I just read an article online that really distresses me. Don't get me wrong, I have no objection to same sex marriage--that's a personal choice. It's also one in which the federal government has no right interfering, but apparently President Obama thinks it's HIS business and has recently signed an Executive Order requiring everyone to attend a gay wedding every year. In addition, they must file proof with their taxes in the form of a napkin or other trinket from the wedding (not sure how that's going to work for those who e-file). Failure to prove the taxpayer attended a gay wedding will result in the taxpayer being forced to purchase a $500 gift to be included in the government gift registry.
My problem with such a thing is first and foremost, I don't even attend a wedding every year--in fact, the last one I attended was when my youngest daughter got married in 2008, and secondly, I don't know enough gay people, singles or couples, to attend a wedding every year. Most of my gay friends I know are from Facebook, and as such they live all over the country. Is the government going to pay my expenses to get there including meals and lodging? I didn't think so!
Another thing that crosses my mind here is for many people, complying with this new order would mean attending the wedding of strangers. Let me ask you: would you want people at your wedding you didn't know outside of family members you never met and the guests of attendees? I know I wouldn't want strangers to attend my wedding just because the government said they had to do it. Those who don't attend should not be forced to purchase a gift, and certainly not one so expensive--I haven't even bought that expensive of a gift to those weddings I have attended simply because I don't have that kind of money.
I think it's time the government, and especially President Obama need to stay out of people's private lives. The choice of guests should be up to the engaged couple, the government and president do not have the right to demand that people attend who are not specifically invited by the couple. The choice of whether to allow same sex marriage should be up to the individual states, not the government. As citizens we have lost our rights as a result of government interference, especially under the current administration. It is my hope when the new election is complete we will find the new administration will be more compassionate to the needs and desires of the people it is there to serve.
I am not saying I agree or disagree with same sex marriage because that is irrelevant to the issue at hand. The issue here is government interference into something that should be private and at the discretion of the government. We're lucky President Obama can't run again because I fear he would next be telling us where to live, work, how many kids to have, and who knows what else!
