Tucson ISO: Massachusetts Suing Federal Government over DOMA

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Massachusetts Suing Federal Government over DOMA

Massachusetts became the first state to sue the Federal Government over the Defense of Marriage Act, known as DOMA. This law prohibits the Federal Government from recognizing same sex marriage, even if it is recognized by a state government. However, since states are allowed to decide on same sex marriage laws independently of the Federal Government conflict arises over federal benefits.

The lawsuit claims that DOMA prevents the state from defining and regulating marriage, as is its right. The approximately 16,000 same-sex couples in Massachusetts have been denied equal access to federal benefits that are regularly given to heterosexual couples.

Read the New York Times article here.

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Where We Stand

Socialism, Not Capitalism

War, poverty, exploitation and oppression are products of the capitalist system, a system in which a minority ruling class profits from the labor of the majority. The alternative is socialism, a society based on workers collectively owning and controlling the wealth their labor creates.

Workers’ Power

Socialism is working-class self-emancipation. Only mass struggles of the workers themselves can put an end to the capitalist system of oppression and exploitation.

Revolution

We actively support the struggle of workers and all oppressed

people for economic, political and social reforms, both as a means to improve their conditions and to advance their confidence and fighting strength. But reforms within the capitalist system cannot put an end to oppression and exploitation. Capitalism must be replaced.

Internationalism

Capitalism is an international system, so the struggle for socialism must be international, uniting workers of all countries. Socialists oppose imperialism--the division of the globe based on the subjugation of weaker nations by stronger ones—and support the self-determination of oppressed nations. We oppose all immigration controls.

Full Equality and Liberation

Capitalism divides the working class, based on sexual, gender, racial, national and other distinctions. The specially oppressed groups within the working class suffer the most under capitalism. The liberation of the oppressed is essential to socialist revolution and impossible without it.

The Revolutionary Party

To achieve socialism, the most militant workers must be organized into a revolutionary socialist party. The ISO is committed to playing a role in laying the foundations for such a party. We aim to build an independent socialist organization, rooted in workplaces, schools and neighborhoods that, in fighting today’s struggles, also wins larger numbers to socialism.

*The ISO’s Where We Stand was first adopted at its founding convention in March, 1977. It has been amended on several occasions since, but remains a basic summary of the organization’s political outlook.

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Massachusetts Suing Federal Government over DOMA

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