US Midwest State Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

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[Edited to include economic numbers).

IMHO, this is a giant leap forward for American civil rights and capitalism and I, for one, am thrilled.

For those not familiar, Iowa - which is as middle-America as it gets - has legalized same-sex marriage. While Iowa is not the most conservative state in the union, it still has its fair share of the religious right/social conservatives.

Yet - it's geographically a stone's-throw away from Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Indianapolis - etc. and other significant metro areas.

"Businesses could see $160 million in new wedding and tourism spending over the next three years, according to a study from researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles."

For more on the economic impact of same-sex marriage, here's an interesting article from the Des Moines (Iowa) Register:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/articl ... /1001/NEWS

How is a civil librety a victory for capitalism?

Ok I get what you mean, but I think you are mistaken. It's the economy that has the victory. Capitalism is a philosophy and gay marriage dosn't really have any thing to do with it.

In this case - the populous put aside their religious convictions for the economic opportunity for their state. This likely would not have happened without the current economic climate.

It still dosn't provide evidence that capitalism is generally a better idea than socialism so I wouldn't call it a victory. Maybe even the opposite since a lack of money is influencing decisions.

Let me spare you - I usually speak in hyperboles and other literary fun. I am a speechwriter - not a technical writer.

Yes - you are probably on to something and I'm sure some syntax-sensitive, semantics egghead will chime in to support your theories.

But in terms of looking for a silver-lining in the current US economy, anything that provides an opportunity for making money - especially when its super-positive - is a victory to me (and others like me).

This all ASSuming capitalism is good. I recognize that is not a universal opinion. But in my world, in this corner of the US, it can definitely be used for good - and this is one of those times.

And as an amateur-wannabe pastry chef - I'm happy for the real-life Iowan pastry chefs! That's sweet for them!

Wedding cakes. Not Bombs.

California bans gay marriage and Iowa legalizes it?

The world turned upside down...

2 snaps and a circle for Iowa!! !

Hooray for Iowa!

The options in your poll assume that the only reason someone might oppose it would be because they are part of a luatic fringe religious cult, or they are personally grossed out by the idea.

I don't have a firmly settled opinion on the subject, but there are a number of possible reasons to oppose it. You didn't list "want the definition of marriage to stay like it is", "concerns about the nuclear family being displaced or destabilized", "feel it doesn't go far enough in that it leaves out polygamists", "feel that marriage is too important to leave to the government, which should butt out", and so forth.

My opinion might not fit the categories even so, but it seems useless to make a poll on a controversial issue, while only including answers you approve or can easily ridicule.

I wasn't able to respond to the pole for some reason. Though I'm glad (for whatever reason) that there is gay marriage in Iowa. My Godfather is gay and I would like for him to have that option if he ever did find someone again, though I don't know the options in his country. Also, that bit of paper makes it that spouse is next of kin, yes/no? Though to me love is love, male/female, male/male, female/female. I don't expect people to share my view. To me as long as the people are happy and healthy in their relationship, it's all good.

Iowa is an important state during the presidential election after all and it makes sense to give those individuals to have equal opportunity like everyone else.

It's also about self determination and having the right to choose a partner in a sanctioned and recognized way. These partners have a significance for things like making medical decisions and owning property, which may be inappropriate for less intimate relationships. Giving people more freedom to choose is a good thing.