the gay vote

[Tallit]

I find myself agreeing with some of the views:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39821451/ns/politics-decision_2010/
With all the analysis of Tea Partiers, the female vote, the hispanic vote etc it's nice to see a piece analysing the GLBT vote.

[BenL]

The "rugged individualistic" culture of the U.S. has a strong influence on our politics. It's easy for voters to latch on to one or two issues that become iconic for them. The danger is that the system grinds to a halt while we bicker with each other over what government should do next. The casualties become the systemic reforms like health care and the state of the economy, which ironically the general public lists as major issues. Gridlock is inevitable when the country is split almost 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and progressives.

Like many of us here, I keep a weather eye on LGBT issues. They're important to me. But I'm also concerned, because of my work, with elder care issues and human services in general. We can argue over which issues or which reforms should come first, but the one thing we should NOT do is stay home from the polls because we're pissed. We all neeed to engage in the political process, no matter how frustrating we find it or how angry we are. Staying home is tantamount to handing the country over to the extremists, who can unseat governments while we're not paying attention.

Please get informed, get involved and VOTE Nov. 2nd.

[antiochian]

My problem is I don't agree completely with either party, so feel I'm getting screwed (to a greater or lesser extent) no matter how I vote. I hate the 2 party system, and would like to see "lesser" political parties such as the Reform Party, Constitution Party, etc., have more pull. In '04, I voted for a third party presidential candidate out of principle.

I think it's a safe bet that many if not most Americans are single issue voters or at least vote based on a select few issues... For example, Evangelicals are more likely to vote Republican because Republicans overall represent "Christian values." Which means no to gays and abortion, yes to faith-based this and that. For them, the economy plays second fiddle to whether Henry and Bill are allowed a civil marriage. Some people vote Democrat because their father did, and grandfather before him... Some guys (and gals?) probably voted for McCain/Palin because they thought Palin was hot. And for all of the above, that's their right.

I'm not politically savvy, and I am one who chooses candidates based on a few issues, my personal liberties as a gay man being one of them. Another being having strong worker's unions (I belong to one). The fine details of politics bores me, and I don't spend a lot of time dwelling on the subject--I'd sooner debate religion. :)