Gay Marriage & GOP Hyprocrisy

The current hubbub over gay marriage points out the fundamental hypocrisy of the GOP.

While touting the time-worn cliche of "smaller government", the GOP doesn't mean that at all.  It means "smaller government" only when it comes to programs it does not like -- Medicare, Medicaid, Health Care, Student Loans, Education, etc.

But when it comes to exercising the power of the federal government to tell people how to live their lives, the GOP is all for it. 

Example #1:  Gay marriage.

Now lets start out by saying I fully understand the opposition to gay marriage.  I've followed a Barack Obama style evolution.  I opposed gay marriage, while supporting civil unions.  Seeing the experience of several states which have adopted gay marriage, I have reached a view that gay marriage should be permitted. 

This does not mean that any church or religion must recognize such marriages from the standpoint of the recognizing it as a holy union.  That is within the freedom of each religion.  But it does mean that the state would recognize such a union for purposes of health care benefits, inheritance, and right to make health care and funeral decisions.

However, like President Obama, I believe this is up to each state. The specifics of marriage have largely been left to the states, and I think that's where the issue should reside.

But not Republicans.  Those champions of small government.  Those folks who believe in freedom, and say President Obama is attacking freedom by providing a health care bill. 

No.  They want a constitutional amendment.  An amendment that would abolish the laws in the seven states (including Iowa, for gosh sakes) that permit gay marriage.  They want to dictate from Washington.  For an article on this, CLICK HERE.

So don't tell me that the GOP is for smaller less intrusive government.  They want smaller government when it comes to regulating Wall Street.  But when it comes to regulating personal lives, they want everyone to live like Ozzie and Harriett. And they are willing to use the power of the federal government (and state governments, too), to enforce that on people who don't agree with them.

(See Richard Murdock -- but that's a discussion for another day).