A friend, in need, is a friend indeed

[MNBrewer]

When we need them, are the Democrats our friends? Do they Fiercely Advocate for us? or are we a pawn in their 3-D chess game? To what extent do we matter to the Democratic Party?

[William769]

1. I would say a lot of Democrats need us, support us and will advocate for us.

But of course there are a few in high places that just use us for politics when it's in their best interest (andsometimes, even when it's not).

[Atman]

2. Or, as the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers put it...

A friend with weed is a friend indeed.
A friend in need is a pest. Get rid of him.

I'm not sure how it's relevant, but it is so rare that one gets to use that quote.

[mitchtv]

3. We matter to them

Somewhere between "not in the slightest", and " how much can you afford this month?"

[wandy]

4. I would say; look to Michigan, look to Wisconsin, Look to Florida......

Nope, youre right. Democrats are not allways their when we need them.
Let's look to where Republicans controll all branches of government.
Just a few good things like limiting unions.
Appointing city managers. Never mind of the popular vote; just put one of yours in charge.
And if you havent noticed republicans all hoold a similar plan to fix the economy.

The Contract On America.

1. Repeal Obamacare..
2. Cut federal spending 25% immediately.
3. Pass a balanced budget amendment preventing government from spending more than it takes in.
4. Pass a National right to work law.
5. Eliminate the minimum wage allowing free capitalism to set incomes.
6. End federal bailouts for Wall Street and pension plans.
7. Privatize Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Sallie Mae.
8. Make the Bush tax cuts permanent.
9. Cut the corporate tax rate to 9% or less.
10. Allow money earned overseas by US companies to be brought back into the US at a 0% tax rate.
11. Eliminate the capital gains tax.
12. Repeal the death tax, sometimes called the estate tax, which penalizes family-owned companies.
13. Cap income taxes at 20%.
14. Safeguard Medicare using a fixed amount voucher system to keep up with increasing costs.
15. Insure the future of Social Security by allowing personal investments in various funds.

Or would you prefer 999.

What a wonderful world it would be.

[MNBrewer]

5. Democratic Party's shell game on LGBT rights

http://gay.americablog.com/2012/04/criticism-mounts-over-obamas-punt-on.html

"It is unclear why Mr. Obama declined to do the right thing here. He has taken actions against discrimination, like repealing the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy against openly gay service members. And he has voiced opposition to proposed state constitutional amendments in North Carolina and Minnesota to bar same-sex marriage. His hesitation to ban gay bias by government contractors, like his continued failure to actually endorse the freedom to marry, feels like a cynical hedge. It’s hard to see the political sense in it, and it is certainly unhelpful to the cause of full gay equality under the law."

[mitchtv]

6. we can expect nothing`

If he wins, we'll make some progress, if not, Then things stay the same. Luckily the Dems in Calif are mostly ok. Unfortunately my local state senator is not one of them

[MNBrewer]

7. One might get the idea

that the Democratic Party has a vested interest in keeping full equality JUST out of reach.

[Iggo]

11. "All in good time" is what I'm hearing.

[MNBrewer]

19. I've heard that somewhere before

[wandy]

9. How many roads must a man walk down before they call him a man.....

How many battles can Obama fight at one time!
How many sick children can now be insured. And that is at risk!
How would it be to live in a third world country with a D credit rating. And that fight starts again!
How long can Obama hold of the fugging Neocons that want to "bomb, bomb, bomb bomb Iran". Starting WW3 in the process!
How long before repugs repeal child labor laws! 11 year old janitors on the moon.
How long in an under employed economy before there is no minimum wage. Foxconn for all!
How long before women are treated like chattel. Back to the days when women had tails.

Listen.
I have to confess something here.
I’m straight.

So, St.santorum is out of the picture. LGBT people are not likely to be burned at the stake.
What do you think the chances of LGBT getting a fair shake under Romney the BlueBlood!
If you can’t guess, I’ll will tell you.
Zero, Zip Nada!
MY orientation be dammed. It is WRONG for it to be that way.
It is WRONG for it to be that way.

You have problems with Obama? I guess in some areas so do I.
You would rather Michelle and Marcus Bachmann?

All in good time.
Once we solve the problem that the only objective the Fu**ing teabag butt holes are interested in is making the Ni***** a one term president.

Then we can move forward.

[mitchtv]

13. No thanks

I'll have my equality now. anyone who tells me "all in good time", deserves my full contempt.

[wandy]

14. Have what you have. Do what you will....

Support the likes of santorum, or romney.
Their agenda. They will never give up.
"all in good time"..................

[Creideiki]

28. So says the Voice of Privilege (TM) /nt

[TriMera]

15. Wow, I usually have to go out into DU proper

to get told to stfu and wait my turn! Are we getting home delivery, now?

