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| Gay Marriage & Gay Rights|
I am for marriage equality.
As long as the government continues to grant marriage licenses to heterosexual couples, licenses should be granted to
gay couples as well. Although I do not believe it is the business of government to be involved in granting
marriage licenses, as long as the government issues marriage licenses and grants special privileges and benefits based
on marital status, the same advantages must be granted equally to all married couples.
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Another debate victory! (OR LP Convention) |
The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land protecting all citizens; no state shall supersede the U.S.
Constitutionally guaranteed rights of American citizens, and all citizens must be provided 'equal protection' of the laws.
Gay couples are entitled to equal protection of law and thus should be allowed government issued marriage licenses, and
states are required to abide by the U.S. Constitution's full faith and credit clause that requires states to recognize
other states' certifications and legal status of adoptions and marriages.
On Dec. 11, 2007 I was asked for an interview by John Barclay (writer
of the Ron Paul related article which appeared in the January 2008
issue of The Advocate). He asked me for my opinion on Ron Paul's
candidacy as it related to gay issues and my opinion on those issues
as a Libertarian presidential candidate, saying he was writing an
article for The Advocate on "Ron Paul and gay rights."
Since he did not publish any quotes from the interview I gave him in
his Jan. 2008 Advocate article about Ron Paul (but did publish quotes
from another LP presidential candidate--his article appears at
http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid51418.asp ), I share my
answers here for the benefit of those who would be interested in
what I had to say:
As a heterosexual woman & Libertarian candidate for president, I
focus on human rights and thus equal treatment by the federal
government for all.
Thus, I think in terms of "human rights" not just "gay rights," as I
believe in individual liberty for all people.
Like Ron Paul, I believe in freedom: in protecting individual liberty,
limited government, and a return to the U.S. Constitution. We both
focus on greater liberty for all Americans. Isn't that what America
is all about?
Like Dr. Paul, I think personal issues like marriage and abortion
should be kept free from federal jurisdiction so states and local
governments can make such decisions, as the Constitution intended. I
think Ron Paul has done more for the cause of liberty in our nation
than any other politician in our lifetime.
As a GOP presidential candidate, he has brought
libertarianism into the mainstream, causing people to discuss and
debate issues we both believe are extremely important such as a
non-interventionist foreign policy, the benefits of a true free market
economy, and limited government.
The cause of liberty is my goal, and thus I think it would be
wonderful if the major parties began embracing
libertarian principles, and I am grateful to Dr. Paul for what he is
doing.
Like Ron Paul, I oppose federal "hate crime" laws because they
violate the Tenth Amendment's limitations on federal power, the First
Amendment because the federal government has no business regulating
speech whatsoever, and I regard all crime as a hate crime.
All Americans must be treated equally under the law, so there should
be no "special" groups of people granted "special" rights or
protections. I oppose laws making some crimes worse than others based
on assumed motives-- every crime must
be judged on the law broken not who committed the crime, who the
victim was, or why. Further, it is clearly unconstitutional for the
federal government to assume authority in any criminal matter other
than piracy,treason, and counterfeiting. Thus, I support equality
under law for all;and strong enforcement of the existing laws we have
protecting all individuals of our nation against being harmed.
My platform on the issues you asked about, as president:
I will by executive order immediately allow openly LGBTQ people to
serve in the military.
I oppose the 'Don't Ask-Don't Tell' policy and the 'Defense of
Marriage Act.'
I will end the current tax discrimination imposed upon same-sex
couples.
I will take immediate steps to eliminate all federal discrimination
against LGBTQ people, just as I would take action to end all federal
discriminatory practices against any group of people.
I do not believe it is the business of government to be involved in
granting marriage licenses, but as long as the government issues
marriage licenses and grants special privileges and benefits based on
marital status, the same advantages must be granted equally to all
married couples.
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Listen To 'Gen. Victor Guerremonde On Gays
(Want to hear more from my friend?)
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ChristineSmith - is a Peace Driven Candidate.
Contact:
Email Campaign (for General Communications).
Email Paul Kruger (for Interview Requests & Speaking Invitations)
or call (303) 217-8848
Christine Smith for President
15400 W. 64th Ave., E9-105
Arvada, Colorado 80007 |
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