Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Behind N.Y. Gay Marriage, an Unlikely Mix of Forces (Super-rich pushed through NY gay vote)
NYTimes ^ | June 25, 2011 | MICHAEL BARBARO

Posted on 06/26/2011 5:30:06 AM PDT by NYer

In the 35th-floor conference room of a Manhattan high-rise, two of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s most trusted advisers held a secret meeting a few weeks ago with a group of super-rich Republican donors.

Over tuna and turkey sandwiches, the advisers explained that New York’s Democratic governor was determined to legalize same-sex marriage and would deliver every possible Senate vote from his own party.

Would the donors win over the deciding Senate Republicans? It sounded improbable: top Republican moneymen helping a Democratic rival with one of his biggest legislative goals.

But the donors in the room — the billionaire Paul Singer, whose son is gay, joined by the hedge fund managers Cliff Asness and Daniel Loeb — had the influence and the money to insulate nervous senators from conservative backlash if they supported the marriage measure. And they were inclined to see the issue as one of personal freedom, consistent with their more libertarian views.

Within days, the wealthy Republicans sent back word: They were on board. Each of them cut six-figure checks to the lobbying campaign that eventually totaled more than $1 million.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Government; Politics/Elections; US: New York
KEYWORDS: cuomo; cuomosexualagenda; gaystapo; homofascists; homosexualagenda; marriage; newyork; ny; payola; perverts; republican; vichyrepublicans
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-99 next last
To: squarebarb

“they get taxpayer money”

That is an outrage!! Would you happen to have a link handy about that?


41 posted on 06/26/2011 11:55:28 AM PDT by Sun (Pray that God sends us good leaders. Please say a prayer now.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: ABN 505

“If it had been voted on by referendum it never would have passed. But the elitists in the Govt. know better.”

Even in CA same-sex “marriage” was voted down.

I wonder how we can get a referendum system in NY for future major issues.


42 posted on 06/26/2011 12:02:51 PM PDT by Sun (Pray that God sends us good leaders. Please say a prayer now.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: sthguard

You mean wealthy libertarians are funding same sex marriage?


43 posted on 06/26/2011 12:16:53 PM PDT by little jeremiah (Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. CSLewis)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: NYer; Liz; All

From the article, Pg. 3:

‘“My management style,” the Senate majority leader, Dean G. Skelos of Long Island, had told lawmakers, “is that I let my members lead.”’

If Skelos doesn’t believe in leading, maybe the NY senate needs a new leader - a STRONG social conservative leader.

While Skelos is a good person, maybe he just isn’t strong enough for the job.


44 posted on 06/26/2011 12:53:38 PM PDT by Sun (Pray that God sends us good leaders. Please say a prayer now.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: montag813

Prayer always helps -I have made peace with the fact that my son will either repent and be reconciled—or he will one day reap the recompense due for his choice.IF we are separated it will not matter will it-he will be blotted out.There is a way that seems right to a man but the ends thereof is death.I can no more change what is written than I can force my son to believe as I do.


45 posted on 06/26/2011 1:40:38 PM PDT by StonyBurk (ring)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: little jeremiah

This surprises you? Libertarianism has always rejected conservative positions on moral issues.


46 posted on 06/26/2011 2:40:22 PM PDT by sthguard (The DNC theme song: "All You Need is Guv")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: NYer
The republicans that signed on to this crap are dumb as rocks.
47 posted on 06/26/2011 2:42:45 PM PDT by linn37
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sthguard; All

This is something of a high water moment, the GOP pretty much caters to the wealthy for a host of reasons with the understanding being social issues are off of the table.

Now, the very same wealthy have stabbed social conservatives in the back, meanwhile rushbo is out on a long golfing weekend.

Can someone tell social conservatives a single, intelligible, reason to vote for a GOP candidate now? To knock on doors? to volunteer?

Can’t think of any.


48 posted on 06/26/2011 3:17:07 PM PDT by padre35 (You shall not ignore the laws of God, the Market, the Jungle, and Reciprocity Rm10.10)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: Sun; Liz; The Mayor; narses
While Skelos is a good person, maybe he just isn’t strong enough for the job.

It's painful, I know. I think Skelos did his best, but he was up against a brick wall. Remember that the precedent for such a response, began with Marion Cuomo! Back in 1984 then-governor of New York Mario Cuomo gave a speech in which he outlined his ideas about how a Catholic politican who personally believed that things like abortion and divorce are wrong should approach their responsibilities towards a public comprised of Catholics who agree, Catholics who disagree, and non-Catholics who might disagree or agree. When should a politician attempt to impose their religious beliefs and doctrines on others?

privately opposed, but publicly supportive.

You can read his speech here.

Cuomo Sr. set the precedent that all of these politicians have followed.

49 posted on 06/26/2011 4:07:49 PM PDT by NYer ("Be kind to every person you meet. For every person is fighting a great battle." St. Ephraim)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: sthguard

Our wires crossed - I thought you meant libertarians spent money against fag marriage. Or should or something...

My duh.

Libertarians are worse then Dems in that regard because they pose as conservative.


50 posted on 06/26/2011 5:19:45 PM PDT by little jeremiah (Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. CSLewis)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: padre35

Why would anyone be surprised by silence on this issue from Rush L.? Elton John performed at his recent wedding!!!!


51 posted on 06/26/2011 6:33:38 PM PDT by daisy mae for the usa
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: little jeremiah

Worse?

No, they are honest about their stances on social conservatism, it just means it is obvious that their interests are not our interests, if we allow ourselves to be deceived again that is on us, not on them.


52 posted on 06/26/2011 7:55:29 PM PDT by padre35 (You shall not ignore the laws of God, the Market, the Jungle, and Reciprocity Rm10.10)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: NYer

Thanks for your insight re: Skelos, and again, I think he is a good man.

