General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Hey all you political realists out there! [View all]wyldwolf
(43,867 posts)Last edited Sat Nov 15, 2014, 12:15 PM - Edit history (1)
I know plenty of LGBT people who are one issue advocates. They shop at Wal Mart. They enjoy tax breaks. I know even MORE African Americans like that. But there's always some 'more progressive than thou' type telling them they're doing it wrong.
Political pragmatists knew that, until very recently, gay marriage was a losing issue. The 2004 presidential election was lost, in part, because republicans put anti-gay marriage amendments on the ballots in some states and baited people to show up at the polls. Who won that skirmish? It certainly wasn't the ones demanding all or nothing. Calling for civil unions is a middle ground the polling had strongly suggested was much more palatable to the electorate at that time and, frankly, that would have been better than nothing.
Likewise with healthcare. The votes for single payer aren't there. Never have been. The votes for the ACA were only barely there yet is is far better than what was there before - at least to the millions who are now insured and weren't before.
You can hope and wish all you want but people who share our believes across the board aren't in power. And we can point to polls showing how Americans are progressive on issues until the cows come home but if they don't vote that way, it doesn't mean shit.
So go ahead with your fist pumping and ranting and 'all or nothing' shtick. It will get you what it has always gotten you. Jack shit.