The Contentious Propositions

I have a confession to make. I am utterly overwhelmed by the scope of the stakes in next week's election. I've been coping by narrowing my focus to local issues, where I feel as though I can make some difference. I have, maybe, but there's so much more out there that needs attention.

For example, there are two statewide propositions, one in Michigan and one in California, that need attention. One is the product of those who would make everyone else bear the burden of their narrow views of morality. One is an attempt to block this thoughtless, moralistic behavior.

Over at denialism blog, PalMD is disecting the case against Michigan's Proposition 2. Proposition 2 deals with human embryonic stem cell research. It would exempt Michigan from the kind of state-by-state battling that's marked the abortion debate by keeping anyone from passing laws that are more restrictive than the federal laws. Needless to say, some people aren't happy about this.

Every Sunday---early in the afternoon---anti-Prop 2 signs pop up like crocuses in March. Religious groups are making the usual arguments equating HESCs with little homunculi who are being murdered in the name of Science. But just in case going to church and hearing your pastor telling you how to vote is too subtle, there is the horrible, horrible beast---the Michigan Man-Cow.

Go take a peek at the horrid monster.

DrugMonkey is trying to find the rationale behind California's Proposition 8, but he's only finding rationalizations.

You will recall from your history books that even slavery and women's suffrage issues were surrounded by (crap) rationalizations. The argument was not "just because". And now, most Americans find the argument that other people should be chattel because of the shade of their skin or their place of origin wrong. Most Americans think that women are quite capable of voting in a way that will not RUINZ! our country. We have, as a population, shed many, many of our bigotries and mis-beliefs in the name of equality, democracy and civil rights. We look back and often sneer at those wrongheaded and ignorant views of past generations.

Well, I'm sneering at the H8rs right about now. What on earth is wrong with you people?

What, indeed. I've been married eleven years, but I'm surrounded by friends who have been in stable, committed, productive relationships years longer than that. Together, they've raised kids, renovated run-down city housing, created art, supported charities with money and time, worked through tough spots that have led to divorce in other couples. They've been an inspiration to so many of my generation, raised as we were by parents who didn't choose mates wisely or manage to stay together. They showed us that we could.

About half of them are married. The other half have never had that opportunity, not legally. That this opportunity is held just out of their reach by the shape of a couple of chromosomes is beyond ridiculous.

DrugMonkey is right. It's all about the h8, which is no basis for politics. Or much of anything else, for that matter.