Michelangelo Signorile: As Supreme Court Decides; Straight Allies Put Us On Hold

 

 

 

All over America it appears that the LGBT struggle for equal rights has been put on 'hold' until the Supreme Court decides our two cases within just 18 days. Straight allies are hoping that the Court will relieve them of the burden of their having to go out on a limb for our freedom.

Rather it is immigration reform or the vote (or lack of one) in Illinois, everyone seems to be 'Waiting for Godet ".

Michelangelo Signorile in his column on Gay Voices powerfully tackles this issue and the lack of courage in politics these days on LGBT equality.

Back in March, during oral arguments before the Supreme Court on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Chief Justice John Roberts, echoing the claims of anti-gay leaders, described gays and lesbians as an all-powerful "lobby," seemingly able to bend politicians to its will. Because gays are "politically powerful," they may not warrant equal protection under the Constitution, he suggested, because "political figures are falling over themselves" to support gay civil rights. It was a breathtaking statement since the logic could be used to make the same argument regarding protections for Jews, blacks or women.

And, judging from the recent actions of those "political figures," it was completely false. Just fast forward two months: While we wait for the Supreme Court's decision on DOMA (as well as Prop 8) any day now, the Democratic President of the United States isn't exactly falling all over himself for gays, refusing for over a year now to sign an executive order banning employment discrimination against LGBT people among federal contractors. In the face of relentless pressure from activists, and calls from prominent LGBT donors to withhold money from the Democrats, Obama doesn't seem even close to signing what the White House now dubs the "hypothetical" order. Every day he waits, companies like Exxon Mobil, which refuse to implement anti-discrimination policies for gay and transgender people, are able to fire LGBT people, many of whom tremble in the closet at work, fearful of losing their jobs. Doesn't exactly sound like the omnipotent gay lobby, does it?

Democrats in the Illinois House, even with a super majority in the legislature, also didn't fall all over themselves for gays and lesbians in Illinois two weeks ago, when they couldn't muster the votes to pass a marriage equality bill. After months of anticipation, and with Gov. Pat Quinn ready to sign the bill that had already passed the state senate, the chief sponsor of the bill decided not to call a vote before the legislative session ran out, giving cover to legislators who clearly didn't get the memo from the all-powerful gay lobby.

And the only people Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee were falling all over themselves for three weeks ago were Republicans, like Senator Lindsey Graham, who threatened to torpedo landmark immigration reform legislation if it included a provision to help bi-national gay couples stay together rather than have one of the partners face deportation. The fact that Democrats fell for the GOP bluster so quickly and easily, kicking gays to the curb even while knowing the GOP leadership is desperate to pass an immigration bill, only underscores how gays are a minority group whose rights are always precarious.

"The most vulnerable members of our community relied on [ New York] Senator Schumer and [California] Senator Feinstein to stand up for us and end decades of catastrophic and irreparable harm to our families caused by DOMA and our exclusion from U.S. immigration law," wrote Lavi Soloway of the DOMA Project. It's pitiful and insulting that Schumer and Feinstein, as well as Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, also one of the "gang of eight" senators who crafted the immigration legislation, claim to be champions of LGBT rights.

It also demonstrates that even in this time when some pundits claim gays have arrived, our supposed friends are still throwing us overboard, subjecting us to ongoing discrimination. Here's hoping that, even if John Roberts isn't among them, five justices of the Supreme Court get that.

Michele Bachmann Trailing Challenger In Congressional Race! FBI Is Investigating Congresswoman!

 

 

Democrat Jim Graves and Congresswoman Michele Bachmann

Minnesota's Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, a long time foe of LGBT equality, is currently trailing in her bid to be re-elected in 2014. Hotel Executive Jim Graves is now leading her in the new Public Policy poll. The results are:

Jim Graves: 47%

Michele Bachmann: 45%

In addition, the Minneapolis Star is reporting that the FBI has joined the investigation into of her presidential campaign in Iowa. The paper reported:

The FBI is investigating complaints of alleged campaign finance violations in Rep. Michele Bachmann's presidential campaign.

The FBI joins the Office of Congressional Ethics, the Federal Elections Commission and an Iowa state Senate ethics committee in probing whether Bachmann's presidential campaign paid an Iowa state senator from her MichelePAC, a fund that should not have been used for campaign expenses, and whether the state senator stole the email list of an Iowa home-school group from another Bachmann staffer, Barbara Hekki, prior to the Iowa caucuses in January, 2012.

Andy Parrish, former Bachmann chief of staff and one of the directors of Bachmann's Iowa GOP presidential campaign, will be interviewed by the FBI, according to his attorney, John Gilmore.

"I can confirm that Andy Parrish has been contacted by the FBI for a scheduled interview next week," Gilmore said. "He will cooperate fully."

