Where is Congress? Where are the people?

Where is Congress? Where are the people?

The headline reads, "D.C. begins licensing same-sex marriage". The Washington DC Council approved issuing same sex marriage licenses, and same sex marriage. Congress who is responsible for oversight in Washington DC has refused to become involved in enforcing federal law, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which provides for marriage between one man and one woman.

The DC council, supported by a court ruling, did not allow this issue to go to a vote of the people. In every one of the 31 states where a vote has taken place, the people have voted in favor of marriage as between one man and one woman. Why should the people of DC be restricted from the privilege to cast their ballot on this issue.

Bishop Harry Jackson has fought valiantly to put this issue on the ballot. "We are fighting for justice and defending the rights of the people of the District of Columbia," Jackson said. "We have always anticipated that our quest for voting rights on the issue of marriage would end up in our higher appeals court, and today's ruling confirms that is where the issue is headed."

As we contemplate the serious nature of this issue, and the implications to future generations, we see the issue trivialized in the Washington Post--as an economic boon for DC. As you read the Family Research Council story below--consider the real and serious implications, and our need to promote and protect the institution of marriage between one man and one woman, whether that be from a wayward congress or activist judges.

For Richer or (More Likely) Poorer , Family Research Council

When same-sex weddings kicked off in D.C. yesterday, the city wasn't seeing anything but dollar signs. In an absurd article in today's Washington Post, reporters tried to argue that counterfeit marriage could be the economic salvation of the city's economy. In a region with 12% unemployment, local officials claim that redefining marriage "will create 700 jobs and contribute $52.2 million over three years to the local economy."

Not so fast, says FRC. The last census counted 3,678 same-sex partner homes in D.C. Assuming that number has stayed roughly the same, then the 150 who applied for marriage licenses yesterday would amount to a whopping four percent of the local homosexual population--hardly the stuff of economic recovery. For the Post's $52.2 million projection to come true, all 3,678 of those D.C. couples would have to get married and spend over $14,000 per wedding. (I don't know about you, but my wife and I spent a LOT less!) These "marriages" (which have yet to meet financial expectations in other states) may make a fast buck in the short term, but they will do nothing but drain the economy down the road. Consider the massive health care expenses incurred by taxpayers every year to cope with the diseases spread by homosexual behavior. According to the Kaiser Foundation, federal funding grew to more than $18 billion in 2004 to deal with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Over half of all U.S. infections are in men having sex with men! That means taxpayers spend roughly $10 billion a year treating the diseases caused by a behavior celebrated in same-sex "marriage." So much for economic development!

Meanwhile, the bigger question is: where has Congress been on all of this? So far both the House and Senate, which are responsible for D.C. oversight, have refused to address the city's direct assault on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). By sitting on their hands, they're now complicit with a movement that could roll back the definition of marriage in states where voters have won the battle to enshrine marriage in their constitutions. We expected better from Congress.