Ok, both presidential candidates don't believe in Gay Marriage.
John McCain voted "no" on a constitutional ban on same sex marriage and says it's an issue for the states. He made this statement at the time,
"The constitutional amendment we're debating today strikes me as antithetical in every way to the core philosophy of Republicans," John McCain (CNN Article)
He also supported an Arizona law to "ban" same sex relationship recognition. McCain doesn't come out against civil unions per se. He did say when asked on ABC's "This Week," hosted by George Stephanopoulos;
"I do not believe gay marriage should be legal. I do not believe gay marriage should be legal," he repeated. "But I do believe that people ought to be able to enter into contracts, exchange powers of attorney, other ways that people have relationships can enter into." John McCain (Arizona Daily Star Article)
That seems a little confusing to me.
On the other hand, Barack Obama says he supports civil unions but not Gay Marriage. He did vote against the constitutional ban. He made this statement on the vote against the ban:
"I personally believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. But I also agree with most Americans, including Vice President Cheney and over 2,000 religious leaders of all different beliefs, that decisions about marriage should be left to the states as they always have been."-- Barack Obama (from his Senate Website).
Obama's campaign literature also states:
"Barack Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples equal legal rights and privileges as married couples. Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions. These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights."-- Obama Campaign (Campaign literature)
So I guess Obama thinks the states should decide if Gay Marriage should be recognized but the federal government and states should recognize Civil Unions? He is almost as confusing as McCain.
I have a solution for both of them. Don't support "Gay Marriage" or any other type of "Marriage" period. If marriage is a religious institution, the government should never recognize it. The government should recognize all "Marriages" or "Unions" as the same thing. Whether they're between two men,two women, or a man and a woman. No more issue; everyone is the same. If you want to be married, go to a priest or rabbi. But don't expect the state to honor it, unless it is a "Civil Union" also. It bypasses all the religious crap and gets down to doing what should be done--giving equality to all. Now doesn't that make sense?
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