1. What are "domestic partnerships?"
The more accurate phrase is homosexual partnerships. The phrase "domestic partner" is a legal fiction created by homosexuals and non-married people who think they are entitled to the same benefits and recognition from society that marriage receives.
2. Are the ten weeks of leave provided in LD 375 paid or unpaid?
While the ten weeks of leave are unpaid, it is forced on the employer by the government as an unfunded mandate. The employer must provide the ten weeks, and the employer must hire the employee back after the leave.
Maine's economic system is built on FREE enterprise. We honor our businesses here by not babysitting them. Justice does not require government's intervention in this matter. While the leave is unpaid, it is not without cost. The employer has to do something during those ten weeks. While it MAY BE legitimate for government and business to honor an employee's spouse and children with this benefit, it is not right for our institutions to honor sodomy in this way. The practice of unhealthy lifestyles should not qualify anyone for societal benefits.
3. How are these special rights instead of equal rights?
Anytime a law like this fails to distinguish between civilization-forming sexual practices and civilization-destroying sexual perversions, then "special rights" are being created. Aristotle said, "Injustice arises when equals are treated unequally, and when unequals are treated equally." There is nothing "equal" about pretending that something evil is good, or vice versa. There is, however, something very "special" (in the negative sense of that word) about these particular "rights." For more on this topic click here.
4. What is the real reason for this bill?
It is designed to create a successful court case in the future for homosexuality. Same-sex marriage is the pot full of gold at the end of their rainbow. This bill will continue to lay the foundation for equality of sexual practices if it becomes law. Moral sex must be equal to immoral sex for the public to accept same-sex marriage. That is what this bill is about: giving immoral sex the same support as moral sex in the law. If this were not the case, then a prohibition of immoral sexual practices would be included in the definition of "domestic partner." It is not. Therefore, this bill is unjust ... and certainly not Christian.
5. Does the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland (ME) support "domestic partnerships"?
Yes.
6. This bill allows elderly sisters to get benefits, therefore it will be a proper law if passed, correct?
A square stop sign painted pink instead of red is still a stop sign. It is not, however, a lawful stop sign simply because the sign features the word "Stop." A lawful stop sign is a red hexagon, by law.
If businesses and the state want to honor elderly celibate sisters with 10 weeks of unpaid leave then they should say that this is what they want to do. That isn't what they are saying. They are saying that immoral and unhealthy sexual practices are irrelevant to the definition of "partner" and couple.
The goal here is same-sex marriage. Make no mistake. This is like the state saying that the color and shape of a stop sign are irrelevant to the effectiveness of a stop sign. It is like allowing the road department to put up square pink stop signs as well as normal stop signs. This is redefining and making a wreck out of family and marriage in Maine.
7. Why didn't the League testify at the Legislative public hearing?
There is no law compelling the League to appear at any committee's public hearing. Mainers know that these hearings, especially on matters related to common sense sexual matters, are a waste of time. The forces of our culture that wish to paganize our laws control the process. People have figured that out. That is why only one person submitted testimony in opposition to this bill at the hearing.
Is it possible for any sane person to believe that this bill would be a good law simply because the homosexuals organized an impressive sounding 90 minutes of testimony in front of a closed-minded legislative committee? This is the same committee and legislature (mostly) that endorsed a completely unqualified lobbyist to serve as Labor Commissioner. Laura Fortman's only qualification was years of lobbying for abortion rights as head of the ultra-leftist Maine Women's Lobby.
The League is smart enough to know that the only hope of change rests with the people of Maine. If they choose to remain silent, no amount of back-slapping and testifying under the Capitol Dome is going to bring about a course correction.
8. Why does this bill sound so good in my local newspaper and on the television news?
Because the media is liberal. In Maine, it is ultra-liberal. The media is no different than any other group: like begets like. For decades the media has been populating itself with people who are politically liberal. New England is the most liberal region in the nation. This is not a conspiracy, it is human nature.
The media is no more about balance and objectivity than the idea of same-sex marriage is about marriage. The herd instinct is powerful. Maine's media is herding anyone who listens to it toward a hellish oblivion where marriage means men who have sex with each other can raise children to never know a mother. If that makes sense to you, then you need to become a journalist, or a politician.
9. I thought I elected a representative who would think for himself. Why is the media so powerful?
Many politicians often think about the next election. Many are hoping to be elected to higher office. As America has moved away from common sense on matters related to family, marriage and human sexuality -- and as we have decided to create a much more permissive culture -- those among us who wish to be powerful learn quickly that they must accept drinking, drugging, gambling and pansexuality.
It is not necessary for a culture to be permissive and promiscuous in order to be free. Politicians need the media (and vice versa) in order to hold onto their power. Those who are involved tend to be less interested in positive change than they are interested in power. This is human nature. We are all fallen creatures. We long for the peace of Eden, but we aren't going to have it in this world -- especially if we take a public stand against sin.
The Christian who can accept political martyrdom is the Christian who will help bring about change for the better in Maine. There weren't a whole lot of Davids when Goliath was taunting Saul's army. There was only one. And he didn't cut a deal, remain silent, or form a private club.
10. What about the Christian Church? Shouldn't the Church be helping people?
The Church has been sent to the back of the bus by science. Consequently, it has developed a slave mentality in this culture. In some ways, it has lost its capacity to stand up as an institution and declare the righteousness of God. This prophetic role falls all too often to individual Christians who care for their neighbor. They don't care only about their neighbor's salvation, they also care about their welfare. This elite group wants to speak publicly on issues in the name of Jesus, and in reference to the Bible. They understand that God's laws will not be mocked, and that God is the Ultimate Lawgiver and Judge. These are likely the truly artistic, scientific, political and decent among us. They are everywhere, but perhaps in fewer numbers where power and money matter.
It should also be noted that the Church IS helping people. The idea that conservative Christians are not helping people is another fiction created by hostile forces within the Church and the culture. The League's own Executive Director devoted the first four years of his career to living without pay among mentally ill and recovering people. He has said many times that he would welcome the opportunity to do so again, should God create the opportunity. Liberals tend, in our experience, to be the one's who are most vocal about getting the big paychecks (especially so they can help poor people), and avoiding what they call unfair sacrifices.
