I was reading an article on The Hill today Jeb: Show Respect in Gay Marriage Debate and I became very confused by the end of it. On Tuesday the ban on same-sex marriage will be lifted in Florida. When asked about this, Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, stated on Monday, “we live in a democracy, and regardless of our disagreements, we have to respect the rule of law, I hope that we can also 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.” Many Conservatives I know believe the issue of same-sex marriage should be a state issue, and in turn this is an acceptable and fair statement to make. Jeb Bush has even stated previously that he believes that same-sex marriage is a state issue. And some see his statement as wobbling or flip-flopping on that. I disagree. He seems to be saying that all branches of the government should be respected.
The truth is Jeb Bush’s statement should be taken as a victory. A leader in the conservative party is telling conservatives that they should respect the law of the land and the people who are given rights by it (I wonder if Jeb would make the same statement if talking about abortion rights?). The truth is, there is always going to be racism, sexism, bigotry, and all the other hate words that I can’t even think of at the moment. Isn’t respect the right direction?
Mo Elleithee, DNC communication director, hammers Jeb Bush for his statement saying, “It took Jeb Bush 69 words to say absolutely nothing — 69 words not to say, ‘I support marriage equality.’ Nothing’s changed. At the end of Bush’s statement, he still had the same position: he opposes the right of gay and lesbian Floridians — and all LGBT Americans — to get married and adopt children.”
I think Mr. Elleithee is wrong, J. Bush’s statement is more powerful that he thinks. We live in a Democracy, and we don’t have to agree with each other, thank goodness, but we should all respect each other and the rule of law. Bush’s statement doesn’t need to say that he agrees with gay marriage, it says something more important, it says that the people who are entering into a life long commitment should be respected.
If J. Bush had made the same statement in the last election there would be no way that he would still be considered a front-runner. I recently read an article where Kid Rock, a noted Republican, stated that he is fiscally conservative but socially doesn’t really care as long as it doesn’t affect him. I think that if the Republican party really wants a real shot at making change in this country that is where they should be looking. For too long the media and Congress has been too worried about what’s been going on in my bedroom and vagina, maybe they should be worrying about things that I can’t take care of for myself.
