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Letters to the Editor (published) > Public Disservice: Legislators Should Focus on Real Problems

January 2008 -- I want to express appreciation to the Herald-Leader for its Dec. 19 editorial (Public Disservice: Legislators Should Focus on Real Problems) criticizing Democrat State Reps. Richard Henderson and Ancel Smith and their co-sponsors of legislation that would block Kentucky's state universities from extending health benefits to employees' unmarried, live-in partners.

It is obvious --- despite Henderson's exaggerated claims of "thousands" of constituents in his own small district calling for the legislation and bogus claims that the proposal is not "religious-driven," --- that he, Smith, and their legislative cohorts brought this matter up as a cynical election ploy to appeal to the hateful and homophobic interests of voters in their districts who are part of the radical religious right.

In a Jan. 5, 2008 article in the Herald-Leader, Henderson claims three reasons behind his support of the legislation --- that such health benefits would (1) violate the state constitution's marriage amendment that defines marriage as being between a man and a woman; (2) create a potential for "corruption" because unqualified applicants could pose as "gay lovers;" and (3) create a need to "protect family values."

All of these reasons are hogwash. The legislation has nothing to do with marriage, but domestic partners, straight and gay, for one thing. Secondly, the state marriage amendment was clearly "religious-driven," with the phrase "protect family values."

Finally, if it were so doggone easy for people to claim their non-partnered buddies on their health beneficiary form, how come more straight people aren't doing it? The answer is that under most insurance plans, adding more beneficiaries usually takes more out of the primary beneficiary's paycheck, and no matter how close a friendship, most people wouldn't do that, even for their best friend.

As a Democrat, I am disgusted with Henderson, Smith and the other members of their party who sponsored this legislation. I seriously doubt that any of them expected to gain anything other than bragging rights in tough election races that would make them win over a few conservative votes in their districts, all of which have better things to be concerned about than denying a few unmarried domestic partners health care benefits.

I urge Governor Beshear to stand by his vow to veto the legislation, if, on the off chance it is passed, and for House Speaker Jody Richards to use his authority and influence to see that it never gets out of committee. Likewise, I urge registered Democrats across the state to join me in condemning the sponsors and in stating that bigotry of any kind is not a value that our party will tolerate.

James-Clifton Spires
Political Advisor, Kentucky Equality Federation
Middlesboro, Kentucky

Posted by on Mar 1, 2008 at 11:23 am