Melissa Etheridge to Stop Paying Taxes Due to Prop 8

[Anarky]

Surprisingly, nobody has died. But I'm pretty sure that if we dig hard enough, we can find a quasi-interesting death to which we all say "Oh, I'm so sorry!"

But in the meantime, there's this. I assume everyone knows what Proposition Eight was? If not, have a bit of a catchup:

Proposition 8 is a California State ballot proposition that would amend the state Constitution, to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, overturning a recent California Supreme Court decision that had recognized same-sex marriage in California as a fundamental right. The official ballot title language for Proposition 8 was "Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry". On the day after the election, the results remained uncertified. With 100% of precincts reporting, the vote was 52.5% in favor of Proposition 8 and 47.5% against, with a difference of about 504,000 votes as many as 3 million absentee and provisional ballots remain to be counted

Now, to make this interesting or even relevant, we need celebrities to attach to it. Someone already mentioned George Takei, so I can't use that anymore. I'll use Melissa Etheridge instead. And not just because she's openly gay and used to be married to a woman - technically still would be, but Prop Eight makes that a bit... ambiguous - no, Melissa Etheridge has actually got something to say. Something interesting.

Okay. So Prop 8 passed. Alright, I get it. 51% of you think that I am a second class citizen. Alright then. So my wife, uh I mean, roommate? Girlfriend? Special lady friend? You are gonna have to help me here because I am not sure what to call her now. Anyways, she and I are not allowed the same right under the state constitution as any other citizen. Okay, so I am taking that to mean I do not have to pay my state taxes because I am not a full citizen. I mean that would just be wrong, to make someone pay taxes and not give them the same rights, sounds sort of like that taxation without representation thing from the history books.
Okay, cool I don't mean to get too personal here but there is a lot I can do with the extra half a million dollars that I will be keeping instead of handing it over to the state of California. Oh, and I am sure Ellen will be a little excited to keep her bazillion bucks that she pays in taxes too. Wow, come to think of it, there are quite a few of us fortunate gay folks that will be having some extra cash this year. What recession? We're gay!
Oh and too bad California, I know you were looking forward to the revenue from all of those extra marriages. I guess you will have to find some other way to get out of the budget trouble you are in.

"Wait, but she can't!" you say? I say she's got every damn right to not support a system that is based on freedom and the right for everyone to be happy (see "We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." for further reference). So good on her. Go Melissa and I hope she'll find many supporters.

Of course, knowing the state, they'll throw her and whoever supports her into jail at some point, but that may or may not be slightly illegal, depending on how you define the right to protest.

All in all, this pleases me.

All I gotta say is F*** YEAH!

Screw you, you ignorant, selfish, narrow-minded bastards! I'm talking to those who are against equal rights ofcourse. lol

It's sad to think we still got so many unevolved human-creatures among us. They live in their caves with their eyes closed shut and their fingers in their ears, with their corrupted religious ideas. Remember that psycho woman who's like "God hates gays"? She's pretty much the new Hitler.

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

She can always move to Massachussetts...

[BigApple3AM]

There are legal ways to protest. And I don't see any connection between not paying taxes and gay rights. So any time someone feels slighted they can say decide not to pay their taxes? That's like if someone was handicapped and there's no ramp or elevator for a building so instead of asking them to put one in or fighting for it legally they say they just won't pay their taxes. (More likely they'd sue, this is America.)

"Wait, but she can't! you say? I say she's got every damn right

Unfortunately you're not the law, and this is hardly the first time someone hasn't truly been equal, yet they all pay their taxes anyway. Why? Because taxes help society as a whole, not just an evil govermental regime.

Of course, knowing the state, they'll throw her and whoever supports her into jail at some point, but that may or may not be slightly illegal, depending on how you define the right to protest.

Nope it's quite illegal. Ask Wesley Snipes.

