On Proposition 8

I know I'm preaching to choir. But the passing of Proposition 8 in California has set the equal rights of all Americans back 25+ years.

A simple and obvious solution to preventing such a national disgrace is to resend the tax-exempt status of the Church of the Latter Day Saints immediately. The 15% it's members are required to tithe should cover the cost of their leaders insistence to use religious doctrine to influence civil matters. This should also be applied to the Catholic Church, which is really a bunch of embassies to the nation of The Vatican, and therefore should not be interfering with our nation's constitution.

Truth be told: For those of you out there that really, really, really can not accept homosexuals and lesbians as equal citizens in this country keep in mind the following:

- They provide services, of all forms, that help to make our lives easier and communities more effective.

- Some gay people are devout "Christians".

- Gay people buy things; like food, gas, cleaning products. They pay the same sales taxes. The help our economy.

- Some are soldiers fighting for all of us. Some are returned veterans with physical and emotional damage that we must heal. Some died for us in a foreign land.

- Some gay people are parents. All are sons, daughters and grandchildren.

Honestly, what's up with the hate people? If you need to hate someone go with Bin Laden first.

So why is there such a big problem with "equal benefits under the law"? A word? Marriage. I have observed, at every wedding I have attended, 3 people signing a license, issued by the County, to be returned to a Judge and filed in the public record. Religious organization are free to refuse to marry anyone they choose. Couples are free to marry in many ways - but it don't count without that license.

Perhaps if we can all give each other a hand instead of a slap we could get our country back on the road again. The money raised to pass Prop. 8 is shameful and could have been used to pay for the many children in this country without insurance.

Lastly to the organizations fighting Prop. 8; what I am hearing, from the inside, are the same issues that have helped these constitutional measures get passed. A lot of money was spent raising money to pay for consultants and inept employees. 'Nuff said.