First, please understand that I do not like McCain's health plan -- no way, no how. I am only writing this because there is an interesting aspect to it (if I'm understanding things correctly) regarding fairness for same-sex couples. I just thought I'd share. (Apres le jump.)
My partner (a MAN, baby) and I have been together for about 9 years. We are not married, because NY does not yet allow for such heathenry, thanks to the Republicans who control our State Senate and four brain-dead judges of our Court of Appeals. If the status of recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages gets a bit clearer here, then we may go to Ptown one day and tie the knot. But that still won't change the situation I'm about to describe.
My partner's firm offers domestic-partner health benefits, and the way the numbers shake out it's cheaper for me to be on his than my own (much smaller) company's plan. But here's the deal: because we're not married, my portion of the benefits is required by federal law to be treated as taxable income -- whereas, spousal benefits are tax-free. And, moreover, even if we were married, because of the Defense of Marriage Act (thank you, Republicans -- and Bill Clinton), a same-sex marriage is not recognized as a "marriage" under federal law and the same situation would apply.
All in all, this costs us about $1200 a year more than if we were a different sex married couple. Mostly it's not the money that rankles, it's the unequal treatment. But you know, 1200 bucks is 1200 bucks, too.
McCain's health plan, though, would make all employer-provided health benefits taxable. So, if I am understanding this correctly, the unequal treatment of same-sex couples would be eliminated -- EVERYONE would enjoy the pleasure of the increased taxes. Voila! A blow for equal marriage rights from John McCain. That's mavericky alright!
(Caveat: It may very well be that on the tax-credit side, McCain's plan would re-introduce the same inequality, although from a quick look I didn't see that would happen.)
Okay, so to reiterate: I don't want to see this come to pass. Obviously I'd much rather see equality through eliminating the extra tax we now have to pay. But I do find it amusing, and if (Goddess forbid) it ever came to pass, there would be just a little bit of me glad to know that everyone else was experiencing things the way we are. Schadenfreude? You betcha!