Yes, many in the GOP hold these bizarre ideas, and quite a lot don’t. But face it, many in the Democratic Party hold them too, with barely a difference. The Democrats only seem to be um, evolving a bit faster than the GOP; or are less vocal in their antigay rhetoric. Though, NY State senator Ruben Diaz, certain Orthodox Rabbis, the African-American community, Latinos and their Catholic leaders — all good Democrats for sure — have not evolved one iota. And just 20 years ago this would have fit both parties just perfectly, too.
On the other hand, in my involvement in the Tea Party movement as an openly gay guy, well, some are indeed evangelical loonies, and others are far more evolved then the Democratic president we’re none too happy with.
You know, one thing I wish for gay folks to realize is that we do not have to have only the Democrats like us, (and all of them clearly don’t,) but we need Republicans too. In fact, I personally need all 320 million Americans to just not give a damn anymore, and then we can argue economics or something else. So go befriend a Republican, and teach them something they don’t know. For what am I do to with only one political party for me, and the other against me? Get us to a one party state? Yikes.
Jim Hlavac minimizes the extent the Tea Party is infested with the religious right types who want all the government services but don’t want to pay for them. The Tea Baggers homophobia is rampant and let’s not even discuss Transphobia.
It always amazes me when people vote against their own best interest, and for LGBTQ people, right now at least, the Democratic party is the only viable support in town.
In the utopian environment we might get passed all the social issues the Republicans and Tea Baggers (despite their lip-service credo) are constantly trying to stir up wars over, but we are nowhere near that point.
The haters (religious types) will always demand that their God can beat up Your God so you damn well better bow down and accept their interpretation of God.
Gene
March 1, 2012 at 9:29 am -
Jim, I am not an idiot, and as a former republican who grew and matured and moved past the self interested lies and b******t of the tea party crown, I want you to know that most democrats are FAR better people (yes I said it because it is true) than republicans. Less bigoted as a rule, more tolerant of others, and less self centered. (the b******t about Republicans being more charitable is just that, b******t, because that ‘charity’ money being counted includes tithes nd offerings, most often used by conservative churches to build grandious ‘family worship centers’, keeping the ‘pastors’ in luxury, and paying to fight OUR rights, like the mormon and evangelical and catholic ‘charity’ money used to fight marriage equality in California)
more and more African americans are coming around to seeing our rights as what they are…just.
MOST rabbis and Jews (and most Americans Jews are NOT Orthodox) support our rights and other minority groups civil rights. And Many a brave Orthodox Jew (see the BEAUTIFUL example of Chiam Levin!) is standing up and saying “enough”.
Is the Democratic party full of saints? Hell no.
Is it INFINITELY better for gays, other minorities, this nation, and the world than the neo con/religiously fundy trash controlled Republican party that has WRITTEN DISCRIMINATION AGAINST US INTO ITS PLATFORM?
TO ANYONE WITH A BRAIN, YES!
A GAY Tea Party follower?
Grow up.
And by the way, I am THRILLED, as a banker, with the economic policies of this president which prevented this country from sliding into a Depression, his civil rights work (he has done as much as politically feasible for gay rights..DADT gone, DOMA not defended, et. al.) and while not perfect, his policies on the environment and womens rights are INFINITELY better than his predecessors or the heretic or frothy mix wingnut who wants to replace him.
Paul Douglas
March 1, 2012 at 8:11 pm -
Well said Gene. Jim seems to live in a self-imposed delusional state by his comments.
I grew up Republican – in a party MUCH different than the one that exists now. Even that party was marred by brainwashing and lies being repeated until people believed them.
This one though….
As Senator Olympia Snowe, a brilliant woman and a fine politician exits the national stage under endless pressure from the extreme, the present day Republican party moves closer and closer to being nothing but a caricature of what it once was. Dominated by a certain wing of the religious community and the largest of big businesses – with a strong share of the wealthiest Americans and endless support from the likes of the Koch brothers (the family after all being involved in the founding of the John Birch Society), this is not a party that can survive long term. Only skewed voting based on age (older people vote more) and party loyalty among many people who were Republicans in an earlier age is keeping them afloat now.
When I was a young Republican, I was not welcome to work on campaigns (I was always out) even in the North where I live. As a Democrat I’ve raised funds (was actually the second highest funder for one candidate in terms of money raised) and advised campaigns (particularly Samara Barend in 04). I have written position papers, and have no problem talking to high ranking party insiders. I am, in a word respected.
So is everyone else. Democrats actually do care about America, all of it — Republicans simply do not – and as a person who has been on both sides, I can assure you of that.
As for the Koch supported, and often Koch created grass roots and turf roots groups that now dominate the party — they abominate every value that my parents and their parents – Republicans all — ever held.
As people there is no contest, and on policy — I’m sorry, the President has spent his term doing the right thing and to a large degree repairing – as much as the obstruction to his right would allow – the damage done by his Republican predecessor.
My partner of 19 years (going on 20 — pretty much our adult lives) was born Jewish — and he often says “gay Republicans are exactly like Jewish Nazis were” — I have to agree.
Regards,
Reyn
Denise
March 7, 2012 at 10:31 pm -
am I a bigot because I’m pro-life?
Mike Airhart
March 8, 2012 at 12:06 am -
Denise, nobody here called pro-lifers bigots.
