Obamacare Survives

CNN reports: (quote):

"In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court saved the controversial health care law that will define President Barack Obama's administration for generations to come.

The ruling holds that the Affordable Care Act authorized federal tax credits for eligible Americans living not only in states with their own exchanges but also in the 34 states with federal marketplaces. It staved off a major political showdown and a mad scramble in states that would have needed to act to prevent millions from losing health care coverage."

This is great news! Especially for LGBT families where coverage and inclusion are not guaranteed. Due to this ruling, we are not only able to secure adequate medical and Rx coverage, but our health care can be more protected legally. Meaning, if one of us is ill or cannot speak for ourselves--hopefully our union is more likely to be honored by health care providers. PLUS, our spot at one another's bedside will not be usurped.  (read more through this link...)

People talk a lot about "why Obamacare is not a good idea." However, I remember the years before the Affordable Care Act. My spouse was denied due to mental health issues. I was denied because my BMI was higher than "ideal." "Fortunately" at that time I owned my own business and was able to construct a "group insurance plan" through my LLC. But, make no mistake about it, the plan was much more costly than any plan I have read about through the Affordable Care Act (or through previous employers), and was substandard in coverage and reimbursement. So, I don't know what all the naysayers are upset about.

I am just thankful today that we are getting all our ducks in a row at this time to take care of our union and protect our "rights."

What will come of the 2012 Election?

I don't have a great deal of time (or patience) to follow politics, but I can't help but be disheartened when I see the canvas of the 2012 election being painted by ultra conservative individuals who desire to set the country back years in the name of "progress."

President Obama has been the 1st president to support equal rights for same sex unions. President Obama successfully led the repeal of DADT. These are likely 2 reasons that reactionary conservatives may vote against Obama. You see, a vote for Romney may be in many cases more accurately a vote against Obama. The lesser of 2 evils as it were. What ever happened to the separation of church and state anyway?
Here is an article why some people will be voting for Obama. I am looking for real reasons why conservatives will be voting for Romney. Many conservative voters have historically been evangelical Christians. How do mainstream Christians feel about Romney being a Mormon? Well, as I said above, it seems like a conservative may just vote for anyone who is against any gay rights issues.

Here is a link for a fairly current map of how the electoral votes currently fall in favor of each candidate. Time will tell how the polls eventually shake out, and what actually happens in the November 2012 vote.


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The 1st President to support...

...same-sex marriage in American history is our current President, Obama. USA Today is calling it a "political gamble," but the White House spokesman was quick to clarify that it was President Obama's personal opinion, and that he still believes the marriage equality issue should still ultimately be up to each individual State's decision.

Bridge's readers know why I am not "for" gay marriage anymore... and that is basically because no matter what each State decides, without DOMA being repealed, in the end it nets the LGBT community very little as far as Federally recognized relationship rights and protections.

GLBT

same sex marriage

same-sex-relationships

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Marriage & Relationship Recognition

 

Separation of Church and State

Does anyone else ever wonder about the sanctity of marriage argument in a Country where there is supposed to be "separation of church and state"? I mean honestly, why are atheists or Buddhists (etc.) able to enter into the sacred institution of marriage... and yet for religious reasons "marriage" is kept out of reach of same-sex couples? That is why I said that I am not for gay marriage anymore. It's all disingenuous posturing and double standards. The argument is invalid.

Marriage & Relationship Recognition

GLBT

same sex marriage

same-sex-relationships

lgbt

Legalization Is 'Inevitable'

The subject title of this post is based on a recent quote by Vice President Biden, who declared same-sex marriage "all but inevitable in the U.S." (a claim that may be news to President Obama).

"I think the country's evolving and I think there's an inevitability for a national consensus on gay marriage," he said in comments also reported by the New York Daily News. 

Read more about this here where you'll also see a brief clip of George Stephanopoulos' interview with the Vice President.

Well, hope springs eternal, but this may be a tall order with DOMA in place and only 2 years left in the Obama/Biden administration.
Time will tell. I wish our leaders would evolve already on some of these human rights issues!