But it seems the majority of Republicans are too polite, play more than fair, and end up losing, while the left is taking over the country, a little at a time, or should I say a LOT at a time.


53 posted on 06/26/2011 8:48:58 PM PDT by Sun (Pray that God sends us good leaders. Please say a prayer now.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: DJ MacWoW; MikeyB806
Governments throughout time have always recognized marriage and recorded them for the purpose of inheritance etc.

True, but this should be done by the individuals involved... and government currently uses marriage and tax laws to punish people who do not bequeath their wealth to the persons the government thinks are the most deserving. From a freedom perspective, a person should be allowed to leave 100% of his estate to anyone he chooses or anything he chooses. As far as gay couples are concerned, why should they have to take a tax hit in the inheritance department when straight married couples do not?

What is NOT the governments purview is DEFINING marriage.

State governments have routinely defined marriage. States have been able to define marriage as being between couples of a certain age or blood relation. No one has ever legally challenged any state's authority to "define" marriage in this regard, so it must follow that a state does have the authority to "define" marriage in the regard of the sexes of the participants.

I agree completely that the state usurping the power to define marriage will lead more confusion as participants in other types of relationships will inevitably demand legal recognition. That's why I think the government needs to give up the power to define marriage, and leave the status of private personal relationships among consenting adults alone.

Another plus to my plan is this... the current push to legalize government-sanctioned personal relationships has more to do with destroying the Church than eliminating discrimination. My proposal allows for absolute religious freedom in that churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, or any other private religious institution would retain its freedom to perform marriages in a manner acceptable to those faiths.

And from a personal perspective as a Christian, my marriage is solemnized by the Almighty God. I need no earthly authority to "sanctify" my marriage.

54 posted on 06/27/2011 6:17:56 AM PDT by pnh102 (Regarding liberalism, always attribute to malice what you think can be explained by stupidity. - Me)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: pnh102
As far as gay couples are concerned, why should they have to take a tax hit in the inheritance department when straight married couples do not?

Because homosexuals are not a "couple" and never will be. All the man made laws in the world cannot change natural law.

States have been able to define marriage as being between couples of a certain age or blood relation.

Yes they have but never before has ANY government defined marriage as ANYTHING except a man and a woman. No government can change natural law.

55 posted on 06/27/2011 6:40:43 AM PDT by DJ MacWoW (America! The wolves are at your door! How will you answer the knock?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: pnh102; DJ MacWoW; little jeremiah; P-Marlowe; xzins; Alamo-Girl; scripter; trisham; metmom; ...
That's why I think the government needs to give up the power to define marriage, and leave the status of private personal relationships among consenting adults alone.

Let's see, a few days ago you were pushing for eugenics-based sterilization and now you are pushing sodomite marriage.

Yes, I know you are opting for the long-standing libertarian mantra of just keeping the state out of it, but the result is the same.

For nearly a thousand years western GOVERNMENTS have been involved in the granting of marriage licenses and until recently they have ONLY been between a MAN AND A WOMAN, nobody ever questioned this. Governments have an absolute interest in marriage and they always have.

My proposal allows for absolute religious freedom in that churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, or any other private religious institution would retain its freedom to perform marriages in a manner acceptable to those faiths.

Right that means that you FULLY SUPPORT someone starting a "Church of Sodomy" and "marrying" sodomites. Your proposal also fully endorses polygamy and bestiality.

56 posted on 06/27/2011 8:50:31 AM PDT by wagglebee ("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: MikeyB806
Well, if the government doesn’t promote marriage between heterosexuals, then it shouldn’t provide financial support to children born out of wedlock and/or their single moms. That way, people will again begin to appreciate the practical value of marriage, and homosexuals, who cannot procreate, will have no desire to participate in it.

Thank you.

57 posted on 06/27/2011 9:24:06 AM PDT by pnh102 (Regarding liberalism, always attribute to malice what you think can be explained by stupidity. - Me)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: pnh102
And from a personal perspective as a Christian, my marriage is solemnized by the Almighty God. I need no earthly authority to "sanctify" my marriage.

If you are a Christian you should be righteously angry at perverts defiling God's plan. That you are not speaks volumes.

58 posted on 06/27/2011 9:50:23 AM PDT by DJ MacWoW (America! The wolves are at your door! How will you answer the knock?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: DJ MacWoW
If you are a Christian you should be righteously angry at perverts defiling God's plan. That you are not speaks volumes.

I don't remember reading anything in the New Testament about government-sanctioned "marriage" either. These types of unions have no meaning to me, as they are not in line with God's Law.

But what I do remember reading is that none of God's plans needed any help from any government in order to be successful, and nothing that God had, has or will ever will will ever be thwarted by any government. He does what He does, regardless of what people think or want.

59 posted on 06/27/2011 10:00:39 AM PDT by pnh102 (Regarding liberalism, always attribute to malice what you think can be explained by stupidity. - Me)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: pnh102
I don't remember reading anything in the New Testament about government-sanctioned "marriage" either.

That's deflection and it doesn't work.

These types of unions have no meaning to me, as they are not in line with God's Law.

What did Jesus do to the moneylenders in his Father's house? You're awfully laid back about people defiling God's creation.

But what I do remember reading is that none of God's plans needed any help from any government in order to be successful

Another deflection and an untrue one. Need I remind you that Jonathan only went into battle with God's Blessing? And David did the same. Have you forgotten Joshua? They WERE "government". And they absolutely were part of God's plan. He also used them to destroy His enemies.

I suggest that you look to the Word. And study the righteous anger of God's people.

60 posted on 06/27/2011 10:23:28 AM PDT by DJ MacWoW (America! The wolves are at your door! How will you answer the knock?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-99 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson