G.O.P. Senators Are Stalled in Talks on Marriage Bill
 

ALBANY — Anguished Senate Republicans held a four-hour meeting on Wednesday at which they were unable to decide even whether they would bring same-sex marriage to a vote, stalling a last-minute drive by supporters of the legislation.

The long-debated marriage measure, which has overshadowed all other issues in the final days of this legislative session, remained one vote shy of the number they needed for passage in the Republican-controlled Senate. The Democratic-controlled Assembly approved the legislation late Wednesday, by a vote of 80 to 63, and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is a strong supporter.

Dean G. Skelos, the Senate majority leader, emerged from his caucus’s meeting on Wednesday afternoon to say that Republicans had not decided how to proceed on the marriage bill, but would continue discussions on Thursday.

“We haven’t resolved anything other than that we’re going to continue our conference,” said Mr. Skelos, a Long Island Republican.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/16/ny...l?ref=nyregion


Note: Published: June 15, 2011

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[Bold added by me]

This is such a frustration; everything grinds to a halt because of an issue that has no real bearing on the economic situation of the state, the pressing needs of the citizens or is even in the primary thoughts or condsiderations of the voters. As was so well-said back in 1992, "It's the economy, stupid". These little dog-and-pony sideshows do nothing to resolve the real problems. First, fix what's really broken, then take up whoever's pet issues. Shame on both sides for this sort of nonsense.

It ought to be noted that this is the New York State Senate the article is talking about not the United States Senate.

agreed



also....


let the gays get married for Christs sake... who really gives a damn?


seriously!

show of hands as to who gives a damn about this?





does anyone here really - truly - honestly care if gays get married?

is that what we are down to?

:nope: :haha:

This may be in New York, but the same situations are happening all over the US. Here in California, we are near statewide bankruptcy, countywide bankruptcy, and municipal bankruptcy. Yet, again and again, some fringe element (and I include both parties, in this) comes along and seemingly demands that everything stop until they get what they want. What is needed is a clearly defined establishment of priorities that is worked through in order of pressing importance to the greater whole of the citizens. After real issues are dealt with, then other, narrower needs can be dealt with; all it takes is for someone to take the lead.




[humor after the rant:

Minister: "We need to take up the tax"
Groucho: "I'd like to take up the carpet."
Minister: "I still insist we take up the tax."
Groucho: "He's right - you've gotta take up the tacks before you can take up the carpet."

Groucho Marx in Duck Soup

Rivet I agree, why is this such a big deal?

it's really none of our business!

Gays should be allowed to marry.

Why should they have all the fun in life? :yep:

Ok then, you flip the bill for all the benifits these married couples will receive. I don't think the taxpayer should be on the hook for sexual behaviour.

Perfect. We should just outlaw marriage then as that involves sexual behavior and welfare children that will draw benefits.

Is there in this case any rules that he does not get married in NC, :hmmm:

Sounds good to me. People shouldn't get tax breaks for having children. If anything they should pay a penalty tax to cover the increased amount of public resources they will utilize.

Well it sounds like you would rather take care of gay couples, than take care of children and struggling families it's your money knock yourself out. Oh by the way we're broke.

The inevitable march of history and equality continues, no matter how much the backward and fearful try to stop it.

And this could be just the shot in the arm that the economy needs. The wedding planning business will be booming with new clients. Affluent, childless clients. :ping:

I don't want to take care of any of them, gay or straight. I especially don't like being forced to do so by my government.

:cool:well you need to tell that, too your governmental represenitives, I'm the one that just throws gasoline onto a housefire, too see what runs out. If anyone thinks this economically vieable, watch what businesses and the insurance companies do.

What, you mean the $100 million that gay marriage has made for Massachusetts? Or the $63.8 million that legalizing gay marriage in California would bring to the state? . Legalizing marriage for more people brings tourism and weeding planning dollars in to an economy. This is basic business sense and economics.

If you truly cared about the economics of gay marriage, you'd be all for it instead of using it as an excuse for your bigotry.

Now, now!

You can't go bringing things like logic and facts into this debate!

Woah.

First off Massachusetts has not made 100 million on gay marriage. That is just an estimate of what it might make if they overturn the old law against out of stater unsanctioned marriage and a pretty unrealistic estimate at that.

Also, making that money depends on no other state also getting into the gay marriage game. Nobody is going to travel all the way out here if they can find a similar situation closer (like say, California for example?)

In short it's a pipe dream fantasy being pushed to promote a political agenda.

According to a 2008 article in The Boston Globe, gay marriage has pumped over $100 million into the Massachusetts economy, with $5 million coming from marriage license fees and sales and occupancy taxes.

If you want to go back and buy the Boston Globe reprint of the article, have at it.

Secondly, you may be right if marriage for all was legalized nationwide. But the fact still remains that money would still be spent on marriage, providing an economic boost to whereever it was spent. And finally, equal rights doesn't need a "pipe dream fantasy" for justification. It's just simply the right thing to do and any argument to the contrary is based in bigotry.

Don't tell me what my argument is based on mookie. Name calling and belittling those that hold different opinions does not prove anything besides the degree of rudeness your side is prepared to demonstrate to achieve your divisive ends.

Your link points to a 2009 article written by a Democrat party operative and references a 2008 liberal newspaper article about repealing a 100 year old law that prohibits the state from marrying out of staters who cannot marry according to the laws of their home state, not how much Massachusetts made on gay marriage before, during or since.