The Obama Administration Did What?

I’m not quite sure what to think of it, but this might just be the least radical, leftist-agenda-pushing action I’ve seen thus far from the Obama posse.

The Obama administration on Friday urged a U.S. court to dismiss a lawsuit by gay married couples from Massachusetts who say they were unlawfully denied federal marriage benefits.

President Barack Obama won strong support from gays during his presidential campaign and has pressed for repealing the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act that bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages.
But the gay community has been angered by the Obama administration’s defense of the law in court proceedings. Justice Department officials say they are obligated to defend federal statutes when they are challenged.
“In making this filing, the department is bound by the only precedent that exists, which is that no court has found such a right to federal benefits based upon marital status to be constitutionally required,” said Justice Department spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of seven same-sex couples and three survivors of same-sex spouses, says it is unconstitutional to bar them from enrolling in federal healthcare programs, receiving certain retirement and survivor benefits and filing joint income tax returns.

“No court has found such a right to federal benefits to be fundamental — and the federal courts that have considered the question in the context of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) itself have rejected such a claim,” the Justice Department said in the filing.
The department urged that the lawsuits be dismissed because their claims either were without merit or the individuals did not have a legal right to sue.

It almost sounds as if… the Justice Department was attempting to respect the authority of a federal statute (in this case, the Defense of Marriage Act) that didn’t fall in line with the liberal’s social and cultural reconstruction plan. And we know that’s impossible. But perhaps this is a sign that Democrats no longer feel that they can simply bulldoze their radical plans for the country into existence without getting any resistance. If so, then it’s a great sign. If townhalls, tea parties, and ACORN scandals throughout the country are any indication, the left wing is finally beginning to be held accountable, and they’re afraid; even the media can’t cover for them now.

With that said, it will be interesting to see how the Democrats’ plan to recognize gay marriage in New Jersey this year will play out. The media has been careful not to leak this news, in a careful attempt to avoid any backlash or controversy. But if they were smart, they’d be very careful not to stir up anymore opposition to their own party; they really can’t afford it.

…Especially not when they’re going to have to deal with a Republican governor for the next four years.

Cross-posted at Conservatives with Attitude!

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