Apple, Inc. today announced their opposition to California Proposition 8, and added $100,000.00 to the campaign against this measure:
Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8. In the time since this announcement I’ve seen several postings referring to, and linking to, this announcement. Like Proposition 8, Apple’s stance against the measure is polarizing. While there are many who are in favor of the stance Apple has taken, there are quite a few people who are opposed. Geek & Mild, for example:
Corporations overtly, covertly, openly, and secretly influence the political process all the time. The whole issue of “money as free speech” is an issue since it gives Corporations a voice in the process they otherwise wouldn’t posses. Corporations are the biggest, and unfortunately, most powerful of the “citizens” involved in the making of new laws, regulations, and standards that shape all of our lives.
I, for one, like Apple’s stance on this issue. I do not like the religious factions in this country shaping our laws and molding our country into a Christian theocracy. One of the founding fathers of the United States, and our first President said,
This week Sibylle and I visited a health club as part of our search for a new gym to work out at this winter. The membership rules stated very clearly that a “couple membership” was open only to
Apple, Inc. is exactly correct in stating that legalized marriage between same-sex partners is a civil rights issue. Unfortunately it is also a politicized issue because it instantly polarizes the electorate. Like abortion, gun control, reproduction education in schools, and immigration laws, same sex marriage is used to move the electorate in one direction or the other.
I support those companies whose products I like and use. I also support those companies whose policies towards their employees and the greater community in which they exist I like. If you don’t like Apple’s stance on Proposition 8, or even that they have a well articulated stance, then I suggest you don’t support them.