Get ready to drink and debate and drink, because Beer & Politics will hold its monthly forum next Tuesday at Gallagher’s Pub on Broadway at 7:00pm.  This month, the discussion will focus on the Equal Benefits Ordinance (EBO) that the City Council last week voted to send to the Economic Development Committee for further recommendation.  The EBO would require that companies doing business with the City of Long Beach provide the same benefits to spouses of their employees whether they are married spouses or same-sex domestic partners.

First District Councilmember Robert Garcia, who introduced the ordinance, will be on hand to discuss the EBO opposite staging-live.lbpost.com columnist John Greet. Read his column (and the dozens of comments ranging from philosophical to etymological) by clicking here.

Here’s an excerpt from Greet’s column last week, concerning his stance on the EBO:

In any case I fully support the spirit of what Mr. Garcia is attempting through his recommendation even though I don’t necessarily agree with how he wants to get us there.

The true and primary purpose of government in a well-ordered and civil society is to secure, maintain, protect and increase the individual freedoms, rights and liberties of all People, equally.

If we cannot manage to accomplish these goals at the federal or State levels, then we should, at the very least, encourage their accomplishment at the local level.

As always, anyone in attendance will be encouraged to ask questions to the speakers, and if you’re stuck at home you can always catch the discussion live at beerandpolitics.org.

Click here to read our policy on covering the Long Beach City Council.