I have to admit...I am struggling. The current political climate is causing some soul-searching....

[FedUp_Queer]

16. I feel the same way...

about voting for Obama (or being a Democrat). How can I identify with a party who has a president who refuses to hold people accountable for war crimes (the Bush cabal); how can I identify with a party whose leader reserves the right to assassinate American Citizens without a trial, without charge and with no due process; how can I identify with a party whose leader has proposed slashing the community services block grant by 50%. I've come to a conclusion myself. I won't support a party or president who does so. I will support candidates who do not. In all seriousness, I understand. As a gay Catholic, how can I identify with a Church who is so awful on LGBT issues? I'm torn because that same Church is also the largest provider of services to HIV+ and AIDS patients in New York City. This is the same Church (my parish) that paid my rent when I was out of a job. This is the same Church where I've met wonderful activists fighting for the poor and outcast. I guess the point is there are no organizations that are all good or that don't have skeletons in their closet. There are certain positions, however, which seem to be the "last straws." For me, it was the abuse scandal in the Church. I will go to Mass; I will attend Mass; I will worship. I will not give money to anything but my Parish (nothing for the Cardinal's Appeal); on matters of faith or morals, the Bishops have nothing to say to me. In other words, I'm a Catholic because of what I believe, not because I want to identify with the label. Similarly, I will not vote for Obama; I will not give him money; I will not give him time. I will, however, support local Democrats; I will continue to believe in the tenets of what I thought a Democrat was (and is). In short, I am a Democrat because I believe in a progressive income tax; I believe that the rich should pay the most; I believe in health care as a right; I believe that our spending priorities should focus on money for roads and bridges, on education, on making sure people have food, a place to stay and other necessities; I believe in pursuing peace and forsaking war; I believe in human rights.