I know some of us are angry, and justifiably so. But let’s not lose sight of the greater picture.
Abbie Kopf, writing at change.org:
Has Obama sacrificed aspects of the LGBT cause? Yes. Absolutely. Unequivocally. Has he screwed the pooch on women’s rights issues? Yes. Has he conceded to foes on environmental priorities? Uh-huh. Has he been a precarious ally to minorities and immigrants? Yes. He has failed a lot of people in a lot of ways. Because he can’t be everything to everyone and still win elections. It’s as if we’ve backed a player in a chess tournament but told him, “If you lose any pieces on your way to the win, we’re outta here.”
It feels good to direct our anger at someone. But as your mother might have told you, what feels good isn’t always what’s right. It was President Obama who ordered that hospitals grant visitation rights to same-sex couples. It was also Obama who appointed a record number of LGBT people to his administration. We’re a tick of the clock away from repealing DADT and many more victories wait in our future. It would be a mistake, and a grave one, to abandon our allies in their time of need because we’re frustrated by the policies of a very new President.
When you hit the election booth on Tuesday, remember that between “for us” and “against us” lies gray, murky waters that some, like Obama, are only beginning to tread. We want change. Many, many politicians want change. And I believe (and hope) that Obama wants change for us, too. If we overcome our anger, we might see a man who just needs a little time and a little support from people who can help him become a more courageous man.
Read all of that.
Dear Tim W,
I would just like to ask you another question- on the rare occasion that a third party candidate wins, which party do they tend to caucus with? Democrats or Republicans?
As I’m sure you know the answer, perhaps then you can realize the wisdom of voting your conscience only after you’ve considered the viability of the candidate to win.
But sadly, I’m sure my words won’t sway you. I hope you enjoy your time spent in a delusional realm where you believe throwing away your most important power is a good idea. Hopefully at least you live in a district where it won’t matter.
Thank-you,
Kai_Jones
Kai,
There are currently 2 Independents in the Senate and they both caucus with the Democrats. Though one is marginal the other Bernie Sanders one of my true heros is a socialist.
And Priya since your God Obama is really a moderate and agrees with Gay Patriot that marriage is between a man and a woman and DADT should not be repealed by the courts you have much more in common. I am pretty much a socialist.
That’s not an advantage in any way. If you’re selecting someone you know will harm you as much as possible over someone you know will either benefit you or at the very least harm you less then you’re pretty stupid.
The Democrats are more responsible for the banking and mortgage crisis than the Republicans. Democrats are responsible for the only two significant federal (I will grant you certainly not state) level anti-gay laws in modern times. At the federal level, Democrats have harmed the gay community more than Republicans in terms of actual legislation. Since Clinton the Democrats have ceased to be an actual party of the left and tacked toward being Republican-lite. The result has been an absolute disaster. We need an actual party of the left and since the Greens are crazy, the only way I can see is to let the Democrats get kicked in the -ss enough that they finally stop the corporate suckupfest and remember who they’re supposed to be. If you know another way, please tell me.
Dear Tim W,
But that’s exactly my point, even your hero, Bernie Sanders, still caucuses with the Democrats. That obviously suggests that the Democratic party is the most likely to get something done that’s favorable for the gay community and the other ideals you support.
Again, I sincerely hope you have not thrown your vote away on an unelectable or a Republican. If you have, then you’ve only done more to hinder your hero.
Best,
Kai_Jones