I would like to hear what Chicago residents think about how the governor signed an
"executive order" providing health benefits to gay couples. These type orders bypass
the legislative and democratic process. I, myself, didn't think it was possible to get
something as socially controversial as this in place - using my tax dollars - without
at least my elected representative or state senator having a say in it.
This has evidently been going on since last year, but slipped by myself and all my
friends somehow.
abclocal.go.com/wls/story
This posting is *not* a hate "statement" or intended to be gay bashing. I'm a self employed, married
heterosexual who's paying for my family's (rather expensive) health insurance out of my own pocket and
think this state sponsored health plan for *non-married* couples in unfair and unethical.
Michigan tried this and it backfired and is now going to cost yet more tax payers dollars
for them:
www.constitutioncenter.org/educ...shtml
If you agree this is not fair, contact your local state representative and state senator. And also try writing/emailing your local TV news station to give this story some scrutiny and exposure.
Here's how to find your local legislative reps:
www.elections.il.gov/Distric...ype.aspx
"executive order" providing health benefits to gay couples. These type orders bypass
the legislative and democratic process. I, myself, didn't think it was possible to get
something as socially controversial as this in place - using my tax dollars - without
at least my elected representative or state senator having a say in it.
This has evidently been going on since last year, but slipped by myself and all my
friends somehow.
abclocal.go.com/wls/story
This posting is *not* a hate "statement" or intended to be gay bashing. I'm a self employed, married
heterosexual who's paying for my family's (rather expensive) health insurance out of my own pocket and
think this state sponsored health plan for *non-married* couples in unfair and unethical.
Michigan tried this and it backfired and is now going to cost yet more tax payers dollars
for them:
www.constitutioncenter.org/educ...shtml
If you agree this is not fair, contact your local state representative and state senator. And also try writing/emailing your local TV news station to give this story some scrutiny and exposure.
Here's how to find your local legislative reps:
www.elections.il.gov/Distric...ype.aspx
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Re: Illinois tax payers providing health benefits to gay couples
Tue, July 3, 2007 - 7:21 PM
I'm not understanding what the "gay couple" issue for you is, because I think it's the right, proper, and Constitutionally correct thing to do. However: a) From the article: "The Illinois state treasurer's office is no longer the only state office to deny health insurance to same-sex couples, and b) in any case, iIt doesn't take an act of the legislature to grant health benefits to State employees
As to you and your dad's health insurance, I ask why we are the *only* major (and not so major) nation on the planet that does not have universal health care?
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Re: Illinois tax payers providing health benefits to gay couples
Wed, July 4, 2007 - 8:43 AMThis item also slipped by us. I don't understand how the governor of Illinois got away with this.
Gays aren't allowed to marry in the state of Illinois. So, why should they be afforded any benefits
at the expense of Illinois tax payers? It is most certainly unfair.
Joe, thank you for pointing this out. I will be getting in touch with my elected officials. -
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Re: Illinois tax payers providing health benefits to gay couples
Wed, July 4, 2007 - 9:15 AMMilly-
The word 'marriage' was never included in this. A gay couple implies a long-term serious relationship, not just a statement that they are dating. As Joe pointed out in his article, what of the children of gay couples- should they also be denied proper health care? -
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Re: Illinois tax payers providing health benefits to gay couples
Thu, July 5, 2007 - 7:28 PMBuck,
To imply that gays have some sort of special insight into long-term relationships (as compared to heterosexuals)
is both arrogant and , as it turns out, completely wrong. The hard facts show that heterosexual couples have longer
lasting monogamous relationships than homosexuals do. Don't take my word for it - check it out yourself.
You are also seriously mistaken and very misleading about your "children.... denied proper health care" statement.
No one is denying them anything and you know it. If you're referring to the Michigan article, the health care program
they have is being cancelled because the gay couples shouldn't have gotten it in the first place.
I'm a single mother, trying to raise 2 kids and working TWO jobs to pay for the health care in our family. I'm not asking
my government, or employer, to make me a special case and provide me with health benefits. If gay couples want to
adopt/have children, they need to try working instead of standing there with their hand out.
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Re: Illinois tax payers providing health benefits to gay couples
Wed, July 4, 2007 - 9:10 AM>www.constitutioncenter.org/educ...shtml<
Joe-
Where's the evidence that this backfired in Michigan? This article 'Michigan Court Ruling Against Same-Sex Partner Benefits Goes into Effect' doesn't show that... -
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Re: Illinois tax payers providing health benefits to gay couples
Wed, July 4, 2007 - 3:38 PMBuck:
The logical order for this whole gay marriage issue would seem to be: (1) first get the state to allow said
marriage or union. Then, (2) allow companies (public or private) to provide health benefits to "married"
couples. *Not* the other way around.
By providing the benefits first, Michigan public companies did a stupid thing (as Illinois did).
The fact that Michigan did it backwards is what I mean by backfiring. Don't know how else to explain it.
Now gay couples are without health benefits because of the constitutional ban against gay marriage.
Now, when Illinois bans gay marriage, gay couples with benefits will sue the state as they're doing in Michigan.
Does this really seem like the smart way to do things? -
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Re: Illinois tax payers providing health benefits to gay couples
Wed, July 4, 2007 - 11:04 PMThat's YOUR form of logic, not mine...
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