[Winona Online Democracy] Bob and others, I don't think that Paul is trying to hide the issue. It's just not a personal moral question he's posed. Instead, it's a question of how the legal definition of marriage partially determines an employer's costs to support their employee. Employers, whether big or small, are required by law to treat folks as folks, and offer the same benefits to everyone. "Family coverage" can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,500 with only the narrow definition of one woman, one man. It was set up as a convenience to the employee to bundle the plans in this way, but it's not a convenience to the employer. 4 adults in a marriage, under a family coverage plan, would put an employer in a very uncomfortable position, if they are asked to provide insurance for all of the members of that family.
So if "marriage" should be legal for 2 or more adults of any gender, color, ethnicity, or sexual persuasion (which I think it should, because it is right for some people), then some other laws and practices need to be amended. For instance, employers should be able to offer health coverage to their employees, and then be able to offer a certain number of "credits" that the employee can use for other benefits. They might choose to cash in those credits for health coverage, or vacation time, or a low-cost loan for a house, or whatever that employer can offer to them. That way a single employee gets the same benefits as a married one, regardless of the number of partners in the marriage. -Clay Templeton -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Bob Sebo Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 8:26 PM To: Paul Double; Online Democracy Subject: Re: [Winona] Is it time for the discussion? Polygamy [Winona Online Democracy] Paul...enough obfuscation! Bob Sebo Winona _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