Parrish has filed an affidavit with the Iowa ethics committee stating that state Sen. Kent Sorenson was paid for his work on the Bachmann presidential campaign through a fundraising firm that had ties to MichelePAC.

The entry of the FBI into the investigation raises the possibility that there were potential criminal violations. In addition to the alleged theft of the home-school list, the FBI is said to be looking into the campaign's demand that certain former employees, whose pay was withheld at the end of the campaign, sign non-disclosure agreements before receiving their compensation.

YOU CAN DONATE TO DEMOCRAT JIM GRAVES TO DEFEAT MICHELE BACHMANN HERE>>>>>

Robert Shrum: Nancy Pelosi Would Be The Perfect Speaker of the House!

 

 

Commentator and author Robert Shrum writing for The Daily Beast says if the Democrats take back the House that Nancy Pelosi would be one of the best Speakers of the House ever. He writes that, despite her unfavorable ratings from relentless attacks from Republicans, she has the politics to gather the Democratic Party and push through progressive legislation for the President to sign. No wonder the Republicans are so worried about her.

Shrum writes:

Even before she was elected Democratic leader in 2003, she was a pioneering architect of legislation to combat HIV/AIDS. She voted against the Defense of Marriage Act—and against the resolution authorizing George W. Bush to go to war in Iraq. And after she became leader, she marshaled near unanimous Democratic opposition to Bush’s scheme to privatize Social Security, and the intimidated the GOP majority didn’t even dare bring it to a vote.

As speaker in 2007, she pushed through an increase in the minimum wage—and a once resistant Bush signed it as part of the bill for Hurricane Katrina relief and supplemental funding for U.S. military forces in Iraq. A year later, she pungently described Bush as “a total failure, losing all credibility…on the economy, on the war, on energy, you name the subject”—an assessment that’s worth remembering during this week’s exquisitely polite rituals at the dedication of the Bush presidential library.

A masterful inside politician, a Democrat’s Democrat, she nonetheless transcended partisanship when the economic crisis hit during the twilight of the Bush administration. After Republicans first defeated the bank bailout bill in the House—and the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 777 points in one day—she persuaded 33 Democrats to switch their votes, and the bill passed despite the opposition of a majority of GOP members. The bailout wasn’t popular, but it was an essential first step back from the brink of a second Great Depression, and then, as now, Pelosi knew that popularity counts in politics, but it isn’t the only standard of public service.

Her chance to change America as well as his came with Barack Obama’s inauguration. The following two years saw what the political scientist Norman Ornstein called “the best Congress you’ll ever hate.” The unrelenting GOP opposition, the distortions and the demagoguery, would cost House Democrats their majority in 2010, but in the meantime they did what had to be done and wrote a new chapter in our national life.

The president, Pelosi, and her leadership team secured a second economy-saving measure, the $800 billion stimulus package, without a single Republican vote in the House. The legislation not only included one of the biggest middle-class tax cuts in history but also pumped resources into broadband and wireless Internet, clean energy, a modern electricity grid, education, transportation, and infrastructure. It responded to “the fierce urgency” of the moment—and it advanced a futuristic vision of America. The investment could have been greater, but it was the most that could be squeezed through a polarized Congress. Or as Michael Grunwald of Time put it in his book The New New Deal, the stimulus was “stocked” with “game-changers” that will strengthen the economy for decades to come.

READ THE ENTIRE COLUMN BY CLICKING HERE.....

VIDEO: James Carville and Stan Greenberg On How Democrats Can Win Back The House

 

 

 

In their latest installment of The Carville-Greenberg Memo, the dynamic political duo talk about how the Democrats can retake the House of Representatives. They were right on target in the last election. This is an interesting few minutes.

The Battle For The United States Senate In 2014

 

 

 

Lighter shades of blue and red indicate open seats

The Republicans feel that 2014 is there year to pick up control of the United States Senate. Not only are 21 of the seats up are currently held by Democratic but there has been a number of Democratic retirements in difficult states. Distinguished and liberal Senators like Jay Rockefeller (WVA), Carl Levin (MI), Tim Johnson (SD) and Tom Harkin (IA) have hung up their spurs.

Republicans have only two retiring Senators in Saxby Chambliss (GA) and Mike Johanns (NB)

Adding to the Democrats uphill battle to maintain control are Democratic Senators who are running for re-election in traditional strong red states such as Louisiana, Arkansas. Alaska, North Carolina and Montana.

