Ben Carson in Politico.com


On Civil Rights: Apologized for likening homosexuality to pedophilia

Ben Carson apologized for comments he made about gay marriage on Sean Hannity's TV show earlier this week. "I think in terms of what was said on Sean Hannity's show, that was taken completely out of context and completely misunderstood in terms of what I was trying to say. As a Christian, I have a duty to love all people and that includes people who have other sexual orientations, and I certainly do, and never had any intention of offending anyone. If anyone was offended, I apologize to you."

Carson came under scrutiny when he appeared to liken homosexuality to pedophilia and bestiality, sparking the outrage of the LGBT community. "My thoughts are that marriage is between a man and a woman. It's a well-established fundamental pillar of society and no group, be they gays, be they NAMBLA, be they people who believe in bestiality, it doesn't matter what they are, they don't get to change the definition," the doctor, who is the director of pediatric neurosurgery, said on Hannity's show.

Source: Breanna Edwards on Politico.com Mar 29, 2013

On Civil Rights: Marriage should not be extended to same-sex couples

Carson remained firmly rooted in his belief that the term "marriage" should not be extended to same-sex couples, although he said the couples should be treated "kindly" and have whatever legal agreements they desire in order to transfer property and have visitation rights, among other rights. "Marriage is a very sacred thing and we need to maintain it as a sacred thing. When I say we don't want to change it or degrade it by calling everything marriage, that's not aimed at any particular group," he said. "But the fact of the matter is, the Bible and God have set very specific standards. It's very clear what's being said. God doesn't change, man changes. Our duty is to allow for that change and to still love them and in terms of what happens with them, that's a decision that's up to God, that's not our decision."
Source: Breanna Edwards on Politico.com Mar 29, 2013

On Civil Rights: Give gays rights, but not marriage, because it's a choice

Ben Carson said that "a lot of people who go into prison straight, and when they come out they're gay." The remarks were made on CNN's "New Day" in response to a question about whether Carson thought being gay was a "choice."

"Absolutely," Carson replied. Asked why, he went on to explain his prison theory. "So did something happen while they were in there?" he said. "Ask yourself that question."

He continued, invoking his argument against same-sex marriage: "Why do gay people want to get married? Because they want to have various rights," he said. "Property rights, visitation rights--why can't any two human beings, I don't care what their sexual orientation is, why can't they have the legal right to do those things?"

Later in a statement to CNN, Carson backed down a bit from his morning remarks. "I do not pretend to know how every individual came to their sexual orientation," he said. I regret that my words to express that concept were hurtful and divisive."

Source: Politico.com 2015 coverage of 2016 presidential hopefuls Mar 4, 2015

On Health Care: I don't want to end Medicare, just make it more efficient

The liberal media is claiming I want to 'abolish' Medicare; that is plain laughable. That's just a narrative that somebody's putting out there to scare people. But I do believe that there should be an alternative. So, instead of our money going into the inefficient system that it goes in now, it can be divvied up into your family's health savings account so you have complete control and ability to contribute more than your employer. The same dollars that would be going to you through Medicare would go into your health savings account, unless of course you choose to opt-in to Medicare, which will still be on the table. I think seniors will see that the alternative we're going to outline is so much better than Medicare, and they will flock to it.
Source: Politico.com on 2015 presidential hopefuls Nov 4, 2015

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