It's been brought to my attention that there is a battle going on. A battle between people who think gay marriage is fundamentally wrong, and a battle between people who believe that the right to marriage should stay extended to gay couples. In this battle, there has been a whole lot of words said back and forth, points argued to death, and people who have spoken out for and against gay marriage. May I just say, this entire ordeal is the biggest waste of time I've ever had the displeasure of witnessing.

"Gay marriage is a direct attack on family values, foundations, and structure"

- made up quote that similarly reflects the vast majority of what is being said by proponents of Prop 8 -

I've got to disagree.

Gay marriage is viewed as a threat to family values, foundations, and structure. Let me be the first to say that there are MANY MORE threats out there than gays getting married. First, the mortgage crisis. Some families are literally being torn apart by the mortgage crisis. Children are having to live with their family members who are better off, parents are having to sacrifice their family lives in order to work more hours, and in the process, risk alienating their significant others and children. This can create a HUGE strain on any family and deeply impact their futures.

Another threat that currently looms over the heads of many American families is the failing economy/job crisis. Mothers and fathers are being displaced from their jobs as the economy worsens, and as a result, are unable to support themselves and their children. Adding to the threat of company layoffs (which I hear are all the rage nowadays) are paycuts for those willing to stay in their positions, benefit stripping, and retirement plans discontinued (although this is a practice that I assume is going to end soon).

The final threat that I can think of right now is that of terrorism - both international and domestic. I can say right now that the U.S. has put itself in a position of grave danger in terms of foreign policy and global standing. We have less respect for other countries, and in turn, they now have less respect for us. We have abused our power in the U.N., grossly exaggerated the dangers abroad, and put ourselves in a position that has PRODUCED *new* - validated powers (hezbollah) that can hurt us.

Overall, I guess I'm just disappointed in the far right. I'll go on to say that I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT REPUBLICANS ARE BAD PEOPLE. I don't believe they are in any need of 'enlightenment', or that their worldviews are any less valid than those carried by the left. What this situation boils down to is priorities. There are far greater 'dangers' to families than gay marriage, and I'm disappointed in the far right for absolutely failing to realize this. The vast amounts of money raised for/in opposition to prop 8 could have been better utilized to help families in need who are suffering as a result of the mortgage crisis and job losses. What is embarrassing is just how much has been raised for both sides - an estimated 42 million - predicted to grow to 50 million by the November 4th election. (too lazy to cite, just check here: http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_10686564)

So, after all of this, is the real 'threat' gay marriage, or is it human stupidity and stubbornness? And is fifty million dollars worth the right to say "I'm right!, you're wrong, people agreed with me, and now we have a proposition (or lack thereof) in place to validate that"?