Office of Senator Ben

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Senator Ben, you have been summoned by the Judiciary Committee to defend The Holding CEOs Accountable Act.  Please report ASAP!

[Kaine for Senate '18]

And here I had hoped that you'd posted an endorsement, Scott   My response is posted.

Constituents, tell me your thoughts about my work in the Senate!

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Oh, whoops.  I forgot you announced another run.  You have my endorsement, of course.

[Franzl]

I endorse, of course

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Thank you both

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Ladies and Gentlemen, my Holding CEOs Accountable Act has been passed unanimously by the Senate, a proud moment for me.  As we move closer to the election, please tell me what you think of my performance; I need your support, after all.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

If you haven't, please go vote to ratify the pending Equal Rights Amendment.  Thanks

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

If you haven't, please go vote to ratify the pending Equal Rights Amendment.  Thanks

Please vote to defeat the equal rights amendment.

[Donerail]

If you haven't, please go vote to ratify the pending Equal Rights Amendment.  Thanks

Please vote to defeat pass the equal rights amendment.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

If you haven't, please go vote to ratify the pending Equal Rights Amendment.  Thanks

Please vote to pass defeat the equal rights amendment.

I this is enacted, the national government makes further encroachments on our liberties. The regions are best suited to handle social issues not Nyman.

[Donerail]

If you haven't, please go vote to ratify the pending Equal Rights Amendment.  Thanks

Please vote to pass defeat the equal rights amendment.

If this is enacted, the national government makes further encroachments on our liberties. The regions are best suited to handle social issues not Nyman.

I fail to see how prohibiting discriminatory actions by the government is an encroachment on our liberties; it appears to be a decrease of encroachment.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

It violates the principals of duel federalism and regional sovreginity. For instance if I proposed a traditional marriage amendment this would prevent that. If a region wants to outlaw gay marriage or abortion they should be allowed to without retaliation from the national government.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I disagree.  The national government has a responsibility to ensure freedom for all citizens; it cannot, and should not, allow a region to pass discriminatory legislation.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

I disagree.  The national government has a responsibility to ensure freedom for all citizens; it cannot, and should not, allow a region to pass discriminatory legislation.

But this proposal, as I stated earlier, violates the principals of duel federalism and regional sovreginity. That's why Barry Goldwater opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. To ensure freedom of one group governments often violate the rights of another group. Like allowing abortion violates the rights of that baby in the womb or gay marriage violates the rights of religious institutions to determine who can and who can't marry. Look at what Vanderbelt did kicking the Christian groups out because they only want Christians as leaders in their groups.

[Donerail]

I disagree.  The national government has a responsibility to ensure freedom for all citizens; it cannot, and should not, allow a region to pass discriminatory legislation.

But this proposal, as I stated earlier, violates the principals of duel federalism and regional sovreginity. That's why Barry Goldwater opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. To ensure freedom of one group governments often violate the rights of another group. Like allowing abortion violates the rights of that baby in the womb or gay marriage violates the rights of religious institutions to determine who can and who can't marry. Look at what Vanderbelt did kicking the Christian groups out because they only want Christians as leaders in their groups.

Religious institutions do not determine who can and cannot marry, they determine who they shall marry and do not dictate the decrees of other religious or secular groups. Regardless, gay marriage is not recognized by the Atlasian government.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

Don't civil unions (which Atlasia does allow) basically allow gay marriage?

[Supersonic]

I disagree.  The national government has a responsibility to ensure freedom for all citizens; it cannot, and should not, allow a region to pass discriminatory legislation.

But this proposal, as I stated earlier, violates the principals of duel federalism and regional sovreginity. That's why Barry Goldwater opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. To ensure freedom of one group governments often violate the rights of another group. Like allowing abortion violates the rights of that baby in the womb or gay marriage violates the rights of religious institutions to determine who can and who can't marry. Look at what Vanderbelt did kicking the Christian groups out because they only want Christians as leaders in their groups.

Religious institutions do not determine who can and cannot marry, they determine who they shall marry and do not dictate the decrees of other religious or secular groups. Regardless, gay marriage is not recognized by the Atlasian government.

I thought it had been legal in Atlasia since '05?

[Donerail]

I disagree.  The national government has a responsibility to ensure freedom for all citizens; it cannot, and should not, allow a region to pass discriminatory legislation.

But this proposal, as I stated earlier, violates the principals of duel federalism and regional sovreginity. That's why Barry Goldwater opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. To ensure freedom of one group governments often violate the rights of another group. Like allowing abortion violates the rights of that baby in the womb or gay marriage violates the rights of religious institutions to determine who can and who can't marry. Look at what Vanderbelt did kicking the Christian groups out because they only want Christians as leaders in their groups.

Religious institutions do not determine who can and cannot marry, they determine who they shall marry and do not dictate the decrees of other religious or secular groups. Regardless, gay marriage is not recognized by the Atlasian government.

I thought it had been legal in Atlasia since '05?

