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This is just sharp as hell. Thanks so much for posting it. - - Promoted from the diaries by Rosi
So, is it really going to be Democrats who walk away from the altar? Really?
After the long and romantic courtship of the state's gay and lesbian electorate. After the invites to hundreds of long-overdue gay weddings are in the mail? After all the promises to say, "I do" when the vote got posted. As the sun begins to set on the Corzine administration with pen in hand and the lame duck is roasting to a warm finale?
After all that, how can you just walk away? How?
Think of the economy! Think of all that festive glass smashing and chair-carrying? Think of all those cash register and church bells a-ringing and soap bubbles popping? Think of all that glitz and glamour, the tears and taffeta, the champagne and cannolis. Think of all those new cute cake toppers! New Jersey is billions of dollars in the red and marriage equality can only help our bottom line as gay couples flood into the state with their wallets and pocketbooks jingling. One independent report puts that number at $248 million a year without a single penny of cost to taxpayers. Do not let those treasures be abandoned like so much rumpled wedding garb on the honeymoon night.
Think about love! People who love each other want to be married. Let them. They have been fully warned. And, no, civil unions do not work here, so move on. Last year, the New Jersey Civil Union Review Commission found that civil unions are not only not equal to marriage but that the rights are not even close to equal. Enough said.
Think about the people! The people of New Jersey are behind the freedom to marry. Poll after poll says so. The people that aren't excited about it will find something new to complain about by next election cycle for sure. An eight-year debate and a substandard civil union solution is not the end of this conversation. It's New Jersey! We live and let live. The time is now for New Jersey to live and let love.
Think about yourself! As British Prime Minister William Gladstone said, "Justice delayed is justice denied." Five states already have laws that allow marriage equality. Seriously, Iowa allows the freedom to marry. Iowa! New Jersey has led the way on civil rights issues in the past. We are a progressive state with an electorate that leans left on social issues. If Democrats take a walk on New Jersey's LGBT community then the community will take a walk on Democrats. And a good part of the progressive base will walk away, too.
Think about your children and grandchildren! Marriage equality is a the future and our kids already know it. If a ten-year old boy can take a stand and refuse to say the pledge of allegiance until there is "liberty and justice for all", including the LGBT community, then our legislators can do it too. Will you tell your kids and grandkids that you stood up for civil and human rights and respecting all families? Or will you tell them that you sat on the fence and looked the other way while discrimination continued?
Do the right thing for the state's gay and lesbian community and for all of us. Let them eat cake! Wedding cake that is. It's time. Actually, it is past time. Bring marriage equality up for a vote. Now. And, just say "I do."
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To contact your legislator and urge them to post and pass marriage equality! |
