Readers Debate "Gay Marriage"

Readers Debate "Gay Marriage" 

FOR...

I think all people should have equal rights and no one's rights should be subject to a vote. Gay or straight, we should all be able to get married anywhere we want and no one should be able to take that away from us or even decide in favor of that with a vote. We are all entitled to the same rights. It should not even be a question.


AGAINST...

Yes, all people in the country have the inalenable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. An with that comes the ability to file a joint income tax return, collect SS survivor benefits, hospital visitation rights, etc. Hence, we should all embrace public legislative efforts to "legalize" relationships between two adults irrespective of the fact that they may happen to share a particular gender.

However, based on our culture and community standards, a marriage is between a man and a woman. To suggest that it is not is to deny the fact that there is a fundamental biological difference between a union between those of opposite sexes and those of the same. Hence, we should endeavor to identify a new, legal term that adequately and respectfully acknowledges this difference and would permit this very decisive issue to come to a logical and proper end. Those who have been intensively lobbying this matter, in my opinion, would better serve their constituents by finding a middle ground that respects the long standing cultural and religious foundations of the institution of marriage while guaranteeing the rights that all people deserve. Until this happens, we will never see closure on this issue. The Legislatures, politicians, lobbyings etc. may be able to legislate how we are supposed act, but not how we feel.

New Jersey voters want referendum on gay marriage—poll

New Jersey voters want referendum on gay marriage—poll

A majority of New Jersey voters say same-sex marriage should be decided by popular referendum - something Republican Governor Chris Christie has suggested, but Democratic leaders have pointedly refused to do - a poll released on Tuesday said.

Fifty-four percent of New Jersey voters said same-sex couples should be allowed to wed. By about the same margin, voters also thought the issue should be placed on a ballot, according to a survey by the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers University.

New Jersey's Democratic leadership, which controls both houses of the legislature, has made gay marriage a top priority this session, saying the state's civil union law does not adequately protect same-sex couples.  (Honan, Reuters)

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2012/02/14/us/politics/14reuters-gaymarriage-newjersey-poll.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=jersey&st=nyt

Analysis: How Christie trumped Dems once again on "Gay Marriage"

Analysis: How Christie trumped Dems once again on "Gay Marriage"

Democrats looking for a signature issue to start the new legislative session resurrected gay marriage, thinking it would galvanize their base and hoping it would push Republican Gov. Chris Christie into uncomfortable political territory by forcing him to sign the legislation or veto it.

But Christie, a masterful political tactician, isn't so easily boxed in.

The day before Senate Democrats were to conduct the first public hearing of the term on the bill, Christie stunned almost everyone by nominating a gay black Republican with a 32-year partner and a Korean immigrant to fill two slots on the state Supreme Court, unusual picks for a Republican governor that helped defuse possible criticism about his social views.  (Associated Press)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/Analysis_How_Christie_trumped_Dems_once_again.htm

N.J. gay rights advocates fight a vote on same-sex marriage

N.J. gay rights advocates fight a vote on same-sex marriage
 
Gay rights advocates in New Jersey have been pushing for a decade to get state courts or lawmakers to recognize same-sex marriage. But last week, they demurred when Gov. Christie called for a public vote to settle the topic.

Their main reason is based on principle: It's not fair, they say, to let voters decide a civil rights issue.But there's another consideration: It would be a costly and divisive fight, and the advocates know the odds are against them, even if recent polls have shown the majority of New Jersey voters support allowing gay marriage.  (Mulvihill, Associated Press)

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20120130_N_J__gay_rights_advocates_fight_a_vote_on_same-sex_marriage.html

Christie upstages gay marriage bill

Christie upstages gay marriage bill

Gay and lesbian couples gathered on Tuesday to support state lawmakers who tried for the second time in three years to legalize same-sex marriage in New Jersey — but instead saw Governor Christie outflank them with a veto threat and an offer of a statewide referendum.

Voting along party lines, the eight Democrats on the state Senate Judiciary Committee revived a bill that would eliminate civil unions and allow gay and lesbian partners to be married. That legislation narrowly failed to pass in 2009, but Democrats had placed it atop their agenda this year, expecting stronger support from legislators of both parties who previously sat on the fence.  (Fletcher, The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/138023828_Christie_upstages_gay_marriage_bill.html

Less then 120 Days to Go Until the Largest Tax Hikes in History

Less then 120 Days to Go Until the Largest Tax Hikes in History

120 Days to Go Until the Largest Tax Hikes in History
From Ryan Ellis on Friday, September 3, 2010 11:10 AM

http://www.atr.org/index.php

In just 120 days, the largest tax hikes in the history of America will take effect. They will hit families and small businesses in three great waves on January 1, 2011:

First Wave: Expiration of 2001 and 2003 Tax Relief

In 2001 and 2003, the GOP Congress enacted several tax cuts for investors, small business owners, and families. These will all expire on January 1, 2011:

Personal income tax rates will rise. The top income tax rate will rise from 35 to 39.6 percent (this is also the rate at which two-thirds of small business profits are taxed). The lowest rate will rise from 10 to 15 percent. All the rates in between will also rise. Itemized deductions and personal exemptions will again phase out, which has the same mathematical effect as higher marginal tax rates. The full list of marginal rate hikes is below:

- The 10% bracket rises to an expanded 15%

- The 25% bracket rises to 28%

- The 28% bracket rises to 31%

- The 33% bracket rises to 36%

- The 35% bracket rises to 39.6%

Higher taxes on marriage and family. The “marriage penalty” (narrower tax brackets for married couples) will return from the first dollar of income. The child tax credit will be cut in half from $1000 to $500 per child. The standard deduction will no longer be doubled for married couples relative to the single level. The dependent care tax credit will be cut.

The return of the Death Tax. This year, there is no death tax. For those dying on or after January 1 2011, there is a 55 percent top death tax rate on estates over $1 million. A person leaving behind two homes and a retirement account could easily pass along a death tax bill to their loved ones.

Higher tax rates on savers and investors. The top capital gains tax will rise from 15 percent this year to 20 percent in 2011. The top dividends tax rate will rise from 15 percent this year to 39.6 percent in 2011. These rates will rise another 3.8 percent in 2013.

yes there is alot more tax increases
Read more: http://www.atr.org/index.php#ixzz0yftAtGvp