I was surprised by the first letter in your December 2007 issue. I had the distinct pleasure to work with Frank Siegel. I was then and a remain today, a fan of his. Unlike the tone of his letter, I have always found him to be a kind and compassionate person.
I have to disagree that marriage has been the union of one man and one woman since the beginning of humankind. Numerous heroes of the Old Testament not only had multiple wives, the many wives were considered a blessing from God. Marriage at one time was arranged by the parents, with the daughter given away by the father with a dowry. For many centuries the wife was a possession of the husband, whom she had to obey. The idea that marriage was two equal people creating a new family out of a bond of love is a relatively new creation.
I agree that equal marriage rights is a moral issue. It is immoral to tell a loving spouse that they can not be there to hold the hand of the love of their life as they pass on. It is immoral to tell that spouse they have no right to plan the funeral or bury their spouse. It is immoral to tell that grieving widow she is being thrown out of the house because the lack of marriage rights gives the home to the homophobic brother-in-law. It is immoral, cruel and wrong. Why do I have such hope for our country? Because I know Frank Siegel to be a good and compassionate person and that means he, like otherwise good people who fought civil rights advances of the past, will come around to value all of our neighbors.
William G. Morse, CFP
Mequon, Wisconsin
It seems as though Mr. Siegel has it all worked out for the better. The world is perverse and he alone has a mission to save us from the dire consequences that will ensue if we open our doors, our counters, our planning strategies to all. Money has no color, no sex, no ethnicity, no race, no religion. It is a commodity that all have the right to enjoy and fructify freely. Am I pro-gay marriage. No! But, that said, I sure will work hard to assist "any" couple (bi, hetero, jetero, ac/dc, pink and blue) to take full advantage of my company's investment services and estate planning. And…that is the way things should be in our land of "freedom to be what ever we want to be."
When I read diatribes like Mr. Siegel's, my first reaction is to ask him to "just get out of Dodge." His argument is misplaced. Maybe Investment Advisor will do much better without this ilk polluting your mailing list.
David Howell LL.B, LL.M, PhD
Barrister At Law
