Hilo Marriage inequality ADVERTISING Regarding Ernie Ho’s letter about civil unions (Tribune-Herald, Dec. 25): 1. Civil unions are available to opposite-sex couples as well as same-sex couples. 2. Preferential treatment: Opposite-sex couples have the option to choose either “marriage” or
Marriage inequality
Regarding Ernie Ho’s letter about civil unions (Tribune-Herald, Dec. 25):
1. Civil unions are available to opposite-sex couples as well as same-sex couples.
2. Preferential treatment: Opposite-sex couples have the option to choose either “marriage” or “civil unions.” Same-sex couples do not have the “marriage” option. Not only does this show preferential treatment to opposite-sex couples, but it discriminates against same-sex couples, denying them that option.
3. Same-sex couples have been waiting for legal recognition for decades. I believe we could have waited a few more days to apply. You can blame the state Legislature for this oversight. Perhaps the bill should have specified that applications would be accepted during regular working hours on the first working day of 2012.
Civil unions are not the answer to marriage equality in Hawaii. Marriage equality will only be attained when there is only one law that affords only “marriage” or only “civil union” to everyone.
This civil union law was only enacted by the Legislature to pander to the very vocal opposition of certain religious institutions and right-wing conservatives to same-sex marriage.
Personally, I believe the state of Hawaii should scuttle the civil union law, replacing it with an amendment to the state Constitution that allows only marriage for all couples, regardless of whether they are same-sex or opposite-sex unions. The federal Defense of Marriage Act, should it be repealed, may only apply to married couples, with no mention of civil unions — thus denying those holding “civil union” certification the federal rights and responsibilities afforded those with “marriage” certification.
Leslie Buster von Arnswaldt
Kurtistown
GOP shenanigans
Republicans are engaged in a battle — again — with the spoils being taxes. They want to raise taxes for the 160 million working-class Americans. The story was covered in the Dec. 20 Tribune-Herald on page A2.
These Tea Party shenanigans that drive the Republican Party are becoming habitual. Usually the Republicans rail against increases for the rich. However, when the tax increase is directed toward the working class, they are all for it.
The battle lines are clearly drawn: no tax increases for the rich, but tax increases for the lower classes. The Republicans are definitely having an identity crisis.
If they can’t get it figured out before November, the American people will vote the lot of them out of office. I promise!
Ray Steinbroner
Hilo
