Scare 'Em with Lies

A reminder:

"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."

—H. L. Mencken

I posted that a few days ago to remind the young naifs who read this blog (there are 5) of the second law of practical politics--the first, of course, is GET THE MONEY.

Now here's how it plays out in one State issue:

Although there's not much dispute that the proposed constitutional amendment on marriage in Wisconsin would bar same-sex unions, there is deep disagreement about what the wording might mean for civil unions and domestic-partner benefits.

But the second sentence is less [clear], and it has ignited concern from opponents that it would reach beyond the issue of same-sex marriage to affect senior citizens and health care arrangements.

(O MY GOD!!! Granny's going to be on the street, penniless. A Bag Lady!)

...the amendment could jeopardize legal arrangements that unmarried older couples might have in place, such as a health care power of attorney or property transfers.

Let's not even comment on the somewhat sketchy predicate there. "Unmarried older couples"?

[The author of The Amendment said that] the amendment would allow the Legislature at some point to create a civil union that includes a limited number of benefits, as long as it wasn't "substantially similar" to what's granted to a married couple [and that] the amendment shouldn't affect what kind of benefits employers might choose to offer their workers.

...assuming, of course, that the judges in question are not as demented as Schreechin'Shirley and her slim majority of wackos currently occupying the SCOWI.

But hey! Truth is not a consideration in Queer Politics.