As a growing couple, we tend to be fortunately busy, but it does not mean we are ignoring the world around us. It has been awhile since we posted, not out of not wanting to SPEAK OUT, but at this time, and it has been this way for several years that there is and insurmountable level of ranting, chatter, arguing. Of course I call this in regards to the the debt ceiling, LGBT rights, and every other acronym under the equality sun.

You know what would be great? LISTENING. Yes, everyone has an opinion, thats fine and allowed, but we need to hear clear concise talk from some demi-illuminati instructing us the course to take.

I wrote to the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, and told him explicitly what should be done for the future goodness for the entire country.  Here are some pieces of what I wrote:

American brothers and sisters with Social Security and Medicare benefits are at stake, as are the individuals with pensions and retirement accounts invested in the financial markets, and business owners whose continued existence is based upon their ability to access capital markets at reasonable interest rates.

I am ashamed that congress reflects a divorced mother and father and one of them is not signing the checks for the much needed child support.

Democrat or Republican, the actions of the legislative and executive branch from 2001-08 were detrimental and my generation and after will have to pay for it for a long time.

It is unfair that the American Dream has become a mirage.  We need to move forward on this, do your homework, make it balanced, and do not follow the leaders of the Bush administration (they do not care about your career) they have their titles and your titles will seem irrelevant if you decide to act like spoiled children.  Fix it thoroughly and quickly.

We have faced greater obstacles, lets not let this childishness of congress take us down.

May the strength of your patriotism be for ALL of USA, not just one side on an aisle.

This bantering back n forth is like a kindergarten pageant gone wrong…one kid is crying (Boehner) the teacher is trying to get everyone to perform correctly (Pres. Obama)…and the audience (us) is trying to figure out what is going on and why they paid their kids’ tuition (taxes).

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1. As we all know the federal government does NOT recognize us as a married couple even though WE ARE and it doesn’t even matter where we live. Even though we are in California (one of the 18,000 legally married couples). We will pay more in taxes and receive fewer benefits than married, opposite-sex couples receive. Only point number 1 and we are already getting heated.
2. In regards to tax preparation. Differences in state and federal filing rules mean that married, same-sex couples must calculate 2 sets of state tax returns. Guess what? That’s more time spent on those returns and, for same-sex couples using an accountant, that’s more of an expense.
3. Tax punch number 3 comes through employer-based health insurance benefits. Unlike coverage for opposite-sex spouses, benefits for legally married, same-sex spouses are taxed as income to the employee.
4. For same-sex couples who have real estate, they can file their real state returns as a married couple! Oh but wait, since federal law prohibits them from filing their federal tax return as a married couple, the forms require tax calculations from state returns completed as if they were single.

Talk about a kick in the teeth!

Photo Courtesy VIA

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Friend and activist, Father Geoff Farrow-a former priest and veteran hand-cuffed himself along with others to the gates of the White House to encourage the lame duck congress to repeal DADT immediately.  Please CLICK HERE for more on Father Geoff and why Father Geoff fights!

If you are in the D.C. area tomorrow (Monday), please join GetEQUAL, Lt. Dan Choi, and other activists as they hold vigil to commemorate the 1st day of the lame duck session of Congress. Meet us at Leonard Matlovich’s gravesite at the Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E Street, SE at 8:00 am EST. We only have 2 weeks to send President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Congress a message to repeal DADT!! The rest of the day will be busy as well, so stay tuned for updates.

Honestly, we don’t feel this rally has any heart, but it seems to be a sad, tangental recreation of a movement that states that we need to take back America. Just because you talk loud does not mean people are going to listen. Talk is cheap.

We can ‘take America back’ by educating ourselves and each other. To teach the correct history, and create a better union, our country can prosper. You know what? Watch a real rally