Basically we are a democracy, there was a proposition put out there legally and the people voted. Are they all mindless a**holes? Yeah probably. Or maybe they were confused on whether for prop 8 meant for gay rights or against gay rights. If she was serious about wanting these rights she should do it legally. If she was just making a point and still pays her taxes then she'll probably get a lot of publicity for this little speech and hopefully next time it comes to vote the people will be more open minded.

[Jester]

Oh, I don't see this ending well...

[Anarky]

Nope it's quite illegal. Ask Wesley Snipes.

That depends on how the lawyers will twist it. You might get away with it as "form of protest." But you'd have to be damn good. And the half million Etheridge saves by not paying taxes can be excellently allocated to pay for Sith Lawyers of Ed Fagan caliber. Snipes was just "Meh, not paying, bluh, don't feel like it."

She can always move to Massachussetts...

Would you move just because some law says you can't be who your are anymore? I mean, if Krang was to decide that people who are or were named after tanks are not allowed on this forum, would you just move to another forum? Nothing holding you here, like friends, that warm, cozy feeling that you're somewhat at home? Sure, it's a bit of a bad example, but I hope you see my point.

Because taxes help society as a whole, not just an evil govermental regime.

Why help a society who doesn't let you be who you are? Why help someone who doesn't want you to be the way you are and expects help to be who they are?

You're my hero of the week, Anarky.

[BigApple3AM]

Originally Posted by Anarky

Why help a society who doesn't let you be who you are? Why help someone who doesn't want you to be the way you are and expects help to be who they are?

To be the better person. It's not fair, I know. But if that's how everyone felt why should straight people help these gay people get equal rights? Basically what goes around comes around, and to stop paying taxes screws everyone. All that makes me as a straight person want to do is kick them out or put them in jail. That's not a good form of protest, and it acutally does make them second class citizens in effect. You have to do something to proves you AREN'T a second class citizen. Cutting yourself off from society is foolish.

And again, gay people are not the first to be held to a lower demeanor. White, Straight, Nondisabled Males hold the most privilege/power in this country. Although we have a half black President (which is awesome) we still have a lot of work to do. If you read the statistics it's some pretty scary stuff (employers are 50% less likely to call someone in for an interview if their name sounds African/black, and this was done recently!).

And yeah Wesley Snipes reason was extremely lame, and this woman's reason has purpose, but that doesn't change the fact that when you fight the law... the law is going to win.

All I'm really saying here is that an alternative way to protest would be much better than not paying taxes. She's going to get a huge backlash from all those who voted for the proposition, and maybe even some from those who voted against it.

[Mecha Cow]

"Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry"

I'm sorry, I don't give a damn what your opinion on the subject is, but if you vote 'yes' on something that eliminates rights from other people, you suck. Seriously. No excuses.

While this may not be the best form of protest I applaud their efforts to raise awareness on this medieval bullsh*t.

Originally Posted by Mecha Cow

I'm sorry, I don't give a damn what your opion on the subject is, but if you vote 'yes' on something that eliminates rights from other people, you suck. Seriously. No excuses.

While this may not be the best form of protest I applaud their efforts to raise awareness on this medieval bullsh*t.

Well said!
Can you believe that it's these stupid apes that are running the country?
Hopefuly Obama will help rid the nation of such scum.

[Sewer Bull]

How about single gay people? Are they allowed not to pay taxes as well, even if they're not going to marry in the nearest future?

Sexual orientation shouldn't be an excuse for anything.

[Archon_Turtle]

Originally Posted by Ryona

Well said!
Can you believe that it's these stupid apes that are running the country?
Hopefuly Obama will help rid the nation of such scum.

Unfortunately, I believe Obama supported Prop 8

Incase you're curious who these asses are. If you look at the california counties that voted for prop 8...they are the exact same counties that re-elected dumbo in 2004. You know...the smart folk.

Originally Posted by Archon_Turtle

Unfortunately, I believe Obama supported Prop 8

Incase you're curious who these asses are. If you look at the california counties that voted for prop 8...they are the exact same counties that re-elected dumbo in 2004. You know...the smart folk.

Just goes to show.

