The President and Gay Marriage

A president with the guts to do the right thing:

Friend --

Today, I was asked a direct question and gave a direct answer:

I believe that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.

I hope you'll take a moment to watch the conversation, consider it, and weigh in yourself on behalf of marriage equality: my.barackobama.com/Marriage

I've always believed that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally. I was reluctant to use the term marriage because of the very powerful traditions it evokes. And I thought civil union laws that conferred legal rights upon gay and lesbian couples were a solution.

But over the course of several years I've talked to friends and family about this. I've thought about members of my staff in long-term, committed, same-sex relationships who are raising kids together. Through our efforts to end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, I've gotten to know some of the gay and lesbian troops who are serving our country with honor and distinction.

What I've come to realize is that for loving, same-sex couples, the denial of marriage equality means that, in their eyes and the eyes of their children, they are still considered less than full citizens.

Even at my own dinner table, when I look at Sasha and Malia, who have friends whose parents are same-sex couples, I know it wouldn't dawn on them that their friends' parents should be treated differently.

So I decided it was time to affirm my personal belief that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.

I respect the beliefs of others, and the right of religious institutions to act in accordance with their own doctrines. But I believe that in the eyes of the law, all Americans should be treated equally. And where states enact same-sex marriage, no federal act should invalidate them.

If you agree, you can stand up with me here.

Thank you,

Barack

Student Loans

The President wants to extend the loans at their current rate. Republicans do not. That's a reason in itself to vote for President Obama. So once again the ones in need of assistance are the ones the rich (the Republicans) do not want to help. Notice I didn't say Tea Party members--they're hypocrites--they want the aid (social secutiry, medicaid, mobility units, college help for their children, etc., etc., etc.).

By the numbers: Student loans and the interest rate debate (infographic) By Siemond Chan and Chris Wilson

Senate Republicans blocked a vote Tuesday on a bill that would have extended the current low 3.4 percent interest rate on Stafford student loans, taking issue with how the Democratic bill would fund the extension. If Congress fails to pass such an extension by July, the rates will double.

The Republican Endorsement for Obama

The Republicans do not like Romney--but they settled:

Ron Paul made no endorsement at all.

The following links are to the other two main candidates who stayed the course:

Santorum's Late Night Enmdorsement Via Email

Ginrich's Sort of Endorsement

With endorsements like these, well...I don't know what to say.