As a nominal Christian and former pro-life advocate, I believe it is unfortunate that some pro-life persons support anti-life and pro-abortion policies, such as:
– opposing sex education and contraception, both of which prevent abortion
– supporting reckless warfare against Muslim civilians
– supporting harassment of sexual minorities in schools
– supporting environmental degradation
– placing a higher priority on personal mammon (prosperity) than on the well-being of communities and workers
Yes, many in the GOP hold these bizarre ideas, and quite a lot don’t. But face it, many in the Democratic Party hold them too, with barely a difference. The Democrats only seem to be um, evolving a bit faster than the GOP; or are less vocal in their antigay rhetoric. Though, NY State senator Ruben Diaz, certain Orthodox Rabbis, the African-American community, Latinos and their Catholic leaders — all good Democrats for sure — have not evolved one iota. And just 20 years ago this would have fit both parties just perfectly, too.
On the other hand, in my involvement in the Tea Party movement as an openly gay guy, well, some are indeed evangelical loonies, and others are far more evolved then the Democratic president we’re none too happy with.
You know, one thing I wish for gay folks to realize is that we do not have to have only the Democrats like us, (and all of them clearly don’t,) but we need Republicans too. In fact, I personally need all 320 million Americans to just not give a damn anymore, and then we can argue economics or something else. So go befriend a Republican, and teach them something they don’t know. For what am I do to with only one political party for me, and the other against me? Get us to a one party state? Yikes.
Brilliant, I’m reblogging this.
Jim Hlavac minimizes the extent the Tea Party is infested with the religious right types who want all the government services but don’t want to pay for them. The Tea Baggers homophobia is rampant and let’s not even discuss Transphobia.
It always amazes me when people vote against their own best interest, and for LGBTQ people, right now at least, the Democratic party is the only viable support in town.
In the utopian environment we might get passed all the social issues the Republicans and Tea Baggers (despite their lip-service credo) are constantly trying to stir up wars over, but we are nowhere near that point.
The haters (religious types) will always demand that their God can beat up Your God so you damn well better bow down and accept their interpretation of God.
Jim, I am not an idiot, and as a former republican who grew and matured and moved past the self interested lies and b******t of the tea party crown, I want you to know that most democrats are FAR better people (yes I said it because it is true) than republicans. Less bigoted as a rule, more tolerant of others, and less self centered. (the b******t about Republicans being more charitable is just that, b******t, because that ‘charity’ money being counted includes tithes nd offerings, most often used by conservative churches to build grandious ‘family worship centers’, keeping the ‘pastors’ in luxury, and paying to fight OUR rights, like the mormon and evangelical and catholic ‘charity’ money used to fight marriage equality in California)
more and more African americans are coming around to seeing our rights as what they are…just.
MOST rabbis and Jews (and most Americans Jews are NOT Orthodox) support our rights and other minority groups civil rights. And Many a brave Orthodox Jew (see the BEAUTIFUL example of Chiam Levin!) is standing up and saying “enough”.
Is the Democratic party full of saints? Hell no.
Is it INFINITELY better for gays, other minorities, this nation, and the world than the neo con/religiously fundy trash controlled Republican party that has WRITTEN DISCRIMINATION AGAINST US INTO ITS PLATFORM?
TO ANYONE WITH A BRAIN, YES!
A GAY Tea Party follower?
Grow up.
And by the way, I am THRILLED, as a banker, with the economic policies of this president which prevented this country from sliding into a Depression, his civil rights work (he has done as much as politically feasible for gay rights..DADT gone, DOMA not defended, et. al.) and while not perfect, his policies on the environment and womens rights are INFINITELY better than his predecessors or the heretic or frothy mix wingnut who wants to replace him.
Well said Gene. Jim seems to live in a self-imposed delusional state by his comments.
Jim,
I grew up Republican – in a party MUCH different than the one that exists now. Even that party was marred by brainwashing and lies being repeated until people believed them.
This one though….
As Senator Olympia Snowe, a brilliant woman and a fine politician exits the national stage under endless pressure from the extreme, the present day Republican party moves closer and closer to being nothing but a caricature of what it once was. Dominated by a certain wing of the religious community and the largest of big businesses – with a strong share of the wealthiest Americans and endless support from the likes of the Koch brothers (the family after all being involved in the founding of the John Birch Society), this is not a party that can survive long term. Only skewed voting based on age (older people vote more) and party loyalty among many people who were Republicans in an earlier age is keeping them afloat now.
When I was a young Republican, I was not welcome to work on campaigns (I was always out) even in the North where I live. As a Democrat I’ve raised funds (was actually the second highest funder for one candidate in terms of money raised) and advised campaigns (particularly Samara Barend in 04). I have written position papers, and have no problem talking to high ranking party insiders. I am, in a word respected.
So is everyone else. Democrats actually do care about America, all of it — Republicans simply do not – and as a person who has been on both sides, I can assure you of that.
As for the Koch supported, and often Koch created grass roots and turf roots groups that now dominate the party — they abominate every value that my parents and their parents – Republicans all — ever held.
As people there is no contest, and on policy — I’m sorry, the President has spent his term doing the right thing and to a large degree repairing – as much as the obstruction to his right would allow – the damage done by his Republican predecessor.
My partner of 19 years (going on 20 — pretty much our adult lives) was born Jewish — and he often says “gay Republicans are exactly like Jewish Nazis were” — I have to agree.
Regards,
Reyn
am I a bigot because I’m pro-life?
Denise, nobody here called pro-lifers bigots.
As a nominal Christian and former pro-life advocate, I believe it is unfortunate that some pro-life persons support anti-life and pro-abortion policies, such as:
– opposing sex education and contraception, both of which prevent abortion
– supporting reckless warfare against Muslim civilians
– supporting harassment of sexual minorities in schools
– supporting environmental degradation
– placing a higher priority on personal mammon (prosperity) than on the well-being of communities and workers