Business & Lobbying

Video
THE HILL
 
comment
Print

Congressman: Same sex marriage part of push for socialism

By Michael O'Brien - 09/23/09 12:41 PM ET

Same sex marriage is part of a socialist agenda to undermine "the foundations of individual rights and liberties," Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) said Wednesday.

The conservative Iowan condemned his own state's Supreme Court for legalizing gay and lesbian weddings, and expressed concern that the U.S. Congress might repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which gives states the ability to refuse to recognize same sex marriages or civil unions in other states.

King told a conservative news radio program:

If there's a push for a socialist society where the foundations of individual rights and liberties are undermined and everybody is thrown together living collectively off one pot of resources earned by everyone, this is one of the goals they have to go to, same sex marriage, because it has to plow through marriage in order to get to their goal. They want public affirmation, they want access to public funds and resources.


King condemned his own state legislature for not voting on an amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision, suggesting that the legislature had been backed politically by "a number of very, very rich homosexual activists."

"I said that if this is allowed to happen, Iowa would become the Mecca for same sex marriage, and that has begun to happen," King said.

King also said that former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) was right to say that legal same sex marriages would open the door to legal polygamy or bestiality.

"Not only is it a radical social idea, it is a purely socialist concept in the final analysis," King said.

Source:
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/60007-congressman-same-sex-marriage-part-of-push-for-socialism
The contents of this site are © 2010 Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsisiary of News Communications, Inc.

Comments (22)