If you look at how bad President Obama lost in Republican states, you understand the difficulty of keeping them in the 'red column' for the U.S. Senate. Here is by how much our President lost each of those states:

Alaska (Begich): -14%

Arkansas (Pryor): -24%

Louisiana (Landrieu): -17%

Montana (Baucus): -13%

North Carolina(Hagan): -2%

South Dakota(Open): -18%

West Virginia (Open): -27%

Democrats do have some hope if they find good candidates in Senate seats held by Republicans in South Carolina (Graham), Kentucky (Mitch McConnell) and Georgia (Open).

Plus the selection of some very poor candidates in such places as Georgia, Iowa and South Dakota should be helpful to the Dems.

Three Democratic Senators With Simply No Excuse Not Being For Marriage Equality

 

 

Over the last week, the number of Democratic Senators coming out for marriage equality was massive. Senators McCaskill (MO), Tester (MT), Warner (VA) and Hagan (NC) gave us their powerful endorsements. Hagan's endorsement was particularly special since she is a tough race for re-election in North Carolina in the next mid-terms.

This leaves nine Democratic Senators who have not come out for marriage equality and a few of them hanging tough against it.

Six of those nine are in tough states but nevertheless it does not exempt them from taking a stand for full equality and freedom. Strongest against marriage equality are Joe Manchin (WVA), Mark Pryor (AR) and Joe Donnelly (IN). No one should expect these Blue Dog Democrats to move in the near future.

Tim Johnson (SD) is retiring Heidi Heitkamp (ND) is silent. Mary Landrieu (LA) is up for re-election in 2014 and most likely will be with us within a year or two.

However there are three Senators who shockingly have absolutely no excuse politically or personally for not representing their constituencies and supporting marriage equality. It is beyond comprehension why these three Senator are not for marriage equality.

1. Senator Bob Casey (PA):

  Say what? Pennsylvania loves Bob Casey and he has a huge number of LGBT citizens in his state. President Obama endorsed marriage equality and won with a sizable majority. Why in the world is Senator Casey not for full equality and freedom for LGBT Americans?

2. Senator Tom Carper (DE):

The First State Senator not being out for marriage equality is baffling. The citizens of Delaware are a prime target to pass legislation making it legal and overwhelming approve of full equality in the polls. The Governor of the state has endorsed it. What is keeping him silent?

3. Senator Bill Nelson (FL):

Really, Senator Nelson, Really? You state has massive numbers of LGBT citizens who need you to represent them and their quest for full equality and freedom. For the first time a majority of voters in the Sunshine State support the concept and a powerful 75% support some sort of legal recognition of LGBT couples.  Senator Nelson has six years until the next election and now is the time for him to do what is right.

Maybe these Senators are sitting tight hoping the Supreme Court will do their work. However, their endorsements would greatly add to the momentum. If they fail to show the same kind of powerful courage of Senator Kay Hagan of North Carolina, then they should be totally ashamed of their lack of guts.

On Sequester.....Not One Cent In Pay For Congress!

 

 

 

"What won't happen is that Congress stops getting paid, their staffs are laid off and the perks are done away with immediately.  In fact, they didn't even work this weekend to find a solution. Stop the pay, the perks and their staff and we will have a solution very, very soon. "

There is a sense that the implementation of sequester is turning out not to be a big deal. In fact, several of my friends have indicated maybe it is a good action to cut back on our debt. The newspapers have been warning of dire circumstances leading up to the deadline. Just two days after the deadline passes the media on one morning show featured the sink hole in Florida over sequester.

Don't be fooled. This is very serious business.

Sequester, in the long term, will dramatically affect our economy and economic growth. Thousands of Americans will lose their jobs. Our national security will be at risk because of across the board cuts instead of strategic cuts. Programs like Head Start, our National Parks, environmental protection, ADAPT for people with HIV/AIDS, etc will be devastated.

What won't happen is that Congress stops getting paid, their staffs are laid off and the perks are done away with immediately.  In fact, they didn't even work this weekend to find a solution. Stop the pay, the perks and their staff and we will have a solution very, very soon.

What won't happen with sequester is economic justice.

The middle class and poor will be punished and the oil companies will still receive their massive depletion allowances , loop holes will enable major corporations to pay no taxes and off shore accounts will enable them hide money to avoid taxes. Just ask Mitt Romney and he can explain how it works for the rich.

The concept that we can't build a just and fair tax system in America is just outrageous. The Republicans in the House of Representatives would rather shut down America then require those who are cheating the system to pay their fair share. No discussion is allowed about creating a system of fairness. Just shut government down and refuse to move an inch.

This economic stalemate will hurt average Americans but not the big guns. This Sequester is dangerous and damaging just as we are making an economic comeback. Those who don't believe in science, basic economics and that the world is square want us to believe this is all for the good of the country.

Don't you dare buy into it.

