RNC Chairman Steele: Marriage Equality is Bad for Small Business

As more states expand gay rights and ratify marriage equality, it becomes obvious the traditional right-wing talking points and scare tactics just aren't working. Michael Steele, the token black and latest anti-gay chairman of the GOP, now suggests Republicans "can reach a broader base" by  reframing same-sex marriage as cost prohibitive for small businesses who must spend more on health care and benefits.

Steele said that was just an example of how the party can retool its message to appeal to young voters and minorities without sacrificing core conservative principles.

"Now all of a sudden I've got someone who wasn't a spouse before, that I had no responsibility for, who is now getting claimed as a spouse that I now have financial responsibility for," Steele told Republicans at the state convention in traditionally conservative Georgia. "So how do I pay for that?"

Steele is such a tool. Any employee marriages—straight or gay—and/or children could potentially cost more for a company that provides benefits. Why not only hire single employees? Doesn't sound very "family friendly", Mr. Chairman of the "Family Values" Party.  Steele is reaching but apparently even he realizes bigotry isn't selling like it used to.

Comments

[Luther]

I love how he keeps putting his hoof in his mouth every time he opens it, too bad he isn't concerned about all the small business that don't offer a living wage or even bother to give their employees health care. The GOP has a wedge issue that they are going to use for the next two election cycles and we have to make sure they are countered with the facts and truth a gay marrige does not infringe on a straight one.

[Mr. FAMU]

Human Rights are bad for business.

Which is why I fight for child labor laws to be repealed.
And the removal of pregnancy leave for women.
Also why I do not hire handicap persons
Or people with previous medical conditions

They just fck up my bottom line.

/sarcasm

[Daqwan]

these Republicans are a piece of work. after casting marriage in religious terms and saying it was against the law of the holy bible, now they want to use an economic argument? pathetic

but what is really sad is that mr negro in charge has no power, his troops are not listening to him

[Lukas]

Even better for small business -- abolish marriage altogether. That way,big business and small businesses alike won't have to be financially responsible for their spouses -- since they are no longer spouses!

[Giselle]

The sad thing is he doesn't see that he's a joke to republicans. they don't give a crap about him. he's the pet to win over blacks and it isn't helping .