I don't blame people for voting for Bush the first time in 2000, because we had yet to see what he was capable of. He might have been a good choice.
But people voting for him again in 2004 after all his garbage? That's incredibly stupid.

[Masked Ninja]

Originally Posted by Ryona

I don't blame people for voting for Bush the first time in 2000, because we had yet to see what he was capable of. He might have been a good choice.
But people voting for him again in 2004 after all his garbage? That's incredibly stupid.

Some of us looked at the choices and were of the opinion that Kerry would be even worse. I know I voted against Kerry in 2004 more than I voted for Bush.

Judgement FTL.

And I'm not gonna even touch my feelings on this topic, lest I be lynched... except to say: This is a (representative) democracy, so what the majority believes is supposed to carry some weight. I thoroughly expect this issue to be brought to the table again next election though, given it was so close. It's really not like the end of the world for homosexual couples. They'll have a chance to marshall their forces and turn it around in the future.

I really wish there was an easy solution to this.

[BigApple3AM]

Originally Posted by Ryona

Well said!
Can you believe that it's these stupid apes that are running the country?
Hopefuly Obama will help rid the nation of such scum.

This kind of thinking won't get anyone anywhere.

And Obama won't do anything to help unfortunately. I remember back to Bill Clinton, when he was newly elected he was faced with the issue of gays in the army. Even though he supported gay rights, as president he couldn't do anything that would divide the country or ruin his popularity rating so he came up with don't ask don't tell. Don't expect Obama to be a major liberal in office either, he even said he wants to be a uniter not a divider. Unfortuantely these are the trade offs we'll continue to have until public perception changes (which really isn't that far off, hopefully).

Regarding Bush... Well what can I say. Sure Kerry might not have been ideal but I still think he would have been better than Bush. But that's all moot since Gore should have been president

[GK Punk]

Discrimination is Discrimination.

I also believe the Prop 8 people were practically false advertising what the prop meant. The ads were more about "Don't let them teach Gay Marriage in schools!" which was not what the Pop was about. The prop took human rights away from people. Let's keep in mind there was a time when the same was done to The Japanese, African Americans, and Mexicans many years ago. Either people are equal, or they are not. This Pop basically says Gays are not equal, and that is not right.

Originally Posted by Masked Ninja

I really wish there was an easy solution to this.

There is an easy solution... For half of America to stop being such f***ing dinosaurs and allow everyone to love eachother without bounderies like gender, race, social status, etc.

[Mecha Cow]

This is a democracy

No. This excuse gets thrown around far too often. There is nothing democratic about this. Many wrongs don't make a right.

Let's keep in mind there was a time when the same was done to The Japanese, African Americans, and Mexicans many years ago. Either people are equal, or they are not. This Pop basically says Gays are not equal, and that is not right.

This.

As for Obama, his position on the subject seems to be that he's personally against it but legally in favor of it, though he's been a bit vague about it all. I expect him to take action however since this goes against a lot of the things he's said.

[Type 97 Chi-ha]

Originally Posted by Anarky

Would you move just because some law says you can't be who your are anymore? I mean, if Krang was to decide that people who are or were named after tanks are not allowed on this forum, would you just move to another forum? Nothing holding you here, like friends, that warm, cozy feeling that you're somewhat at home? Sure, it's a bit of a bad example, but I hope you see my point.

It's Krang's right to do that, isn't it? A number of people have been banned from this forum, presumably for valid reasons.

Sorry, but "gay marriage" is no more a right that it is a right to have multiple spouses. The government does have the right to say who can marry whom; and no, religion has nothing to do with it. At the end of Gilbert and Sullivan's H. M. S. Pinafore, Sir Joseph marries his first cousin (her idea), which was legal in Britain, at least at the time. I don't believe it is legal here. If gay marriage is a right, then we are real dinosaurs for not allowing cousins to marry as well.

[ToTheNines]

I don't get why marriage is such a huge deal, no one said gay people can't live together and be married, just not in the legal sense.