Judge Walker's Ruling on Prop 8

Today, Judge Vaughn Walker, lifted the stay of prop 8 with a 6 day temporary extension on the stay. Which means that same-sex couples can begin receiving marriage licenses starting on August 18, 2010 at 5pm. Judge Walker, has given a good push to the all time debate of same-sex marriages and at the same time his ruling will allow time for an appeal to be made. Sounds like a fair ruling, giving ample opportunity to the people surrounding this debate.

The 14th amendment states that: "Only a marriage between a man and woman is valid and recognized in California." Walker stated that he could find "no rational basis" that marriage should be defined as only between a man and a woman.

With Judge Vaughn Walker being only one of three openly homosexual judges, he is receiving a lot of  criticism stating that he is unable to make an unbiased decision, since he is a supporter and activist on same-sex marriages. Supporters of  Prop 8 have filed an appeal and will be heard in front of Justice Anthony Kennedy.  

If the stay is granted then what? Back to the drawing board. It seems to me that a lot of money and a lot of people's time are being wasted on this issue. We have so many more issues that critically effect our state. Isn't there something better that we could be spending our money and time on? If same-sex marriage is passed in California, it will help generate revenue for many local businesses and government. According to estimates given in the Prop 8 trials in 2008, San Francisco stands to gain approximately more than $37 million a year and the state just under 500 million in three years. Some people seem to think that this amount of money is chump change compared to our state deficit. Well, if our state is so broke and our economy is hurting too, is it still chump change? Isn't generating a little more revenue better than no revenue?

I think that there are too many people in office that are stuck in their own ways. They are the ones that are using their personal and religious beliefs to hinder the just judicial system, that our country and state rely on for change. The back and forth of this issue is a long drawn out debate that is frustrating for both sides! I say, enough already! Grant our same-sex couples in love, the right to marry and help generate more income for our state and local businesses that are hurting in our slowed economy.