Twice last week, we could have ended Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Twice, defeat was snatched from the jaws of victory.
Thanks to the very folks who say they want to end Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, we still have federally institutionalized bigotry in this country.
First, they had the chance to repeal DADT legislatively. To appear to support repeal and give cover to those who think they need the bigot vote back home, they tied the repeal to defense spending and immigration reform. It seems clear now that the plan was never to get either repeal or reform, but only a chance to make the opposition look bad for not supporting the military in time of war. So, the folks who say they want to help me to have equal rights are once again using my civil rights as a wedge issue just like the last administration did. Not much change there.
The second chance to end DADT then presented itself. A Federal Court Judge ruled Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was unconstitutional. All the President — who says he’s got my back on this — had to do was decline to appeal the ruling. It would have been over. What happened? The people who say they are in favor of equal rights for all Americans, even the gay ones, are now fighting in court to keep Don’t Ask Don’t Tell in place. That doesn’t feel like a change to me.
I’ve kind of had it. I’m not talking about the opposition. They and their hateful, hurtful rhetoric I kind of expect. It’s my side I’ve had it with.
Maybe they just want to keep the wedge issue? Whatever their reason, it’s clear they don’t care about my rights as much as they do their jobs.
I’m sick and tired of being taken for granted by the folks who keep asking for my support. The other side openly hates me but at least they do me the courtesy of not asking for my vote or my money. I’m reaching the end of my patience with supporting a side that says they support me but acts pretty much just like the folks who hate me. What’s the difference? At least the Foxpublicans hate me for free.
The President was elected on the promise of change. He is the self-declared “Fierce Advocate” of gay civil rights. He’s also the guy who says he’s morally opposed to Gay Marriage. To be fair, Hilary said she favored civil unions, the separate but equal of marriage equality. They kind of all say the same thing one way or another. It’s a game they play.
What it boils down to is craven, political expediency. Almost no one who says they want to help me to have equal rights has the courage to spend the political capital it would take to actually do anything to help. They don’t have a bill that offers a straight up or down vote on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. That would risk them losing the bigot vote. Or my vote by showing their true bigot colors.
Instead, they bundle my rights up in legislative packages that allow them to say to the bigots, “I had to vote to fund the military. I’m a patriot” while pretending to me that they care if I have equal right or not. They tell me that someday, down the road, after they’ve gotten everything else done, if there’s any capital left and there’s time, then they might help with my little equal right thing.
How stupid do they think I am?
I’m sorry, I thought they all swore to uphold the constitution. Not second or later or if there’s time or if it won’t cost them the bigot vote, but first and foremost. In fact, isn’t that the only thing they swear to do?
Is it just me, or isn’t the equal rights of all Americans in the constitution?
So what do I do here? Find another party? I’m honestly looking.
The Libertarians actually call what I’m going through “battered gay voter syndrome.” They say: “Sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity should have no impact on the government’s treatment of individuals, such as in current marriage, child custody, adoption, immigration or military service laws. Government does not have the authority to define, license or restrict personal relationships. Consenting adults should be free to choose their own sexual practices and personal relationships.”
Sounds great right? But they also think the Boys Scout’s ban of gay people is their right as a private organization. Ron Paul’s declaration that he had problems with the Civil Rights Act was another troubling Libertarian notion.
Having the courage of one’s convictions is one thing. But it would be nice if those convictions didn’t include hatred, discrimination and the continued dismantling of the Union.
In the real world, the government actually has to stick up for the little guy. That’s kind of why we have government in the first place, isn’t it? I mean if it’s just the will of the strongest, richest and most powerful, well, that’s kind of the law of the jungle or the dark ages. Given the decline of education and the rise of extremist religious superstition in government, we may already be living in or on the brink of a new dark age. The crusades are already underway.
Here’s what I’m looking for. I’d like the chance to vote for someone who actually believes in and is willing to stand up for the stuff they swear to do in their oath of office. Period. I don’t even really care if they win. I’ve voted for plenty of candidate I didn’t really like over the years because they were less horrible than the alternative. Wouldn’t it be nice, win or lose, to stand up for what we say we believe in? Now that would be a change.
Eric Shaw Quinn 