Gay Marriage?

To my conservative friends: it is time to move on.  We can disagree on gay marriage, but it is going to happen in one way or another.  Yes, I realize this may be an assault on the American way of life, the traditional family, and religious values.   The idea of the United States government “sanctioning” gay marriage is, to me, the greatest danger here.  The slippery slope is real.  Gay marriage, however, is a cause de jour for the young people in our society.  Do I agree with them?  No.  Like so many “modern” ideas, there will surely be many unintended consequences.  I guess we will just have to deal with those challenges as we meet them.  Gone are the days when we think long and hard about changing fundamental aspects of our national fiber.  Nope, we live in a new generation, complete with instant gratification.  While I am convinced that there is a better way than to redefine marriage, that boat has already sailed.  Conservatives need to embrace this new reality.

Am I, or are most conservatives, anti-gay?  Absolutely not.  There is a distinct difference between what I feel is best for our country and how I feel about people.   I embrace the idea of individuals finding that one person, that soul mate, who makes them a better person.  Despite the procreation advantage of a heterosexual union, is not the objective of a relationship to provide love, security, understanding, and to make each partner a better version of one’s self?  Don’t we learn from those who we love?  Radio talk jock Rush Limbaugh used to claim that if it weren’t for women, men would still be uncivilized, walking around in bear skins and carrying clubs.  There is probably some truth in that.  While I believe that argues in favor of a male-female relationship, I doubt if anyone would argue that a gay partner would not provide a similar benefit.  Can’t the proper couple, regardless of sex, still balance each other’s strength and weaknesses?  I think so.  Does that have to be in a “marriage?”  No.

So, no matter how the US Supreme Court ultimately rules on gay marriage, we are looking at a world where our idea of marriage is changing.  As a society, we can deal with the various societal costs, just like we are dealing with the effects – good and bad – of integration, immigration, abortion, the “Great Society” war on poverty, single parent homes, Obamacare, secularization of society, women as integral contributors in the workplace, and many other changes.

Or can we?  Many of the above changes have taxed our society (literally and figuratively) to such a degree that we are running out of the ability to sustain our system.  About this, few can argue (though some will!).  Yes, there are a number of businesses and individuals making mega-money, but even taking ALL profits from those alone cannot get us even close to balancing our government’s budget.  Something has got to give and the gay marriage fight is not helping us get there.  We need every man, woman, straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, black, white, red, yellow, whatever individuals focused upon the real crisis we face: the fiscal reality of continuing to spend more than we can pay for.  Get over gay marriage, conservatives, and get ready for the real battle!