Evolution

Senator Rob Portman came out in support of same-sex marriage last week. Why is that a big deal? He's a Republican (from Ohio). Mr. Portman reversed his position on this hot issue because his son told him that he is gay. 

The first argument I heard against the senator reversing his position is that it's not right to flip-flop on an issue. 

Apparently those people feel we should pick a side early on in a argument, before we have all the facts and without considering all points of view, and then hold that position no matter what we learn. 

These are not the people I want running my country.

It isn't like his son came out on Wednesday and Mr. Portman held a press conference on Friday (though if he did, I honestly don't think there'd be anything wrong with that). His son came out to his family in February 2011 - two years ago.

For two years, Mr. Portman has had the benefit of closely observing how a ban on same-sex marriage would impact individuals. He has had the chance to hear and see a different perspective. A chance that not many with his background and in his position do. He had the chance - and he listened. 

Isn't that who we want making decisions that will shape our country? Someone who will listen? 

The other argument I've read is that he has a responsibility to represent the interests of the people who elected him, not his own personal preference. 

That's not true. He has a responsibility to represent the interests of the people of Ohio - all the people, not just those who voted for him. The trend in the United States is a growing support of same-sex marriage. If 51% of Americans support it, what are the odds that at least a few of those people live in Ohio? 

The bottom line is, the man was elected to do a job. Part of that job is listening, learning, and interpreting information to enact laws that protect all of his constituents. Like many Americans, he's learned - and in doing so, his opinion has evolved. 

That makes him a better representative. It's how this is supposed to work. 

“I have come to believe that if two people are prepared to make a lifetime commitment to love and care for each other in good times and in bad, the government shouldn’t deny them the opportunity to get married,” Portman wrote in an essay for the Columbus Dispatch.

NaBloPoMo - Presidential actions

Today, we elect a President. Fabulous. Now we can all go back to normal, and argue about important things like the Kardashians and X-Factor.

I'm not sure I could do the President's job. I mean - that's a crap-ton of pressure. I have respect for anyone who can take his personal beliefs, set them aside, and do what's best for everyone as a whole. I'm not sure I could.

I understand our economy is tanked and our foreign policy needs a lot of work. Some decisions need to be made - and as President, that's something I would delegate. Trust me - you don't want me in charge when it comes to that stuff . I can barely even balance my own checkbook.

As far as social issues... I guess I'd want to look at making sure that people's rights are protected in the Constitution. Take the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) for instance.

My opinion on same-sex marriage* aside, I have a real problem with the Constitution being used as a vehicle to take away rights. I prefer to think of it as a way to ensure and protect rights.

Truth be told, I think the Federal Government should keep its nose out of marriage. Since DOMA - a conservative initiative - put that nose where it doesn't belong, I think the government is obligated to make sure rights of all citizens are protected, at least as far as the Constitution is concerned.

I'm not gay, so I have no personal interest in protecting gay rights. But even if what matters to me personally is different than what matters to the next person - the point is, we all have personal rights that need protecting.

If I can't trust my government to protect the rights of my friends - how can I trust my government to protect my rights?

The answer is - I can't. I think the government needs to do whatever it can to reassure all people that their rights are just as imporant as the next person's.

*All that said - love is love. No one knows better than me how damn-near-impossible it is to find good, honest, pure, sincere love. I can't for the life of me wrap my mind around any belief that love should be restricted. 

If two grown, unattached, (mostly) sane people capable of making their own decisions can find love - who is anyone else to judge? Now cut it out.