Comments on: GOP State Sen.: Why Not Civil Liberties For Everyone? http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2011/04/30/32131 News, analysis and fact-checking of anti-gay rhetoric Sat, 18 May 2013 18:09:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Désirée http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2011/04/30/32131/comment-page-1#comment-93581 Désirée Tue, 03 May 2011 05:50:58 +0000 http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=32131#comment-93581 The fact remains that most people are going to vote based on economic principles before they vote on gay rights principles. A person could be for gay rights, but also strongly capitalist, and they are going to vote Republican because, ultimately, those economic policies will affect them whereas the gay rights ones will not. In a battle between two evils (dem vs. repubs) people will choose the one whose heinous policies are easiest to ignore/avoid. Whether either side supports "gay rights" is a minor consideration in the grand scheme. What a politician wants to do with the money in your wallet will also trump any other consideration. The fact remains that most people are going to vote based on economic principles before they vote on gay rights principles. A person could be for gay rights, but also strongly capitalist, and they are going to vote Republican because, ultimately, those economic policies will affect them whereas the gay rights ones will not.

In a battle between two evils (dem vs. repubs) people will choose the one whose heinous policies are easiest to ignore/avoid. Whether either side supports “gay rights” is a minor consideration in the grand scheme. What a politician wants to do with the money in your wallet will also trump any other consideration.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2011/04/30/32131/comment-page-1#comment-93506 Ryan Sun, 01 May 2011 20:41:36 +0000 http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=32131#comment-93506 The thing is, while more and more Americans are coming around on gay equality issues, I'm not sure too many are actually voting based on that. A Repub or right-leaning Independent voter might be for gay marriage in theory, but they're not gonna vote for the Democratic candidate based on that issue. I think that's the real problem. Republicans have zero incentive to vote our way, while through the Religious Right, they have a huge incentive to vote the other way. The thing is, while more and more Americans are coming around on gay equality issues, I’m not sure too many are actually voting based on that. A Repub or right-leaning Independent voter might be for gay marriage in theory, but they’re not gonna vote for the Democratic candidate based on that issue. I think that’s the real problem. Republicans have zero incentive to vote our way, while through the Religious Right, they have a huge incentive to vote the other way.

]]> By: Richard Rush http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2011/04/30/32131/comment-page-1#comment-93494 Richard Rush Sun, 01 May 2011 15:13:38 +0000 http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=32131#comment-93494 e.a. said, <blockquote>Andrew Sullivan has maintained for years that the American conservatives won’t dump the hate until they suffer such defeat at the polls there is no other choice.</blockquote> That reminds me of something I read a long time ago, and it stuck with me. To paraphrase: Generally, politicians are not focused on changing or shaping public opinions/attitudes/beliefs. They merely exploit the existing opinions/attitudes/beliefs to the maximum extent possible to garner votes. And that, largely, seems to approximate the definition of a demagogue. e.a. said,

Andrew Sullivan has maintained for years that the American conservatives won’t dump the hate until they suffer such defeat at the polls there is no other choice.

That reminds me of something I read a long time ago, and it stuck with me. To paraphrase: Generally, politicians are not focused on changing or shaping public opinions/attitudes/beliefs. They merely exploit the existing opinions/attitudes/beliefs to the maximum extent possible to garner votes.

And that, largely, seems to approximate the definition of a demagogue.

]]> By: enough already http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2011/04/30/32131/comment-page-1#comment-93490 enough already Sun, 01 May 2011 08:12:40 +0000 http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=32131#comment-93490 Andrew Sullivan has maintained for years that the American conservatives won't dump the hate until they suffer such defeat at the polls there is no other choice. I think he's right. I also wonder if, given that the US is now in the 151st year of the War between the States, this will ever happen. Oh, and save me the usual anti-Andrew spew. It's <i>so</i> weary making. Andrew Sullivan has maintained for years that the American conservatives won’t dump the hate until they suffer such defeat at the polls there is no other choice.

I think he’s right. I also wonder if, given that the US is now in the 151st year of the War between the States, this will ever happen.

Oh, and save me the usual anti-Andrew spew. It’s so weary making.

]]> By: Graham http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2011/04/30/32131/comment-page-1#comment-93485 Graham Sun, 01 May 2011 03:06:24 +0000 http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=32131#comment-93485 "Also speaking at the convention was Fred Karger, who is running for the GOP nomination as the nation’s first openly gay presidential candidate" excusez-moi... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_McReynolds “Also speaking at the convention was Fred Karger, who is running for the GOP nomination as the nation’s first openly gay presidential candidate”

excusez-moi…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_McReynolds

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