I must write my concerns about the future of our country, state and county. It has come to my attention that the passing of Proposition 8 has given reason for discrimination and I find the fact that we are still fighting for equality very elementary. In 1955 Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus; 50 years later we have an African American president and even today in 2009 there are still some who are fearful not because of his ability but because of his diversity. When will we as Americans who are looked up to in so many other countries going to realize that our fear is just that?
This past November, Proposition 8 drew a huge amount of attention financially, religiously and politically and I can”t help but sit here saddened not by the fact that Prop 8 passed or even that it passed based on inaccurate information, my heart is saddened that even in 2009 we still haven”t learned from history. The world didn”t end when bi-racial marriages became legal and with the economy going the way it is I am amazed at how many people had to be so stubborn and not realize that not allowing committed couples to marry hurt the economy.
The truth is that although marriage is seen to most as a religious institution, once the government steps in it becomes political. When you want to get married you don”t go to sign the certificate at your church; you go to the courthouse. When you are married, it is because of that legal document that you have the right to make decisions for your spouse medically and can have access to their pension and social security and much more. Civil Marriage is recognized federally and therefore once you are married you become entitled to 1,138 federal rights. In the state of California, married couples are given the right to 300 state rights. So the truth is that whether it is religious to you or not, there are thousands of couples who work, pay into a federal and state system that are denied their American rights; is that really justice?
Laurie LaMonaco
Lakeport