Under the current law only secular civil unions are legally recognized in Atlasia and marriage is solely the dominion of the religious institutions, to do with as they wish, which means, JCL, that the institution of marriage does not necessarily include LGBT couples and the institution itself is not weakened unless a religious organization decides to marry said couple. Churches do not have to marry LGBT couples if they do not want to, and no ideology influences marriage except within the church itself. I believe (though I'm not certain) that Atlasian institutions such as (focusing solely on Christian denominations here, and accuracy may not ) the Episcopal Church, the Religious Society of Friends, the Lutheran Church, the Presbyterian Church, and the Unitarian Universalists ordain LGBT marriages, while the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Disciples of Christ, and the Northern Baptists, as well as the fundies, do not.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

Why are you so afraid of mentioning one of the evangelical sects by specific name. Just using the perjorative "fundie"  They, or I should say we, go by many names. The Church of God (Anderson, IN) The Church of God (Cleveland, TN) COGIC (Church of God in Christ), The Southern Baptist Convention, The Wesleyan Church (my former sect), the Assemblies of God (my church now) and there's many more where that comes from.

[Donerail]

Why are you so afraid of mentioning one of the evangelical sects by specific name. Just using the perjorative "fundie"  They, or I should say we, go by many names. The Church of God (Anderson, IN) The Church of God (Cleveland, TN) COGIC (Church of God in Christ), The Southern Baptist Convention, The Wesleyan Church (my former sect), the Assemblies of God (my church now) and there's many more where that comes from.

They (AFAIK) are not split on whether or not they allow gay marriage, while mainline churches are, which is why they're listed separately.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

There should have been a reasonable limits section in this amendment.

If it passes and I ever go into a government building and see bathrooms that are segregated by gender, I will flip out. You see, those bathrooms would represent a spirit of inequality and discrimination on the part of the Republic of Atlasia. I could not stand for that.

[/sarcasm]

[Supersonic]

I disagree.  The national government has a responsibility to ensure freedom for all citizens; it cannot, and should not, allow a region to pass discriminatory legislation.

But this proposal, as I stated earlier, violates the principals of duel federalism and regional sovreginity. That's why Barry Goldwater opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. To ensure freedom of one group governments often violate the rights of another group. Like allowing abortion violates the rights of that baby in the womb or gay marriage violates the rights of religious institutions to determine who can and who can't marry. Look at what Vanderbelt did kicking the Christian groups out because they only want Christians as leaders in their groups.

Religious institutions do not determine who can and cannot marry, they determine who they shall marry and do not dictate the decrees of other religious or secular groups. Regardless, gay marriage is not recognized by the Atlasian government.

I thought it had been legal in Atlasia since '05?

Under the current law only secular civil unions are legally recognized in Atlasia.

Oh my. That's even worse than I thought.

How disgusting that marriage is not recognised by the government.

[Gass3268]

Marriage should be a function of religion and not government. I am pleased that Atlasia law recognizes that.

[Donerail]

I disagree.  The national government has a responsibility to ensure freedom for all citizens; it cannot, and should not, allow a region to pass discriminatory legislation.

But this proposal, as I stated earlier, violates the principals of duel federalism and regional sovreginity. That's why Barry Goldwater opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. To ensure freedom of one group governments often violate the rights of another group. Like allowing abortion violates the rights of that baby in the womb or gay marriage violates the rights of religious institutions to determine who can and who can't marry. Look at what Vanderbelt did kicking the Christian groups out because they only want Christians as leaders in their groups.

Religious institutions do not determine who can and cannot marry, they determine who they shall marry and do not dictate the decrees of other religious or secular groups. Regardless, gay marriage is not recognized by the Atlasian government.

I thought it had been legal in Atlasia since '05?

Under the current law only secular civil unions are legally recognized in Atlasia.

Oh my. That's even worse than I thought.

How disgusting that marriage is not recognised by the government.

Please read Jefferson's letter to the Danbury Baptists.

[Marokai Backbeat]

I disagree.  The national government has a responsibility to ensure freedom for all citizens; it cannot, and should not, allow a region to pass discriminatory legislation.

But this proposal, as I stated earlier, violates the principals of duel federalism and regional sovreginity. That's why Barry Goldwater opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. To ensure freedom of one group governments often violate the rights of another group. Like allowing abortion violates the rights of that baby in the womb or gay marriage violates the rights of religious institutions to determine who can and who can't marry. Look at what Vanderbelt did kicking the Christian groups out because they only want Christians as leaders in their groups.

Religious institutions do not determine who can and cannot marry, they determine who they shall marry and do not dictate the decrees of other religious or secular groups. Regardless, gay marriage is not recognized by the Atlasian government.

I thought it had been legal in Atlasia since '05?

Under the current law only secular civil unions are legally recognized in Atlasia.

Oh my. That's even worse than I thought.

How disgusting that marriage is not recognised by the government.

You should sign my marriage initiative in the citizen's initiative thread!