The ONE and the dims chipping away quietly at the moral fabric.

[CCTAU]

The left will not stop until we all accept being gay as a normal way of life.

Obama extends benefits for gay federal employees

  
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama on Wednesday expanded benefits for same-sex partners of federal employees, a move likely to be welcomed by gay rights activists who have questioned his commitment to their causes.

Obama said he had directed government agencies to offer a number of new benefits to the families of gay and lesbian federal employees, including family assistance services, hardship transfers and relocation expenses.

His directive builds on a move he made last year to offer healthcare benefits, sick leave and medical evacuation for same-sex partners of federal employees.

Obama said in a statement that while his directive was an "important step on the path to equality," existing federal law prevented him from taking further action to provide same-sex domestic partners with the same benefits offered to heterosexual married couples.

He called on Congress to swiftly pass a measure that would address that discrepancy.

Gay rights activists, who were big supporters of Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign, have criticized him for not moving fast enough to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that prevents gay men and women from serving openly in the military.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_usa_gay_rights

[Token]

He needs to get as much shit changed as he possibly can before the next election. 

[AUTiger1]

He needs to get as much poop changed as he possibly can before the next election. 

His election or Nov?  I think Nov will even things out in the house and senate and he won't be able to get shit passed. 

[Token]

His election or Nov?  I think Nov will even things out in the house and senate and he won't be able to get shit passed. 

Well, both really, but I meant the November election.  You are correct, his pushing shit through "unopposed" days are numbered. 

[Tiger Wench]

I have said for a long time that an employee should be able to extend their workplace benefits to their kids and one other adult - be it a domestic partner, a spouse, an elderly parent, etc.  The definition of "family member' is changing.  How many single people care for an elderly parent in their own home?  Are they not family?  if I want to pay the cost of insuring someone other than myself, then why not?

Then this is not a gay versus married issue - it would "generic-cise" it. 

[CCTAU]

I have said for a long time that an employee should be able to extend their workplace benefits to their kids and one other adult - be it a domestic partner, a spouse, an elderly parent, etc.  The definition of "family member' is changing.  How many single people care for an elderly parent in their own home?  Are they not family?  if I want to pay the cost of insuring someone other than myself, then why not?

Then this is not a gay versus married issue - it would "generic-cise" it. 

You can extend it to an elderly parent if that parent is claimed as a dependent.

But you might be on to something. The problem would be with folks making deals and getting a friend or extended family member added. If I were the insurance company, I would not want to open up that can. Roommates, girlfriends, boyfriends. etc.. What if they did not even live in the same state? So many un-enforcable rules would have to be made. And if you decided to charge more for that arrangement than just adding a spouse, it would be seen as another form of discrimination. Sensible idea if only people acted sensibly.

[AUChizad]

The left will not stop until we all accept being gay as a normal way of life.

So the only thing keeping you from being full-on gay is that you wouldn't be able to get the same health care benefits?

How insanely radical to not discriminate and treat homosexuals as if they're humans with the same rights as everyone else...

[CCTAU]

So the only thing keeping you from being full-on gay is that you wouldn't be able to get the same health care benefits?

How insanely radical to not discriminate and treat homosexuals as if they're humans with the same rights as everyone else...

Yes because you try to stretch your argument to make it look like this is about humans vs. animals. Go back to internet searching for insurance for your gay lover. 

[AUChizad]

Yes because you try to stretch your argument to make it look like this is about humans vs. animals. Go back to internet searching for insurance for your gay lover. 

I'm stretching?

I could see how your claim that "The left will not stop until we all accept being gay as a normal way of life" would be less crazy if they were actually rewarding people for being gay with extra privileges not awarded to heterosexuals. Unfortunately for your argument, that's not at all what is happening here. Instead they are not being penalized financially for who they choose to fuck. Don't see how this could bother you.

[CCTAU]

I'm stretching?

I could see how your claim that "The left will not stop until we all accept being gay as a normal way of life" would be less crazy if they were actually rewarding people for being gay with extra privileges not awarded to heterosexuals. Unfortunately for your argument, that's not at all what is happening here. Instead they are not being penalized financially for who they choose to fuck. Don't see how this could bother you.

You missed the whole point as usual. Heterosexuals are not AWARDED these "privileges". Married FAMILY men and women are allowed to group benefits because they chose to unite in a natural way. I can buy medical insurance for my dog too, but its not under my family plan. I guess one day if I am allowed to marry my dog, then I could add her to the family plan.

We were discussing how this is another liberal erosion of moral fabric and you come in lobbying to be the chosen go to guy for gay rights.

[AUChizad]

[bottomfeeder]

He needs to get as much shit changed as he possibly can before the next election. 

PUN 

[GarMan]

I have said for a long time that an employee should be able to extend their workplace benefits to their kids and one other adult - be it a domestic partner, a spouse, an elderly parent, etc.  The definition of "family member' is changing.  How many single people care for an elderly parent in their own home?  Are they not family?  if I want to pay the cost of insuring someone other than myself, then why not?

Then this is not a gay versus married issue - it would "generic-cise" it. 

I completely disagree.  To start, many, if not most, employers subsidize health benefits for their employees.  The fees they charge us are usually only a small amount of the total cost.  The costs of insuring an elderly person are very high.  If they permitted the enrollment of elderly parents, do you have any idea what that would do to everyone's costs?  If you're looking to insure an elderly parent, there are enough collective group policies out there where you can take advantage of shared negotiated rates, but forcing an employer to bear these financial burdens is absolutely ridiculous.  And, domestic partners?  In states that already allow domestic partner coverage, insurance fraud abounds.