The Supreme’s and Same-Sex Marriage Ruling – Apprehensive – Across Ideological Lines - Individual State’s Most Likely Focus of Eventual Ruling.

Despite the protests (both pro and con) at the Court, the justices may end up taking this Religious Issue back to the States

As the Supreme Court is weighing the options as to the arguments for and against the Defense of Marriage Act it is apparent that the Justices are somewhat uncomfortable with a federal ruling, rather, it is apparent they are looking at “Gay Marriage” as a larger issue, one which, they do not feel comfortable making a ruling that would give a federal status, one way or the other – and most likely will turn it back to the states. (CS Monitor) In some instances the Gay Marriage decisions is being compared to Roe vs. Wade, a decision which even Justice Ginsburg had doubts. It should have been left to the states, although she approved of the choice, the ruling in Roe vs. Wade, was considered “bad law”. The court at the time, 1973, had more information on abortion and the states, than it now does with Gay Marriage.(ABA Journal)

Justice Alito suggested that the concept was newer than the internet or cell phones. In listening to the arguments, and the subsequent questions by the Justices it became clear that they all were uncomfortable with ruling on this subject. For current orals arguments, go to www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguements See Hollingsworth v. Perry

Although no one knows what the outcome maybe, given the Justices and their individual ideological stands, the fact that they are approaching the issue as if it were a hot potato, suggests it will be pushed back to the states - where it belongs, along with the Roe Vs. Wade Decision and any decision that should be outside of the Federal venue.

In this opinion, the concept of “marriage” is the issue, whereby, it has religious connotations. Therefore as marriage is considered now a contract in legal terms, one might be tempted to push all marriage contracts into partnership contracts, which would solve everything – this would separate the Church from the State. As of now, with the religious connotations attached, the states and the High Court must be aware of those consequences. The crux of the matter lays in the name – not so much the benefits et al, that could be realized by all parties, if marriage were renamed a partnership - separated from the religious connotation. Those that wanted their marriage to be consecrated by a church, would have the full benefits to do so, and those who’s partnerships fell outside most religious boundaries, would still have the benefits of a partnership – thus killing the game of political football that is constantly in play.

Obama New Budget Plan – The Grinch Who Taxed Christmas Trees! New 15 Cent Tax Per Tree This Holiday Season!

Christmas Tree Farm Sign - Obama Tax May Make Breathing a bit more Pricey! Image go new england dot com

Update: Change of heart - Administrations heart grew one half size today: ABC News Reports, there will be a delay in taxing Christmas Trees....

When one considers taxing items, the last item one would tax might be a Christmas Tree – not so for the Obama Administration. From the Department of Agriculture Federal Registry this week:

SUMMARY: This rule establishes an industry-funded promotion, research,
and information program for fresh cut Christmas trees. The Christmas
Tree Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order) is authorized
under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996
(1996 Act). The Order will establish a national Christmas Tree
Promotion Board (Board) comprised of 11 producers and one importer.
Under the Order, producers and importers of fresh cut Christmas trees
will pay an initial assessment of fifteen cents per Christmas tree.
Producers and importers that produce or import less than 500 Christmas
trees annually will be exempt from the assessment. A referendum will be
conducted, among producers and importers, three years after the
collection of assessments begin to determine if Christmas tree
producers and importers favor the continuation of this program.

DATES: Effective November 9, 2011.

Seriously, what one earth is next?

Although the farming and sale of Christmas Trees is a time honored tradition, and there isn’t a person living in the U.S. proper who does not know how to procure a live, or other type of tree (synthetic), it has apparently struck the Federal Government under the Obama Administration that the Tree Farmers (specifically Christmas Trees), need some help from Uncle Sam – They have got to be kidding. Can you imagine what will happen once the Fed's get their hands on that industry too? (See failing Freddie and Fannie, Failing Medicare, Social Security, Failure to Create jobs...) As the Christmas Tree is a byproduct of a celebration of the Christian Christmas, there should be a mechanism in place to halt the madness, something along the separation of Church and State – of course, that’s most likely next on the Obama Plan to Reduce the deficit – a toll charge for those attempting to enter a place of worship!

A treatment of the insanity of it all is available at the ever watchful Heritage Foundation - here

The tax, would be assessed on the farmers, and then, most likely passed onto the consumer. Way to go O! Yes, Virginia, there is a 2012.