DU gays: Would it offend you if a Democratic politician came out and said

"Gay marriage is a non-issue. We have issues of a great deal more importance before us to deal with."?

Like, say if Howard Dean said that. Would you get upset?

Before you answer, keep in mind that the issue is obviously being used as a distraction.

I want my gay friends to have EXACTLY the same rights as me, and that includes the right to marry their partner. It's not technically a "distraction" if there actually are political forces trying to take their rights away, and that's what's happening.

It automatically becomes a situation where one is more often than not forced into abandoning positions. I'm sure at one point being pro-Civil Rights was divisive in the Democratic Party in the 1950s and just mentioning being pro-integration was enough to cost votes in the Midwest and Deep South.

At least in systems that use proportional representation, you're free to vote for the guy who is leftist and pro-gay rights. For those who disagree about letting gays marry, you are more likely than not offered a leftist choice that accomodates that preference as well. At least, I see it often in democratic systems in Europe with several center-left and left parties on the ballot. If you're socially conservative but more left-leaning on economic issues, then you could vote for the Christian Democrats. For gays who lean left, they could choose parties that could be more tolerant of the notion of gay marriage by voting for the more secular Social Democratic or Green or Labor or even Socialist parties.

In this fashion, you are not forced into fighting fellow leftists over control of one microphone. (The Democratic Party) In proportional representation, you have several microphones where even more people can be represented than with just one.

To say our two-party system is adequate in representing the views of the people is like saying the Titanic performed successfully because there were lifeboats for half the passengers.

Damn, Selatious, that was funny.

But the rest of your reply was downright succinct (OK, I just hurt my brain ).

Tom

I'm sick of being told as a lesbian, an atheist, and a woman that my issues are "non-issues" and I should STFU and step to the back of the bus.

because many of our fellow DUers are already, or will be saying ,it's unimportant,a distraction, a non-issue. it's thick skin time.snicker

I've lost count of how many times DUers have said that gays/atheists/women need to stop whining about their piddly little problems because it's costing the Democrats votes. :eyes:

They may want us to go back into our closets, but it 'aint gonna happen. :grr:

at the moment - the issue is being used as a wedge and a blatent manipulation to mollify the religious right. If the repub religious base weren't abandoning the repubs, and the repubs are in serious danger of losing the House and/or Senate - would this even be on the agenda at a level of a constitutional amendment?

the repubs KNOW they don't have the votes for cloture, they don't have the votes for passage - yet they'll forge ahead anyways, waste time, waste money just to toss the religious right a bone.

Iraq is a mess - repubs would have a very difficult time pointing to "successes". bush*'s numbers are in the sewer and repubs are trying to avoid being strangled by his coat tails. Terra-Terra-Terra and the fear factor doesn't work well anymore - we've been whacked with that one too many time and most of us are desensitized. repubs can try to talk up the economy - but gas and related goods are killing our wallets leaving people saying " Huh? good for who?"

this is pure political stunt at it's worst.

If the repubs motives were based out of real concern - there would be hearings and studies done to determine the effect of gay marriage on our country - not knee-jerk reaction to placate homophobes in order to get votes.

How many of our troops have died and been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan because Annie and Katie want the same rights as George and Laura?

Will Bin-Laden and his group suddenly stop their activities because Wendy and Diane are prevented from marrying?

Will Iran and North Korea cease their nuke plans if Kevin and Ted cancel wedding plans?

How many illegal aliens have entered the country because Jim and Harry want to get married?

How much did gas prices go up because Mike and Bill filed for a marriage license?

Will corporations stop breaking laws, and Congress stop taking bribes if marriage is protected?

If we define marriage as being between 1 man and 1 woman - does that mean my parents will be able to get their prescriptions filled at an affordable price?

If Rhonda and Barbara don't marry - will gas prices become more affordable?

in answer to your poll question: given the current circumstances - no I wouldn't be insulted. I would be insulted if after real debates/hearings that are based on sincere motives if either party tried to sweep it under the rug. But - this so-called debate is just an attempt to foment more hate.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

Say hello to Yahoo Serious for us!

Nobody can convince me that Europe's little Penal Colony-- and home of The Lost Generation and the Aboriginal Genocide-- is any place fit for raising children.

how you feel.

and i hate it when breeders shove their lifestyle in my face -- after all i pay taxes and contribute to society -- i need that headache?

if you heteros could ever stop plugging children -- i might feel different -- lol -- like that will ever happen.

:loveya:



:D

YOU don't raise any kids, because all you'll do is poison them with your bigoted attitudes.

Go play somewhere else, Bruce.

I am talking about voting in congress not this poll

The Democrats should make a strong, clear and short statement in support of equal rights for all, block this nonsense, and then proceed to clobber the Republicans with a litany of the real problems facing this country: lack of adequate health care, the crumbling infrastructure, the insane Bush foreign agenda, corrupt elections, etc.

The issue of allowing gay marriage is an important one; but the way it is being framed by Bush and the Republicans makes the upcoming fight pure Rovian bullshit.

If the Repubs are allowed to make "protecting" heterosexual marriage the issue de jour, then prohibiting a Spanish version of The Star Spangled Banner, criminalizing flag-burning and god only knows what other bullshit "issues" will follow, putting the Democrats on the defensive at the exact time they ought be on the offensive.

God help us all, whether gay or straight, if our "leadership" opts to "keep the powder dry" on this one. Ultimately those of us who are straight have as much to lose on this as members of the gay and lesbian community. We cannot allow the Bush Crime Family to get away with this.

Equal rights for EVERYONE goddammit!!! :mad:

:patriot:

an issue of fundamental human rights would be called a non-issue.

I would agree that the way the debate is being framed now is bullshit and designed cynically as a wedge, but the issue itself is important.