[Ernie.cal]

Your message (below) is absurd.

(1) First, very few companies provide benefits to "domestic partners".
(2) Second, in those companies which do provide benefits, the gay enrollee pays the same increased premium for 2-party coverage that a straight couple pays.
(3) Third, the primary reason why companies reduce health care benefits has nothing whatsoever to do with "domestic partners" -- Instead, it simply a mathematical computation, i.e. people are living longer, they use ever-more-expensive drugs and treatments, and the cost of health care is simply rising so fast that it is not affordable, especially to a smaller company.

"It wasn’t that long ago that companies would provide things like health coverage for their employees and it also covered their spouse and children. That is increasingly uncommon today, in part due to being forced to provide benefits to “domestic partners” and others if you provide them for a married employee. Now it is typical for a lot of companies to cover the employee only. If you want to cover a spouse or a child you will pay extra out of pocket to cover them."

If you appreciate things like that, find the nearest proponent of domestic-partnership and thank them.

[AppyPappy]

You haven't answered my question. Why just couples?

[TexasCowboy]

I can put it to you real simply:

I don't care if you and your buddy want to shack up in your bedroom. I don't want to know about it.
Just don't get in my face about your right to do that.

When you demand that I recognize you and your buddy as man and "wife", you're getting in my face, and that I won't tolerate.

God fearing people should have shut you anal animals down a long time ago and run you back to the closet where you belong.

[microgood]

Your message (below) is absurd.

I think you are wrong. My wife works for Washington State and when Gov Locke approved coverage for domestic partners it more than doubled the cost of medical coverage in that one year.