My Turn - From Southern Bubba

I feel that I must first explain that I am a very conservative sort of person that arrives at an opinion over a lengthy period of time, discussion, and soul searching. Physically, I even look like a conservative person – white, balding, middle-aged, and somewhat overweight; with some attitudes that have radically changed over the last 30 or 40 years. In other words, a typical Southerner who has made some progress in understanding others’ attitudes but not willing to go along just to get along. I am anti-immigration, pro death penalty, would like to see jail terms imposed on any CEOs that move so much as one American job overseas, and see individual meritocracy as an absolute goal of government and society.

Now we come to the subject of gay marriage. Simply stated, I feel as a conservative that homosexuality is a sin and a perversion – BUT it is a sin and a perversion that is none of my business. The Constitution of the United States is the greatest universal secular guide that has ever been created in the history of mankind, and the preamble has lent hope and inspiration to American citizens for over 200 years. My copy does not say that only white, fat, bald, middle-aged, straight guys are allowed the dream of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. My copy says that all American citizens have those rights with the assumption that those rights do not involve harm to any other citizens.

Quite frankly, even from the standpoint of religious thinking, I cannot see the harm to me or anyone else if two adults of the same gender go through the process of a civil union and gain all the advantages and disadvantages attached to that institution. I see advantages, such as insurance that covers both partners, thereby saving tax dollars that would otherwise have to be used to cover one or the other of the partners; more productive activities in the workplace could take place with the stability of these unions; and we should be able to better look ourselves in the eye as a nation if we see to it that every citizen has exactly the same rights as any other citizen.

As a strictly practical matter, my home state of Mississippi has already tried at least two experiments involving the use of “sin” to dig ourselves out of the hole of 50th place in the nation so far as educational achievement is concerned. The legalization of liquor did not quite live up to the expectations of our politicians’ promises and SURPRISE! SURPRISE!, neither did the glorious inspiration of selling out to the gaming interests. I would suggest a bold game plan: legalize gay civil unions ASAP with the stipulation of a one-year residency requirement. BINGO! We would have an immediate influx of gay couples willing to buy houses, rent apartments, establish businesses, and pour tax dollars into the coffers of the educational system. An added bonus would be the swarms of media people who would contribute their not inconsiderable revenue stream to the cause of finally breaking out of 50th place.

So far as religious thinking goes, I believe that GOD makes the decisions as to who spends eternity in Heaven or Hell, and that as a mere mortal, I am not the one in charge of the seating arrangement on the Hell-bound Express Train. And contrary to their assertions, I do not believe that any other mortal gets to wear that particular conductor’s badge. When our nation calls for public sacrifice, 10% to 14% of the crosses in Arlington cemetery are not pink with lace borders, and when gays pay their taxes they do not get a discount based on the lesser number of rights that they have in comparison to the rest of us.

For anyone pushing for a CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT opposing gay civil unions, always remember that when you give permission to the government to reduce any group’s or individual’s rights, you have automatically given that government the right to treat you the same way when it takes a notion to do so. The government might decide to class as a federal felony any sort of infidelity on the part of heterosexuals – that makes more sense because another person is harmed in the commitment of the act.

Perhaps those of us who consider personal matters, both religious and sexual, to be private and none of anyone else’s business could explain to those who do like to stick their noses into things that do not concern them that the BIBLE has some great advice that came from the mouth of JESUS himself – all they have to do is read Matthew chapter 7, verses 1-5.