Now that the Republican presidential candidate field is rounding out its top contenders, it’s time to take a look at how they feel and what they think about the issues. One of those issues that they all seemingly love to share their opinion on to appease their ridiculously conservative ultra-right-wing base, is marriage equality.
As Democrats rally around equality for all, Republicans, even though they scream “freedom” at any free moment they get, haven’t quite grasped the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution and the freedom to marry.
To catch a glimpse of what we have to look forward to at the upcoming Republican presidential debates, here are the opinions of marriage equality from the seven top contenders in the Republican field of candidates.
Marco Rubio
“I appreciate that many Americans’ attitude towards same-sex marriage have changed in recent years. I respect the rights of states to allow same-sex marriages, even though I disagree with them. But I also expect that the decisions made by states like Florida to define marriage as between one man and one woman will also be respected.”
So he believes in individual states ignoring the 14th Amendment and the Supremacy Clause that hold the 14th Amendment to each and every state. Got it.
Rand Paul
“I think this is the conundrum and gets back to what you were saying in the opening – whether or not churches should decide this. But it is difficult because if we have no laws on this people take it to one extension further. Does it have to be humans?”
Rand Paul apparently wants to marry his pet goat, because why else would he ask that? And no, Paul, two consenting adults who have equal protection under the law are not the same thing as someone wanting to marry an animal.
Jeb Bush
“I hope that we can show respect for the good people on all sides of the gay and lesbian marriage issue — including couples making lifetime commitments to each other who are seeking greater legal protections and those of us who believe marriage is a sacrament and want to safeguard religious liberty.”
In the closest any of them have come to actually acknowledging gay people deserve equal rights, Bush craftily tries to dodge any and all questioning surrounding the topic. Basically saying, gay people deserve equal protections, but if religious people want to pretend they are following their religious text and prohibit them from those protections, well, that’s cool too. It’s the classic non-answer. Which, can be worse than just being a flat out bigot sometimes, because at least we know where the bigot stands on the issue.
Mike Huckabee
“In today’s world, what real love means is interpreted as hate and if you tell someone what the truth is, you’ll be accused of hate speech.”
So, what is “real love” and “the truth,” Huckabee? Please enlighten us. Something tells me those who are accusing you of “hate speech” are spot on.
He also said:
“Christian convictions are under attack as never before. Not just in our lifetime, but ever before in the history of this great republic. We are moving rapidly toward the criminalization of Christianity.”
No. Just…. no.
Ben Carson
“Because a lot of people who go into prison, go into prison straight and when they come out they are gay.”
Is he speaking from experience? No, Carson. Being gay doesn’t work that way, just like we can assume you didn’t choose one day to be straight… or maybe you did.
Carly Fiorina
“We are having now a clarifying debate about what is really at stake here for gay couples…what’s really at stake here for gay couples is how government bestows benefits. What’s really at stake here for people of religious conviction is their conviction that marriage is a religious institution because only a man and a woman can create life, which is a gift that comes from God. And I think both of those points of view are valid, and I really hope that we come to a place in this country where we are prepared to have respectful differences and tolerate those two views.”
You, in your personal life, can believe marriage is a religious institution. However, in a secular nation of many religions and ways of thinking, and under the Equal Protection Clause, all citizens are to be treated equally under the law regardless of religious affiliation. Marriage is a state contract, with over 1000 rights and benefits attached.
Ted Cruz
“If you look at other nations that have gone down the road towards gay marriage, that’s the next step of where it gets enforced. It gets enforced against Christian pastors who decline to perform gay marriages, who speak out and preach biblical truths on marriage, that has been defined elsewhere as hate speech, as inconsistent with the enlightened view of government. I think there is no doubt that the advocates who are driving this effort in the United States want to see us end up in that same place.”
In a place where everyone is treated equally regardless of religious affiliation? Sure, Ted! We’re on the same page! Oh wait, no. You think Christians are being persecuted because they’ll be required to follow the Constitution. Oh, and speaking out against a specific subset of citizens and saying they’re not worth of equality because of who they are… hate to break it to you, Ted, but that is hate speech.
Needless to say, the pandering is over the top because the people who they are trying to garner votes from hate gay people and cheer discrimination. So, even if some of them may actually err to the side of freedom, actual freedom, they’re not about to show it.
Featured image via NewNowNext
Source: Addictinginfo.com
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