorship. Caution.  Please.

It's Time To Get A Grip!

So racism is in our DNA according to the President.  Does he mean mine or his?

I have never seen such an emphasis on racial differences since the days of segregation than that which is being imposed on us by this administration from the President and former attorney general on down.

I'm sick and tired of it.  Ashley Banfield even suggested we dismantle the Jefferson Memorial.

Mitch McConnell wants the statue of Jefferson Davis removed from the capitol building in his home state of Kentucky.  Come on!  Taking down the stars and bars is bad enough since it means a lot other then black oppression to many in the south. But if it will help put out the fire, it's a relatively small price to pay.

But come on.  Every time something happens that involves blacks anyone who doesn't buy into the black version of events is labeled racist.  The newest one is that if you say all lives matter it's racist.  It has to be black lives matter.

Okay, the point is generalized here but so is what you get from the news. Along with overload. If you tell me I'm racist because I think Rachel Dolezal has a few screws loose so be it. What will you call me when I tell you I really admire The Wall Street Journal's Jason Riley and Dr. Ben Carson and Condoleezza Rice and the late Barbara Jordon?

There are problems, true, but trying to lay a guilt trip on us by those who have benefited richly because of their race is a cardinal sin. Going to the root of the problem isn't on their radar.

Destroying symbols of our history isn't going to change anything either.  What was was and there isn't anything that can erase it.  We can, however, move ahead and we have.  If racism is in Obama's DNA perhaps he is related to a slave trader from long ago Africa who sold his own people into slavery. There's definite culpability there.

How do you measure racism in DNA anyway?

Dwindling Faith

So the Republicans have given the President the power he wants in the trade agreement. Well, so much for their concern about the little guys in this country.  They've stayed true to form paying homage to the Chamber of Commerce and the big corporations.

Back when the Republicans took over the Senate and kept the House I tried to have faith in the promises they made.  I really did, though neither Mitch McConnell nor John Boehner are exactly inspirational personalities.  Unfortunately my doubts won out over hope.

So where do we go from here?  I feel like the country is a ship without a rudder. None of the Republican candidates inspire me.  None of them.  Hillary scares me.  The first female President does not have to be Mrs. Clinton. I don't trust her motivation nor do I think she necessarily has the skill to govern. So where does that leave us?

We need a leader who catches our attention and inspires us.  But who?  Actually it could be a flamboyant Donald Trump. He loves to be the center of attention and knows how to play to it. None of the other candidates in either party have his flair. Nor do they have a set of policies that convince me they're the one.  At least no one is articulating them at this point.  Of course that's politics. Don't give the opposition anything to attack.  And leave us guessing.

I fear it will be based more on personality than skill and that gets us no where.  If it's personality who can compare to Trump?  Cruz? Huckabee?  Maybe except he and Cruz play too much to the evangelicals.  While their concerns are important and they are strong in the early primary states, they are not a reflection of the country as a whole.  Do we matter?  Can one of these candidates please them then shift to the rest of us?  Then we're faced with which side of the candidate to believe.  The one who is far left or right or the one who expeditiously has moved to the center?

A non-politician who doesn't care about the politics of it but cares deeply for the country as a whole and has the policies and leadership skills to carry them out would get my vote. We have three non-politicians running.  Ben Carson, Carly Florina and Donald Trump.

Is there any one else out there?  Please?

Can Trump Triumph?

Can the Presidential field get any more ludicrous than it already is? Like some horse races, if there are too many in the gate they can get hurt at the start from the crowding.

I think that may have happened to Jeb Bush last night.  I watched a bit of his interview with Hannity and literally dozed off.  Inspiring he was not.  Personally I don't think he really wants to run but forces beyond his control, like his monied supporters, pressured him into it.  Couldn't he have just said no if that was the case?

We haven't heard about a lot about many that have already declared but I'm sure we'll hear a lot about Trump even if he has to buy his own network.  He's that kind of guy.  Will he resonate with anyone?  I think he will.  Because of the best thing he has going for himself, he's not politic!  Agree with him or not he'll tell you what he thinks no holds barred.  It will be interesting to see what his policy positions will be.

I wish some of the Republican candidates would have a change of heart and save their money because their chances are nil. Pataki. Carson. Huckabee.  Not that they aren't good men, their appeal just isn't broad enough. However, there is no sign yet that anyone is willing.

Then there are the Democrats.  Who ever though Bernie Sanders could back Hillary into a corner?  He won't win but he's fun to watch and apparently a lot of people agree considering the number he draws for his speeches.

The others?  Eh.  Lincoln Chaffee and Martin O'Malley.  Basically unknowns nationally and invisible when pitted against the presumptive Hillary. The line up is a joke!

Hopefully as we near mid to late summer more Democrats will declare. Ones who aren't as far left as Hillary is being pushed.  Is the entire party really that far left?  Heaven forbid!  We having an eight year preview of what it will be like.

More Republicans will jump in and boy had they better have something to say.  Trump could annihilate them by forcing them to speak to the subject at hand rather than the usual side stepping.

It promises to be interesting watching.  Will someone credible challenge Hillary or not?  Is there anyone capable of standing out as the front runner among the Republicans?  At the moment its any ones guess!