What Really Matters?

Brack Obama recently spoke at a rally in Medford, Oregon, using a speech about wedge issues that he's rolled out throughout the state. It's interesting because I'm familiar with Oregon; my brother's went to college just outside of Medford. Oregon is an interesting state politically that's been battling some demons. It's not a huge state, but it is as politically diverse as a behemoth like its neighbor to the south, California. Oregon has been haunted by equality fights over the past decade. Once thought to be an early-pioneer test ground for marriage, it's not caught up in a constant stuggle over basic rights. And this is where Seantor Obama decided to say this:

The reason that we have to talk about and deal with these divisions is because we get distracted every political season and election cycle by these divisions. And then we end up ignoring these big problems. Think about what these last few election cycles have been about. We argue about immigration, but we don't try to solve the immigration problem. It's an argument that is all about people's passions instead of trying to figure it out. We argue about gay marriage. In the meantime the planet is...potentially being destroyed. We've got a war that is bankrupting us. And we're going to argue about gay marriage? (applause) I mean, that...doesn't make any sense.

We argue about gay marriage because "principle progressive leaders" don't exist to speak out bravely and boldy in defense of civil rights and against the new apartheid state.

What I am most afraid about Democratic nominee Barack Obama is that he will sell us out to the right. Ironic, since he was like the most liberal senator or something of the sort; I heard it on Fox News. My friends that support him criticize Hillary -- and typically Bill, too -- by talking about how she's a hawk, how the Clinton years were a disappointment, and how we need a new leader that can bring America together.

Guess what? Conservatives don't want to sit down at the table and give me half of what I want if I concede to half of what they want. Politics is war with balloons and less polling. We convince the majority of Americans to support our candidates and then our candidates rule.

Have you ever asked yourself why the British flag doesn't fly over American buildings? Because the British lost the war.

Conservatives have spent the past 8 years denying every modest movement in a more progressive direction. They have used all their energy to villify people like Barack Obama who support tolerance, oppose the war, and want to invest in our future. Why give in to them?

Marriage equality is not a wedge issue. It's a bread-and-butter issue for about 30 million Americans and those that care about them. It's about fairness. It's about justice. It's about segregation. And taxation. And health care. And education. And employment. To 30 million Americans it is as important as things like the war and global warming.

Do you need more examples besides my landlord?

Two friends of mine are in a relationship and "registerred Domestic Partners." In California, that ugly term is about the same as civil marriage. Lesbo 1 has a job with great health benefits. They'll cover Domestic Partners. Lesbo 2 needs the coverage, so they take it. Just like how my dad's been under my mom's health insurance for about 35 years. Except the lesbians get a 1099 at the end of the year. Lesbo 2's coverage is considered income and they must pay income tax on the insurance benefits that my dad would never have had to pay.

Every time that Barack Obama says something stupid like...

We argue about gay marriage. In the meantime the planet is...potentially being destroyed. We've got a war that is bankrupting us. And we're going to argue about gay marriage? I mean, that...doesn't make any sense.

...I'm gonna try to remind us all why he needs to really lead and not just prance around on stage dressed like a leader and reading a leaders lines.



Source: Towleroad.