[mitchtv]

16. privilege has its privileges

[TriMera]

17. Yes, yes it does. n/t

[William769]

18. Take this for whats it worth.

You will treat all members in the LGBT group with respect. If you see something in this group you don't like fine but take it someplace else.

The LGBT group members have issues with President Obama even with some of the good he's done. Until he gives 100% to the LGBT community for equality and stops playing politics with our rights we will continue to voice our dissent.

This is not negotiable.

Have a nice day.

Co-Host LGBT Group
William769

[wandy]

21. Yo, I didn't mean to offend anyone. I did try to point out that....

We are fighting on many fronts here.
Obama has not delivered on all of his promises. My personal 'pet peeve' would be Guantanamo.
Just not how I was raised.
Be Obama what he is, or isn't, I really don't like the noise comming from the other side.
You's may not be my battle.
That doesn't mean I won't satand with you.

[unapatriciated]

27. but this is our battle...

equality is everyone's battle. It may not affect us directly but it does affect a daughter, son, brother, sister, father, mother, aunt, or uncle. How can I enjoy a right that my daughter is denied. Her pain is my pain.

So yes it is our battle too. I will not just stand up for equal rights, I will join in the fight.

[Iggo]

10. "The other guys are worse" is not a very good answer.

[wandy]

12. Sorry guy. I know 'the other guys are worse' is not a good answer.....

But. The other guys ARE worse........
It's not that we couldn't be doing better. It's just what the other guys might, no will, do that worries me.
Look at append for more explanation...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1137&pid=9537
It's not now how I wish it would be.
It's what I don't want it to be.

[MNBrewer]

20. Think we could get 40 Democratic Senators to filibuster any anti-gay legislation under Pres Romney?

I doubt it. I bet we might even muster up 5-8 votes in favor.

[wandy]

24. I think this is what I was trying to say....

I didn't mean to offend anyone.

Sure didn't figure on getting the whole world rideing right down on me.

[Zorra]

29. Good. So now you have a tiny inkling of how it feels.

Now, try hard to magnify that feeling by about a million times.

Do you feel it?

If it doesn't make your head explode, you may get a hint of an idea of where we are coming from and how we feel.

Because we've had the world riding right down on us for ages, and we want it to stop.

Yesterday.

Can you now understand why so many of us are way past done with being told to wait, by people that already have equal rights?

[The Philosopher]

22. This is offensive

To say we're going to support Republican platforms by voting for Republicans, simply because LGBTers notice they're not being supported properly by Democrats or Democratic candidates is not only a fallacy but a malicious assertion and the question can only be: for what purpose? To defend the President simply, as many in GD do? Or to attack the LGBT community? To attack DU's LGBT community? Or maybe the maliciousness is complex, maybe it's more than one of those. But regardless, it is malicious, and it is offensive and insulting.

We are LGBT and we are Democrats. That is enough credentials for anyone on this board. It should be automatically assumed we support a Democratic President, who right now happens to be Barack Obama. We have and will support him in a variety of ways, in any way we can. When he is elected for a second term (and he will be), the LGBT community will have had a helping hand. This is to be assumed before every conversation addressed to us, otherwise you're saying we are not Democrats and therefore not a part of the Democratic community.

Perhaps like a clumsy child knocking over this or that as s/he walks, others don't realize what their statements do. But we're the receivers of those statements and we can quite tell what they are. I suggest you take what we say about it on good faith and start being more considerate. It doesn't take much effort to be a decent person to another human being. But it does take effort to vilify and attack.

[wandy]

23. My apologies. I meant no offense to anyone. I am so dedicated to preventing another.....

republican administration that sometimes I may loose sight that I may offend others.
Like Obama or not, I don't see another choice.
Attacking LGBT would serve no purpose.
For what it's worth, that would go against my convictions.
Any unwarranted attack would go against my convictions.

And no, I won't take the cowards way out and delete the post.
If I said something offensive, then tell me about it.
It's a big world. Even good intentions can be taken the wrong way.

Again, I meant no offense.

[The Philosopher]

25. I did tell you about it

And you're still doing it. You're still insinuating you're having to fight the LGBT community on this board on President Obama's behalf in order to elect him into office. You're still accusing us of wanting a Republican in office. Your apologies smack of a seedy grin and a shrug. All you're saying is, "I am sorry if YOU find what I said offensive..." and that is no apology at all. You intend no apology, it seems. You're using it as a medium for attack.

[wandy]

26. Point taken.

[Call Me Wesley]

31. Good. That's always the first step to learn. (nt)

[ZombieHorde]

8. I support you. nt

[Fearless]

30. I'd say we remain a part of their balancing act...

Promise enough to us to keep us voting but act on little enough of that not to piss of the southern democrats or the "centrists".