tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587902609826926070.post3595679441639568291..comments2024-03-05T23:31:44.106-08:00Comments on Gay Family Values: Exact ChangeGFVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02950236433262366445noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587902609826926070.post-50595133216738356082010-04-18T11:33:28.198-07:002010-04-18T11:33:28.198-07:00Give money to gay politicians: victoryfund.org
Lo...Give money to gay politicians: victoryfund.org<br /><br />Look, you only have a limited amount of money to give to anything, right? You're no billionaire. You can max out your budget just in giving to gay people running for office and in that you're investing in the future of the glbt community. Obama won't need your money in 2012. Neither will the DNC. Not the way a gay state legislator will, a legislator who can make a real difference.Glenn Ingersollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10674475308395975995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587902609826926070.post-68088915235213255162010-04-15T17:48:18.302-07:002010-04-15T17:48:18.302-07:00My hypothesis is that Obama is for gay rights, but...My hypothesis is that Obama is for gay rights, but at the end of the day he's a practical diplomatic type of politican. From what I know of him, he's not really the type to go out burning bridges and using strong-arming measures like how Bush was such a loose cannon with starting the war. He's a consensus builder and a floater, and he courts all sides. If one expects him to sacrifice all his political clout and take an aggressive stand for gay rights, I believe they will be disappointed. At the same time, I do think however slow or minor his support for gay rights is, I believe he is at least progressiv-minded and will take steps to at least advance our cause--even if they're baby steps. I of course could be wrong, but that's my guess about him<br /><br />To me, it really comes down to what are our options. I'm realistic, and politics and the survival in politics depends on popular support both in terms of alliances with other politicans and organizations as well as with the people. Right now, gay rights is "unpopular" which as of this point, makes support for our cause more radical than mainstream. So at the end of the day, I'm hoping but definitely not expecting politicians to take a stand and aggressively help us out regardless of promises made. <br /><br />My guess is that if any radical steps will be made they would happen in the 2nd term not the 1st, when there is less to lose in political survival and he can afford to take more unpopular stances with less reprisal. Of course, maybe he won't do anything at all even in a 2nd term, so that is always a danger to consider.<br /><br />I prefer baby steps or slight to no support over the worst case scenario of somebody actively working against gay interests. So even if Obama ends up disappointing, I really would have to see what other options are out there before I would want to "punish" him for not keeping his word 100%. <br /><br />At the least, even if lip service without action sucks, lip service that's pro-gay is better than a speech that's outright hateful. Just the fact that there's a high-level politician on the level of US President willing to at least treat gays with dignity in public speeches, that makes a positive impact at least. <br /><br />It's definitely tough because we have to find a balance between keeping politicians accountable where they're not just content to feed us bread crumbs. At the same time, we have to be realistic about the political conditions and choose the most practical options instead of just emotionally punishing those who disappoint us. <br /><br />It's burdensome because we only have 2 major parties to choose from at this time, given the way politics have worked here so far. The major problem is going to be changing the hearts and minds of the people in my estimation. It'd be great if we had politicians help change those minds, but more often than not the politicians will be taking their cues from the majority (instead of the other way around) since they can't afford to go against them too many times without risking political suicide. <br /><br />In short, few will do the dirty work for us. We're going to have to be the ones being most aggressive as we're the ones whose self-interest is the one at stake. That's why I'm so proud of you guys because you guys actually are making a difference. Those of us who are not as courageous or more apathetic (which I realize I am at this point but I do plan on getting involved) need to step up as the majority won't really change on their own.u3q2vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15845017823913752380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587902609826926070.post-45777286781389079662010-04-15T14:54:45.142-07:002010-04-15T14:54:45.142-07:00The problem with the gay community is that we have...The problem with the gay community is that we have never taught the Democratic Party a lesson. It is time.<br /><br />In this mid term election season it is time for an active campaign to not vote. Gays should make a no vote for any federal office. Let them lose in California and New York and Massachusetts. Let them lose in some corners of the country where we are strong. Call them on the day of the election and tell them, I am not voting for you or any Democrat today.<br /><br />Then, lets see how the work for us after that.Ervshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15913622901401531817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587902609826926070.post-27643687372844142072010-04-15T14:49:50.692-07:002010-04-15T14:49:50.692-07:00Hmm hopefully the same thing wont happen over here...Hmm hopefully the same thing wont happen over here, just had our first live debate, Nick clegg for the liberal democrats who supports gay marriage won the debate at 46% cameron at 26% and Gordon brown at 20%, hope clegg keeps his word, he seems genuine, and most of all i hope the opinion poll voters actually vote.Bennoreply@blogger.com