Saturday, June 2, 2012

Consider The Following

Consider that while Obama has told the Eric Holder, Attorney General of the US, and the Department of Justice not to defend the appeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), he hasn't actively supported in repeal in Congress, and in fact hasn't even asked Congress to introduce the bill on his behalf.

Why is that?

President Obama recently announced he's changed his mind on marriage equality. He said his view had "evolved" where he sees the values of the equality. Really? Or did he just evolve politically because many of his supporters and some of his big money backers either support marriage equality or are gay themselves?

Is that personal change or a reality check of the people writing the checks?

I have no doubt President Obama has nothing against gay people, but I suspect his personal view on marriage equality is different, meaning he has nothing against it, but he also has nothing for it. It's just a guess, but he has given all the appearances of it, that fundamentally he supports "traditional" marriage and marriage equality isn't about people but the law and human rights.

In the end, it's the same, does the end justify the means, meaning a President who doesn't care except for your vote in return for his political power? Why isn't he stepping up to support the repeal of DOMA than letting the courts decide the issue?

Was it a change of his political mind than his heart?

3 comments:

  1. I would think the obvious answer to the question is that there is zero chance of getting a repeal of DOMA through congress. And I only rate it as such because I can't give it something less than zero. Therefore, it would seem that it would be a waste of time.

    Add to that the fact that DOMA appears headed toward being declared unconstitutional, so not only is going to congress over DOMA a battle you cannot win, but it's also moot.

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  2. True, but President Obama has had ample time to express the need to repeal the Act, and he hasn't. He was asked about it during the 2008 election and he has doing nothing since. I don't see letting the courts decide for him shows the leadership expected of him on DOMA, but simply a political decision to support its repeal short of action.

    It's easy to assume he was smart enough to realize DOMA would be struck down by the courts and maybe the Supreme Court, but why be silent all this time?

    And he affirmed the recognition and rights for the families of gay/lesbian federal employees on some issues but knew it they're exempted from parts of DOMA. It was a political no-brainer he could have easily done far earlier but didn't.

    Somehow I see him more afraid of the backlash on the issue from the right than standing up for lgbt people, and only did now because of the big money people funding his campaign pushed him to say something. Or so it appeared to me.

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  3. Well, I'd agree that in general it seems he's afraid of the opposition on all issues. As far as I can tell, he likes to talk tough but is unwilling to fight for anything. Sad, but on the other hand you're not going to get something better for the foreseeable future. Especially with Republicans set to take over the Senate.

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