Ew. Use of public funds? The "public funds" that are funded by MY significant tax burden? Bestiality? Since when have animals been able to give consent? Polygamy? Is that not the MOST traditional marriage of all? Nuts, hypocrites, liars and thieves…BY Flanoggin on 09/23/2009 at 14:01
People *elected* this nut?!?!?!?!BY Jeff on 09/23/2009 at 14:23
Isn't this the same type of argument made by slave-owning Americans prior to the Civil War?BY Reality Check on 09/23/2009 at 14:26
9. Same-sex marriage would start us down a "slippery slope" towards legalized incest, bestial marriage, polygamy and all manner of other horrible consequences. A classic example of the reductio ad absurdum fallacy, it is calculated to instill fear in the mind of anyone hearing the argument. It is, of course, absolutely without any merit based on experience. If the argument were true, wouldn't that have already happened in countries where forms of legalized gay marriage already exist? Wouldn't they have 'slid' towards legalized incest and bestial marriage? The reality is that a form of gay marriage has been legal in Scandinavian countries for many years, and no such legalization has happened, nor has there been a clamor for it. It's a classic scare tactic - making the end scenario so scary and so horrible that the first step should never be taken. Such are the tactics of the fear and hatemongers.If concern over the "slippery slope" were the real motive behind this argument, the advocate of this line of reasoning would be equally vocal about the fact that today, even as you read this, convicted murderers, child molesters, known pedophiles, drug pushers, pimps, black market gun dealers, etc., are quite free to marry, and are doing so every day. Where's the outrage? Of course there isn't any, and that lack of outrage betrays their real motives. This is an anti-gay issue and not a pro marriage or child protection issue.Extracted from: Gay Marriage: The Arguments and the MotivesA personal essay in hypertext by Scott BidstrupBY 1EqualityUSA on 09/23/2009 at 15:06
alarmist dodge Counterpoint: Jon W. Davidson Sixty years ago, when the California Supreme Court struck down our state’s ban on marriages by couples of different races, the dissent argued that bans on incest and polygamy would be next. Those who raised these alarmist concerns were wrong then and they are wrong now. Polygamy and incest have not become legal in Massachusetts, Canada or any of the other countries where same-sex couples can marry, and they’re quite unlikely to be recognized in California.The problem with “slippery slope” arguments like yours, Glen, is that they assume that society and the law can’t make distinctions between situations that are different from one another. But we can tell apples from oranges. For example, that women got the right to vote does not mean that infants are next.Bringing up polygamy and incest is simply a dodge — an attempt to distract people from the injustice of denying same-sex couples the same opportunity to marry that different-sex couples want to preserve for themselves. That others might argue that they want to marry their relatives or have multiple legal spouses requires that those arguments be separately evaluated; it doesn’t make the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage right.As the California court’s majority opinion states, polygamy and incest present wholly different concerns than the marriage of same-sex couples: “Past judicial decisions explain why our nation’s culture has considered the latter types of relationships inimical to the mutually supportive and healthy family relationships promoted by the constitutional right to marry.” In other words, there may be compelling reasons to ban incestuous and polygamous marriages, including genetic concerns about the children of incestuous marriages, the importance of preventing coercion and abuse within families, and concerns about how young girls and women have fared under polygamy. By contrast, there is no compelling reason to bar same-sex couples from marriage. Permitting marriages of same-sex couples strengthens families and harms no one.Moreover, California has come to recognize that lesbian and gay couples — like our clients Del Martin and Phyllis Lyons, who have waited 56 years to marry — “are entitled to the same legal rights and the same respect and dignity” afforded everyone else, and that they should not face discrimination based on their “loving and enduring” committed relationship. As the court recognized, in contrast to what may be true about laws barring incest and polygamy, laws barring same-sex couples from marriage do not serve any legitimate purpose. Rather, they draw an arbitrary line based on a characteristic — sexual orientation — that has no bearing on a person’s ability to participate in the institution of civil marriage.(And by the way, Glen, bisexuality is the capacity to fall in love with people regardless of their sex. It’s no more about being concurrently involved with more than one person than is heterosexuality .)Finally, Glen, I can’t let pass the part of your Tuesday post that attacked the marriage decision as at odds with the governmental system established by the California Constitution. This is as false now as it was when the California Supreme Court overturned the ban on interracial marriages. The court then, like now, did not “foist radical change” on the state. Instead, it did its job of upholding the rights of liberty and equality for all, including African Americans then and gay people now. That job — and those rights themselves — are an essential part of the government system our Constitution supports.Jon W. Davidson is the legal director of Lambda Legal, a nonprofit legal organization dedicated to protecting the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those living with HIV. Lambda Legal was counsel in the case that led to last week’s decision from the California Supreme Court.BY 1equalityUSA on 09/23/2009 at 15:09
Oh wait — so according to this nitwit Steve King…Gay Americans shouldn't get Freedoms or Individual Libertys? Access to Public funds that LGBT TAX PAYING Americans pay towards…Is that what he's talking about??? This guy is a LOON,and falls on equal footing with George Wallace!BY disgusted american on 09/23/2009 at 15:18
Mr King…Iowa is NOT the ONLY state to legalize Marriage equality - it will NOT be the GAY Mecca (whatever that is, but it sounds Fabulous) …where do these hateful Bigots come from?BY rextrek on 09/23/2009 at 15:20
Thank heavens for the 3 smart people who commented already good grief I can't believe this is an elected official what a nut jobBY J on 09/23/2009 at 15:20
It's pretty clear this King klown is haunted by some awfully terrifying demons in his 'private moments.' I actually feel sorry for him…in the same way I do for a rabid coyote.BY Karl Schneider on 09/23/2009 at 16:11
What's wrong with polygamy anyways? Polygamy is a lot closer to the 'norm' than 'gay marriage'BY Jason Bryan on 09/23/2009 at 18:19

Add Comment

Name (required)

E-Mail (will not be published) (required)

Your Comments

The Hill Archives: Senate | House | Administration | Campaign | Business & Lobbying | Capital Living | Opinion
View News by Subject:
Defense & Homeland Security | Energy & Environment | Healthcare | Finance & Economy | Technology | Foreign Policy | Labor | Transportation & Infrastructure

Blog Briefing Room Headlines

Blog Briefing Room Headlines Archive »

