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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Rambi who wrote (71370)	8/3/2003 1:04:02 PM
From: epicure	Respond to of 82486

I know you have mentioned that before. And I forgot. I'm glad you mentioned it again.

To: Rambi who wrote (71370)	8/3/2003 1:37:48 PM
From: Constant Reader	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 82486

Writing as "None of the Above," or "Other" if you prefer, I thought I would contribute some random thoughts. Other than official state and greater social recognition, there are possibly only two benefits obtained by legal recognition of gay civil unions ("marriage" carries a bit too much religious baggage for my taste): 1. Social Security benefits: If the average annual incomes of the two partners over their lifetimes are dramatically unequal, the spousal and survivor benefits could be greater than the lower wage-earner's regular benefit. For most retired couples I know personally, this is not true. Their individual benefits combined are greater than they would receive as a couple. Of course, this is increasingly true for many dual-income couples, regardless of sexual orientation. 2. Child Custody Arrangements: It is probable that legal recognition of gay civil unions would enhance the legal standing of surviving (and divorcing) spouses in child custody disputes. I'll use an example to illustrate a question I have about child custody: A lesbian couple want a child. They arrange for a friend to be the sperm donor and a child is born. The birth mother dies. The sperm donor applies for custody of the child. The courts agree and turn the child over to the natural father. Do you think this is right? Now, in the next court over, a judge is about about to issue a decision about another case: a twice-married woman dies, leaving behind a grieving second husband and a child from her first marriage. The natural father is contesting the step-father's request for child custody. Do you think this is right? All of the other so-called benefits of gay civil unions are already available to every couple: 1. Hospital Visitation Rights/ Healthcare Decisions: Almost every state provides legal recognition of a healthcare power of attorney. Most have standard forms that are easily filled out. 2. General Power of Attorney: This is important if one of the partners becomes incapacitated. Again, a standard form is available in most states and courts are not in the habit of ignoring the expressed wish of the maker. 3. Inheritance: A simple will may be all that is needed. A trust is even better. Courts are extraordinarily reluctant to tamper even slightly with the provisions of a trust. Trusts are wonderful things. 4. Beneficiaries: Anyone can be a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, IRA, or similar vehicle. 5. Pensions: Most large companies already allow for recognition of a partner to receive spousal benefits, if a survivor benefit is selected. (In most cases, this reduces the pension benefit by 25-50%. It is usually a bad deal.) 6. Healthcare: I understand that most large corporations now make provisions in their group plans for partners. I'm not sure about smaller companies. In the case of two working partners, this is a moot point. Now, what about the drawbacks? With thanks to the late Tammy Wynette, I can think of one: D-I-V-O-R-C-E At any rate, this is going to be a great boon to political fund-raising, silly initiatives, and even more ill-considered legislation than we normally see.