Regarding Emily Bazelon’s Sunday Viewpoints commentary “A historic, full-throated stand for equality”: Emily characterizes the Supreme Court’s recent decision as making “the lives of thousands of people instantly better” and ends her writing with “its also about equal rights.”
So, let’s take it to the next level. Why should married people (gay or traditional) have, as Emily states: “federal benefits raining down,” compared to un-married people?
The thousands of people who will benefit from the recent decision, pale in comparison to the many millions of single people, who for lack of a piece of paper are treated unequally. This is particularly true in our military — married service members receive more total compensation than single members for the same work.
I can’t disagree with treating all married people equally. But, my contention is: married people should not be treated differently than unmarried people in the first place. It’s good that the gay married couples appear to be winning their campaign, but, there should not have been a prize to be won.
Our country is as biased in terms of married vs unmarried, as it once was in terms of gay vs. straight. I am married. That was my decision, and I didn’t do it for the benefits.
John Miller
Marysville
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