Blog Briefing Room
Most Popular Stories
Most Viewed
Sen. Kaufman: Palin backers 'don't follow what's really happening' in U.S.Steele hints critics motivated by raceShelby releases holds on Obama nomineesNelson to oppose Becker for NLRB spotConrad blasts TV coverage of healthcare
Emailed
Sen. Kaufman: Palin backers 'don't follow what's really happening' in U.S.Shelby releases holds on Obama nomineesNelson to oppose Becker for NLRB spotKey Dem wants to pause discharges of gay service membersSteele hints critics motivated by race
Discussed
Sen. Kaufman: Palin backers 'don't follow what's really happening' in U.S.Steele hints critics motivated by raceWhite House rejects GOP leaders' calls to start over on healthcareConrad blasts TV coverage of healthcarePlouffe wants Dems to go after Republicans
Blog Home » Most Viewed RSS Feed »

Key Blogs

What they are saying today …
Drudge Report
"Punch will stun West," reads the headline above the fold on Drudge this Tuesday. The line refers to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent, vague promise this week to somehow "punch the arrogance" of the West on February 11. Also above the fold: A slew of weather-related links, including a report from the National Weather Service that predicts more snow for the already buried Capitol.… Read More »
The Huffington Post
"Healthcare theatrics" reads the banner atop The Huffington Post, which links to an AP story on the White House's struggle to bring GOP leaders to the table for a televised healthcare summit. The AP questions whether the event may have any utility outside of immediate personal politics. Below, reporter Sam Stein reports Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) plans to vote against the White House's nominee for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Craig Becker.… Read More »
Red State
Moe Lane this morning summarizes the latest back-and-forth between the White House and congressional GOP leaders over healthcare. The White House wants Republicans to join Democrats for a televised healthcare summit in the coming days, but GOP leaders do not want Democrats' bill to be the basis for those talks. Meanwhile, Brian Darling takes on NYT columnist Paul Krugman's latest piece, in which he rails on the filibuster (and the GOP's use of it). "He is clearly way outside of his area of expertise when talking about Senate procedure, because his analysis is laughable," Darling writes.… Read More »
The Washington Independent
Spencer Ackerman leads The Washington Independent this morning with a post about William Lietzau, a top Obama White House appointee first installed during President George W. Bush's tenure. Lietzau handled the military commissions the Supreme Court later found unconstitutional, and Ackerman reports that he will soon become Deputy Assistant Secretary for Detainee Affairs.Earlier, David Weigel shared Defense Secretary Robert Gates' thoughts on the passing of Pennsylvania Rep. John Murtha (D). Noted Gates: "In our dealings over the years, Jack and I did not always agree, but I always respected his candor, and knew that he cared deeply about the men and women of America’s military and intelligence community." … Read More »
AMERICAblog
John Aravosis points out that Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) has dropped most of his unprecedented blanket hold on most of the White House's nominees -- except a few defense posts, which remain tied up as Shelby seeks two lucrative military contracts for his home state. Later, Aravosis reports that the Department of Health and Human Services has opened an investigation into the California Blue Cross health insurance program, following reports that premiums there have increased 39 percent recently.… Read More »
The Corner
News that Iran may have started enriching uranium has prompted The Corner's Mike Potemra to issue the Middle Eastern state a warnining: "It’s not too late for Iran to turn back from such a disastrous course: Even evil regimes — regimes that systematically violate the rights of their own people — have the use of intellect." Also, gues blogger Ralph Reed offers his thoughts on former Gov. Sarah Palin's national political aspirations. Ultimately, he calls her a "bridge" between Tea Party activists and the GOP establishment.… Read More »
Blog Summaries Archive »
bloglogo

Briefing Room


More Briefing Room »

Congress Blog


More Congress Blog »

Pundits Blog


More Pundits Blog »

Twitter Room


More Twitter Room »

Hillicon Valley


More Hillicon Valley »

E2-Wire


More E2-Wire »

