The “Defense of Marriage Act” that prohibits federal recognition of gay marriages is under assault in the courts. The Obama administration has repudiated it and taken piecemeal steps to weaken its effects. When DOMA was passed overwhelmingly by Congress in 1996 and signed by President Bill Clinton, it was a pre-emptive strike; there were no legally married same-sex couples in the United States.
COMMENTS:
Let me begin by saying that I am against gay marriage. That having been said, let me also insist that the Federal Government has no business sticking its damned nose into the issue; these are states’ rights we are talking about and the Feds are exceeding their authority. I said so when Clinton signed that bill and I will say so now. I wish Thomas Jefferson was around to straighten Washington out.
TODAY’S QUERIES & ANSWERS:
Q. I thought that Congress had the sole authority to make laws, but I also hear that the White House is enacting laws when the Congress won’t do what Obama tells them to. How can this be? (Robert ~ Kent, WA)
A. Congress makes law and the Executive Branch enacts regulations to implement and carry out those laws. It’s been done before, but Obama is making an art out of enacting regulations that don’t have anything to do with established laws. For example, Congress refused to enact legislation to stick the government’s nose into the Internet, but the FCC adopted a “net neutrality” type regulation to apply to the Internet. They also enacted EPA rules to get around the Congressional decision not to enact Cap & Trade. But, the House is fighting back, vowing to cut all funding to support that move.
Q. If AARP is making billions, how can it be a tax-exempt organization? (Barry ~ Trinity, CA)
A. GE also makes billions and pays no taxes. It’s all done by making creative use of the tax laws. To this extent, I believe that large firms and the rich do need to pay more taxes but, not by changing their rates. The tax loopholes need to be closed. In AARP’s case, they have operating subsidiaries and associations, such as United Health.
Q. Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio are some of the states that are really facing financial problems. They have no more stimulus money and the unions are doing everything they can not to cooperate with them. What is going to happen? (Sandie ~ Corte Madera, CA)
A. Like sports stadiums, maybe they can get some corporate sponsors. How about “Indiana, the Shell State,” or “Washington, the Microsoft State?” Oh, and “California, the Prozac State.”
TODAY’S QUOTE:
“We have the best government that money can buy.” ~ Mark Twain
TODAY’S VIDEO:
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