Well, President Obama has finally come out in favor of gay marriage. I say hurrah for him. Quite frankly I don't really care one way or another but it's interesting how often the word "benefits" keeps cropping up in regards to marriage as opposed to "love". Maybe it's time to take a good hard look at what marriage really is--a legal contract.
It's funny that gay people are agitating for the right to enter into this particular legal contract--and I don't see why they shouldn't--when so many of my fellow heteros are simply choosing to live together, claiming that they "don't need a piece of paper" to validate their relationship. Sorry, but I think gays are right on this one. They understand the value of that piece of paper.
I'm not saying that everyone should or ought to get married, but please, no more crap about "it's just a piece of paper." By saying that you either do not understand the significance of "paper" or--worse, you do, and you don't give a damn about what it stands for. Either way, you're not a person I'd want to do business with, because how do I know you will honor your contracts?
"It's just a piece of paper." Yes, and so are treaties. Ask the Native Americans about the American government's track record with treaties. They (Natives) took what they were signing seriously, to the government, "it was just a piece of paper."
A diploma is a piece of paper, too. So is a mortgage, a lease, a loan, a title. These are pieces of paper with real power. Unfortunately there were and still are a lot of people who misunderstood the power of those little pieces of paper. They thought that the banks would be understanding. That landlords would be understanding. Guess what? They were wrong!
Right now in my trailer park there are several people who are really worried because they lack a very crucial piece of paper. Apparently they bought their trailers from a man whose business ethics are slim to non-existent. A few years ago he illegally brought in several derelict trailers from a defunct trailer park--meaning he didn't get the necessary permits from the village government. Permits? Who needs permits? That's just a piece of paper. So he brought these trailers in and sold them to desperate, ignorant people. Just one thing. He "forgot" to give them title. Now he has apparently been told by the new park owners that he has to get rid of these trailers. What about the people living in them? Well, tough luck. Just a piece of paper--but he has it and they don't. Legally they can do nothing. Do I have my title? You better believe I do! And I didn't go through someone like him when I bought my trailer--I went through a legitimate dealer and a legitimate bank. But then, I had choices.
To get back to marriage, I am not married nor am I likely to, but one thing I do know about marriage. When you get married it really is for better or worse. Choose a partner who is financially irresponsible, and guess who gets stuck with the bill? On the other hand choose wisely and you can improve your situation. Spouses can inherit things like social security. They can share insurance benefits. As a single person, I am on my own.
Although it is not as easy as it once was, someone wishing to become an American citizen need only marry an American. The author of "Eat, Pray, Love" thought she could have her cake and eat it too--having an unmarried relationship with a man who was not an American citizen--until Immigration stepped in and said, "Look, you either get married or he is not going to be allowed in any more." And of course she was all upset about it. I mean what is the big deal about him coming in, living for six months, taking off for a few weeks, then coming back for another six months? Did she really think Immigration wouldn't notice? Oh, but they did. And since he wasn't an American citizen, not having that little piece of paper made all the difference as to whether they could continue their relationship.
Married people can also make medical decisions for each other which is sometimes good and sometimes bad. So because this is a binding legal contract it shouldn't be entered into lightly. When you marry someone you are giving them legal power over you (and possibly your children) that no other person or institution can claim. Likewise they are giving you legal power over them. Maybe you don't want someone to have that kind of power over you or you to have that kind of power over them. That's ok. But please, do not say, "it is just a meaningless piece of paper." If it truly were that meaningless, then why would anyone fight for the right to be married?
It's funny that gay people are agitating for the right to enter into this particular legal contract--and I don't see why they shouldn't--when so many of my fellow heteros are simply choosing to live together, claiming that they "don't need a piece of paper" to validate their relationship. Sorry, but I think gays are right on this one. They understand the value of that piece of paper.
I'm not saying that everyone should or ought to get married, but please, no more crap about "it's just a piece of paper." By saying that you either do not understand the significance of "paper" or--worse, you do, and you don't give a damn about what it stands for. Either way, you're not a person I'd want to do business with, because how do I know you will honor your contracts?
"It's just a piece of paper." Yes, and so are treaties. Ask the Native Americans about the American government's track record with treaties. They (Natives) took what they were signing seriously, to the government, "it was just a piece of paper."
A diploma is a piece of paper, too. So is a mortgage, a lease, a loan, a title. These are pieces of paper with real power. Unfortunately there were and still are a lot of people who misunderstood the power of those little pieces of paper. They thought that the banks would be understanding. That landlords would be understanding. Guess what? They were wrong!
Right now in my trailer park there are several people who are really worried because they lack a very crucial piece of paper. Apparently they bought their trailers from a man whose business ethics are slim to non-existent. A few years ago he illegally brought in several derelict trailers from a defunct trailer park--meaning he didn't get the necessary permits from the village government. Permits? Who needs permits? That's just a piece of paper. So he brought these trailers in and sold them to desperate, ignorant people. Just one thing. He "forgot" to give them title. Now he has apparently been told by the new park owners that he has to get rid of these trailers. What about the people living in them? Well, tough luck. Just a piece of paper--but he has it and they don't. Legally they can do nothing. Do I have my title? You better believe I do! And I didn't go through someone like him when I bought my trailer--I went through a legitimate dealer and a legitimate bank. But then, I had choices.
To get back to marriage, I am not married nor am I likely to, but one thing I do know about marriage. When you get married it really is for better or worse. Choose a partner who is financially irresponsible, and guess who gets stuck with the bill? On the other hand choose wisely and you can improve your situation. Spouses can inherit things like social security. They can share insurance benefits. As a single person, I am on my own.
Although it is not as easy as it once was, someone wishing to become an American citizen need only marry an American. The author of "Eat, Pray, Love" thought she could have her cake and eat it too--having an unmarried relationship with a man who was not an American citizen--until Immigration stepped in and said, "Look, you either get married or he is not going to be allowed in any more." And of course she was all upset about it. I mean what is the big deal about him coming in, living for six months, taking off for a few weeks, then coming back for another six months? Did she really think Immigration wouldn't notice? Oh, but they did. And since he wasn't an American citizen, not having that little piece of paper made all the difference as to whether they could continue their relationship.
Married people can also make medical decisions for each other which is sometimes good and sometimes bad. So because this is a binding legal contract it shouldn't be entered into lightly. When you marry someone you are giving them legal power over you (and possibly your children) that no other person or institution can claim. Likewise they are giving you legal power over them. Maybe you don't want someone to have that kind of power over you or you to have that kind of power over them. That's ok. But please, do not say, "it is just a meaningless piece of paper." If it truly were that meaningless, then why would anyone fight for the right to be married?