Briefing Room Blog Roll

The Hill
ABC News: The Note
AMERICAblog
Barack Obama
Beat The Press
Bill Press
BuzzFlash
Capitol Briefing
Capitol Games
The Caucus (NYT)
Clive Crook
Comments From Left Field
CNN Political Ticker
The Corner (NRO)
Crooks and Liars
The Daily Beast
Daily Caller
Daily Kos
DCCC: The Stakeholder
DNC: Kicking Ass
DSCC: From The Roots
Drudge Report
Eschaton
Extreme Mortman
Ezra Klein
firedoglake
FishbowlDC
The Fix (WashPost)
The Foundry
Gkenn Greenwald
Hendrik Hertzberg
Hillary Clinton
Hot Air
Hotline on Call
Huffington Post
Human Events
Instapundit
James Fallows
John McCain
Judicial Watch: Corruption Chronicles
Kaus Files
Left Coaster
Lefty Blogs
Majority AP
Marc Ambinder
Matt Lewis
Matthew Yglesias
Megan McArdle
Michelle Malkin
Minority Report
The Moderate Voice
MSNBC First Read
MyDD
The Nation
National Review
The New Republic
NewsBusters
Newsmax
The NRCC Blog
NRSC Blog
Open Left
Page (Mark Halperin)
The Plank (TNR)
Political Animal
Political Wire
Politicker
Politico's Ben Smith
Politico's Jonathan Martin
Politico's The Crypt
Power Line
Reason
RedState
Right Wing News
RNC Blog
Ross Douthat
Rush Limbaugh
SCOTUSblog
Senate Guru
The Stump (TNR)
The Swamp (Tribune)
Swampland
Swing State Project
Talk Left
TalkingPointsMemo
TAPPED
Tech Policy Summit
techPresident
TechRepublican
The Right Angle
Think Progress
Top of the Ticket (LA Times)
Townhall
TPMCafe
TPMMuckraker
The Trail (WashPost)
Truthdig
USA Today On Politics
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blog
VF Daily
Washington Wire (WSJ)
Weekly Standard
Wonkette
Yeas and Nays

Briefing Room Blog Topics

 Blog Summaries »   Technology »
 Day's End Round-Up »   Telecom and IT »
 Energy & Environment »   Trade and Agriculture »
 Midday Blog Roundup »  Lobbying »
 Morning Read »   Administration »
 News »   Campaigns »
  Campaigns »   Civil Rights »
   Administration »   Corporate Governance »
   Civil Rights »   Defense »
   Congressional Campaigns »   Economy & Budget »
   Corporate Governance »   Energy & Environment »
   Defense »   Foreign Policy »
   Economy & Budget »   Healthcare »
   Foreign Policy »   Homeland Security »
   Healthcare »   Immigration »
   Homeland Security »   Labor »
   Immigration »   Lobbyists »
   Labor »   Technology »
   Law and Courts »   Telecom and IT »
   Lobbyists »   Trade and Agriculture »
   Presidential Campaigns »  Other »
   Technology »   Administration »
   Telecom and IT »   Campaigns »
   Trade and Agriculture »   Civil Rights »
  Energy & Environment »   Congressional Campaigns »
  Lawmaker News »   Corporate Governance »
   Administration »   Defense »
   Campaigns »   Economy & Budget »
   Civil Rights »   Energy & Environment »
   Corporate Governance »   Foreign Policy »
   Defense »   Healthcare »
   Economy & Budget »   Homeland Security »
   Energy & Environment »   Immigration »
   Foreign Policy »   Labor »
   Healthcare »   Lobbyists »
   Homeland Security »   Presidential Campaigns »
   Immigration »   Technology »
   Labor »   Telecom and IT »
   Lobbyists »   Trade and Agriculture »
   Technology »  Oversight »
   Telecom and IT »   Administration »
   Trade and Agriculture »   Campaigns »
  Legislation »   Civil Rights »
   Administration »   Corporate Governance »
   Campaigns »   Defense »
   Civil Rights »   Economy & Budget »
   Corporate Governance »   Energy & Environment »
   Defense »   Foreign Policy »
   Economy & Budget »   Healthcare »
   Energy & Environment »   Homeland Security »
   Foreign Policy »   Immigration »
   Healthcare »   Labor »
   Homeland Security »   Lobbyists »
   Immigration »   Technology »
   Labor »   Telecom and IT »
   Lobbyists »   Trade and Agriculture »
You need Flash Player 8 (or higher) and JavaScript enabled to view this content

Get latest news from The Hill direct to your inbox, RSS reader and mobile devices.