Daddy, what does that mean?

Yesterday the kids piled into my car after soccer practice. Kitty Kat was home as she was tired from a long day. The little dude is 5 and is learning to read. As he gets onto his booster seat in the back seat I hear him sounding out letters of something he sees. Now kids today learn phonics so I hear "ya... e'... sssssss... ahhhhhh... nnnnnnn... 8." I wasn't really paying attention to what he was spelling as the little girl needed help getting her shin guards off.

Then I put it together as I heard him say, "daddy, what does yes on 8 mean?" Well, that is a loaded question of course. For my readers from around the world that don't know there is a statewide proposition that... well, shoot, let me just quote from Wiki because I am not trying to get political on you:

"Proposition 8 is an initiative measure on the 2008 California General Election ballot titled Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry. If passed, the proposition would change the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California. A new section would be added stating only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

I then told the little dude there is a proposition, or an issue, that people would be voting on. "What's voting?" Ok, well I explained how we are going to choose, or vote for a number of things in a couple weeks. I explained that all adults get to vote for a number of things including the president of the United States. I told them that there are two men running for President. I was interrupted, "why only those two?" Having a hard time with the president imagine how I can explain something like proposition 8!

We finally got back to proposition 8. I started by saying, "remember how recently we talked about the fact that when you are older you can marry a girl or a boy... whatever you want...." I cut myself off there. I want my kids to know how I think about stuff and I want them to know that approximtely 50% of the people feel different on any given issue. I don't want them to think I have all the answers. However, proposition 8!? That is just a loaded question. You know, how the heck can you explain that some people feel very strongly that you can not marry another boy if you want to and others feel you can. Oy vey!

I told him mommy and daddy were voting no on 8 and I left it at that.

peace out.