Editorial Cartoon of the Week: State of the Union

 

 

Robert Shrum: President Obama Must Fight One More Campaign

 

 

 

The President seems liberated knowing he will not have to seek one more term. Never again does the President have to seek re-election. However commentator and author Robert Shrum makes the case in his Daily Beast column that the President must run one more election in 2014. He feels it is essential for the President to keep the Senate and win back the House in order to become of the greatest President's in history.

Here is an excerpt from Shrum's column:

But what can and should Barack Obama do to secure his landmark objectives and assure that his final two years aren’t a token presidency in the domestic arena? He will have to invoke the full persuasive power of the bully pulpit—and sustain the full firepower of his vaunted political organization in 2014. In effect, he will have to run all out for a third term in the midterms.

Precedent is nearly uniformly against him, although JFK in the wake of the Cuban missile crisis saw Democrats gain four seats in the Senate—gaining nearly a two-thirds majority—while losing only four of their massive majority in the House. Similarly, under less fortunate circumstances, Bill Clinton’s party actually picked up five House seats in 1998. Democrats might have taken control then, if the president had had his way despite skittish party strategists, and advanced a decisive argument sooner than in the last two weeks: why are Republicans so obsessed with impeachment when the country wants Washington to focus on Social Security, education, the environment, and Medicare? I helped make the ads; it was too late for a sea change, but late enough to break the midterm jinx.

To confound the conventional, almost ominous predictions about 2014, Obama will have to articulate and amplify the narrative of his campaign last year. He will have to argue not intermittently but consistently that it’s time to do the country’s business and fulfill the voters’ mandate. He will have to say to them: You elected a president who’s on your side. Now will you elect a Congress on your side so we can move America forward? And he will have to be as totally engaged as he was in 2012.

He may have to explain why Republicans are responsible for a sluggish economic recovery. He will have to demand economic fairness. And if it doesn’t happen, he will have to insist day after day on real immigration reform. He will have to stand against the war on women. He can—and must—bring Hispanics, African-Americans, women, young people, and gays to the midterm polls in unexpected and unprecedented numbers. The changing contours of the American electorate shaped his triumph last fall. They are a demographic reality—but in November, the president and his state-of-the-art, ahead-of-the-arc campaign made certain that demography was destiny.

And that’s the heart of a second imperative. Yes, from the bully pulpit, Obama can provide air cover; he can even appeal to national-security voters by holding the GOP accountable for the indiscriminate slashing of the defense budget. But something more will be required. On the ground, Obama for America, now renamed Organizing for America, will have to wage a nonstop battle to reach and mobilize the sometime voters who can make the difference if they just turn out. If you receive the OFA emails, you are looking at the early signs of just such an effort.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and campaign chair Steve Israel have identified the districts where Democrats can capture the 17 seats that will give them a majority. I was at a meeting last week where they made a convincing case that this was more than possible. Pelosi, the most effective speaker in memory, is now the most tireless campaigner and fundraiser. She did more than 600 events in the last two years—and will do 600 more in the midterm season. But she and the members of her party—in House contests and in vulnerable and winnable Senate seats, too—absolutely need the full weight of the Obama enterprise: social media, granular voter contact, and tailored messages that push and follow potential supporters all the way to the ballot box. Democrats also need a relentless, OFA-led movement to combat suppression and persuade voters to wait in long lines if they have to.

Finally, money matters—even if it couldn’t buy Mitt Romney and Karl Rove a win because they were so plainly out of touch and out of the mainstream. The president’s already agreed to 14 fundraising events for House and Senate Democrats this year—“an aggressive schedule,” according to one party official. There will be more such events. But there should be—and I think will be—a more intense offensive on a wider front. OFA should launch and fund a super PAC targeted on the most promising and perilous races—and designed as well to replace Republican governors and legislators in states like Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

No past president has ever pulled off something with the scope and impact of what I’m suggesting here. But Obama has already written singular chapters in American politics. In 2014, for the sake of his vision, his legacy, and the land he has twice been elected to lead, he may—and probably will—have to upend the settled order of things one more time.

He called last year his last campaign. He has another one in him. And that may decide whether his last two years, and even these two, are truly consequential and not just a case of counting down the days.

You can read the entire column by clicking here.....

One More LGBT American Running For Congress; This Time In Massachusetts!

 

 

Wasting no time in letting voters know his intentions, Massachusetts State Representative Carl Sciortino (D) has announced that he will seek a seat in Congress. The young lawmaker is openly gay and has been in the Massachusetts' legislature since 2004 when he was elected at age twenty-five.

Sciortino will seek Congressman Ed Markey's congressional seat if Markey is elected to replace Secretary of State John Kerry in the United States Senate. Markey at this stage is expected to win the seat in a special election.

In the legislature Sciortino worked hard for marriage equality, transgender rights and economic equality. He is considered a strong candidate for the seat.