I sent a shorter version of this in as a question for the debate being held tomorrow. Submit your own questions to debate@mainetoday.com
Much of the talk from the Yes on One folks is related to "traditional"
marriage, marriage as a way to legitimize children, and the "threat"
that marriage equality would be on marriage.
Given those viewpoints, would the Yes on One folks loudly, publicly
and immediately support the following laws:
- A law requiring all marriages be between fertile couples. Any
couples that cannot have babies (women past menopause, gay couples,
people who have had tubal ligations or vasectomies, etc) cannot be
married.
Any such couple married in another state will not be recognized as
married in Maine.
Any medical costs for pre-marriage testing must be handled by private insurance.
- Divorce is the biggest current threat to marriage, with some
estimates putting nearly 1 in 2 marriages ending in divorce.
Therefore, Maine will outlaw divorce.
Also, no divorce from other states will be recognized once the federal Defending US Mandatory Marriage Act (DUMMA) is passed. Anyone previously divorced who moves to or dies in Maine will have to deal with their spouses as married and probate for all inheritance shall be based on "as-if-married" assumptions.
- Anyone who has been previously married and divorced in another
state will not be allowed to marry in Maine.
Maine will not condone the biggest threat to marriage by allowing people to cheapen their first marriage by getting a second one.
If you are NOT willing to vote against these actual threats to
marriage, why do you call on people to vote to take away the rights of
some people to ADD to marriage?
Same-sex marriage debate
MaineToday Media and WMTW Channel 8 are co-sponsoring a debate between supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage in Maine. The debate will air live on Channel 8 from 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Submit your questions to the panelists. Please include your first name and hometown.