Nine men and women killed in South Carolina for no reason other than the color of their skin. Nine men and women in Washington, D.C., making momentous decisions. The nine in South Carolina never met the nine in Washington, but their legacies are now intertwined forever with the country’s first inter-racial president who may, finally in his waning days in office, literally be finding his voice.
You may not always agree with his voice – he can be flat now and again – but he was never in finer pitch than last week as his health care legacy was cemented by the Supreme Court, his humanity was on display in South Carolina and his White House was bathed in rainbow colors after the Supreme Court said marriage is for everyone.
Personally, I agree with the health care decision – I’m in favor of health care for all – and I support gay folks being able to marry one another (and now I can stop having to use the qualifier and just say “marriage).
The word “grace” is being used a lot lately after the survivors of the Charleston victims forgave their relatives’ killer so soon after his terrorist act. Grace is something that would be good for Republicans to show now, too. Are the “culture” wars over? No, not by a long shot. But the debate over marriage is over and should not be fought any longer. I suspect it will be via political rhetoric as Republicans battle for the religious right’s primary votes. But it is settled. You can call for a constitutional amendment to get around the Supreme Court but when 65 percent of the people don’t support it, it is only rhetorical fodder not reality.
There are of course the very religious folks who feel gay marriage is an abomination and against their teachings. Last I heard there were religious Democrats, too, though we never hear such outcries from them, at least the media doesn’t report them. And while they may not all be in favor of same-sex marriage, I hope there are sufficient people of a religious bent that can recognize the difference between their religious beliefs and government policy. The Supreme Court’s ruling doesn’t mandate that churches, mosques or synagogues perform same-sex marriages, it is saying that under our Constitution, we don’t discriminate. Houses of worship still can, if they choose.
As moderate Republican (we are not extinct yet), I want us to move on because if we aren’t battling issues such as marriage and health care, we can focus on the issues that always decide national elections – the economy and national security. And, pragmatic Republicans might take note, that on issues of the economy and national security, the GOP typically has a lead among the citizenry.
The Supreme Court did Republicans a favor, politically, and is taking the issue of marriage off the table. That is settled. No need to rant and rage over it on the campaign trail. A ranting/raging that turns off a majority of general election voters. Same with health care. Stop ranting, unless you have a legitimately better way to handle national health care. If so, lay it on the table so the people can make a decision. The cry to “repeal Obamacare” doesn’t cut it without something to replace it. Or are you saying no national health care? Another “winning” issue if you are.
I understand the political “need” to win primaries in states where gay marriage and national health care are battle cries against the sitting president. This election is to replace him, though, so that battle is over, too.
Let’s all move on.
You may not always agree with his voice – he can be flat now and again – but he was never in finer pitch than last week as his health care legacy was cemented by the Supreme Court, his humanity was on display in South Carolina and his White House was bathed in rainbow colors after the Supreme Court said marriage is for everyone.
Personally, I agree with the health care decision – I’m in favor of health care for all – and I support gay folks being able to marry one another (and now I can stop having to use the qualifier and just say “marriage).
The word “grace” is being used a lot lately after the survivors of the Charleston victims forgave their relatives’ killer so soon after his terrorist act. Grace is something that would be good for Republicans to show now, too. Are the “culture” wars over? No, not by a long shot. But the debate over marriage is over and should not be fought any longer. I suspect it will be via political rhetoric as Republicans battle for the religious right’s primary votes. But it is settled. You can call for a constitutional amendment to get around the Supreme Court but when 65 percent of the people don’t support it, it is only rhetorical fodder not reality.
There are of course the very religious folks who feel gay marriage is an abomination and against their teachings. Last I heard there were religious Democrats, too, though we never hear such outcries from them, at least the media doesn’t report them. And while they may not all be in favor of same-sex marriage, I hope there are sufficient people of a religious bent that can recognize the difference between their religious beliefs and government policy. The Supreme Court’s ruling doesn’t mandate that churches, mosques or synagogues perform same-sex marriages, it is saying that under our Constitution, we don’t discriminate. Houses of worship still can, if they choose.
As moderate Republican (we are not extinct yet), I want us to move on because if we aren’t battling issues such as marriage and health care, we can focus on the issues that always decide national elections – the economy and national security. And, pragmatic Republicans might take note, that on issues of the economy and national security, the GOP typically has a lead among the citizenry.
The Supreme Court did Republicans a favor, politically, and is taking the issue of marriage off the table. That is settled. No need to rant and rage over it on the campaign trail. A ranting/raging that turns off a majority of general election voters. Same with health care. Stop ranting, unless you have a legitimately better way to handle national health care. If so, lay it on the table so the people can make a decision. The cry to “repeal Obamacare” doesn’t cut it without something to replace it. Or are you saying no national health care? Another “winning” issue if you are.
I understand the political “need” to win primaries in states where gay marriage and national health care are battle cries against the sitting president. This election is to replace him, though, so that battle is over, too.
Let’s all move on.
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