To the Editor:

I found Rep. Phil Haire’s recent letter outlining and justifying his opposition to SB 514, the Defense of Marriage Bill, very alarming.

Rep. Haire was 100 percent wrong when he said that to put the issue of homosexual marriage on the ballot in the form of a constitutional amendment is a “gross waste of your time and state funds.” Mr. Haire fails to take into account that marriage between one man and one woman is an integral part of the moral foundation that this country and the state of North Carolina is built upon. It is worth fighting for, both from a moral and economic standpoint.

The issue of gay marriage is all about the money, plain and simple. Sure, homosexual couples want to feel that their unions are validated and legitimate, but the bigger issue is to be recognized for the sake of financial reasons (Social Security benefits, state pensions, insurance).

What people do behind closed doors is strictly their own business. However, when that behavior is brought out and forced upon the public and is attempted to be mainstreamed — and paid for by the taxpayers — it must be stopped for the good of our state and our country!

Rep. Haire needs to make clear his stance. He is not against SB514, rather he is for gay/homosexual marriage, plain and simple. Mr. Haire also references several biblical passages which aided his decision making process. Unfortunately, I think he failed to take several verses, which clearly outline what marriage is, into account: “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them all male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh” (Matthew 19:4-5).

This is a very serious issue that effects all of us and our future generations. I hope that Rep. Haire will remember that the next time he casts a vote in Raleigh that he thinks will save the taxpayers time and money.

Scott C. Stump

Waynesville