Asheville City Council will be considering giving gay domestic partners of city workers benefits. It is argued that men and women living together, but not married, do not deserve the domestic partner benefits because they can get married.
Smart Growth guru Richard Florida has argued that gays bring wealth and energy to communities. It is further argued that legalizing gay marriage could provide a momentous revenue stream for government. So, in terms of modern political economics, where increasing deficits equate to prosperity, taxpayers will be investing in greater returns. I’m waiting for the counterpoint.
As the agenda item was added at the request of a council member, only one side is presented. The PowerPoint presentation raises awareness by stating, “Personal religious views are not a valid basis for denying some municipal employees the benefits that are provided to other employees.” I disagree. Contrary to implications in reports provided with the agenda item, nobody has a right to make a claim on other peoples’ money. Judeo-Christian and Muslim taxpayers will argue it is a breach of conscience for them to have to subsidize acts offensive to their gods. When the matter comes before the progressive city council, there is a good chance government, that body charged with protecting persons against forced breach of conscience, will likely in the interest of political expediency opt to perpetrate that breach.
About eighteen city employees are expected to take advantage of domestic partner benefits, but it is hoped the availing of the benefits will recruit many more “diverse” people to take advantage of them.
