A Letter

            There has been of late great discussion regarding "Gay Marriage". Proponents assert that all couples regardless of gender expressing a relationship akin to marriage should have the same rights and benefits as a married man and woman.

            This argument is basically flawed. A state recognized marriage is the basis of any claim to state provided "rights and benefits". Civil ceremonies at the court house are performed daily. The issue is not about the right to enter into a Gay or Lesbian relationship. That is a personal choice decision and not for me or the state to critique.

            The issue is; does the marriage of a man and a woman accomplish a necessary obligation of the state? The answer is yes. The marriage of a man and woman gives the state its continued life in the form of children and the parents responsible for their upbringing.

            The discussion therefore should not be about "Gay Marriage" but rather; should the state give to all citizens those special benefits given to those entering into the "man and woman" marriage on behalf of the state? Why should those of the Gay and Lesbian community be given special benefits over other unmarried men and women? In neither of these cases does the state achieve the goal that can only be attained by the marriage of a man and a woman, children.

                When the state redistributes the wealth of the nation to a select group, the purpose must be for the betterment of the nation as a whole.

Bob Dewey

Wintergreen