Just Answer The Question

This weekend was a tremendous show of support for Gay Rights. The National Equality March and rally in Washington, DC was very inspiring.

However, on Sunday morning I watched CNN's State of the Union with John King. I watched in awe as two US Senators, both Democrats, Senator Debbie Stubenow, Michigan, and Senator Bob Casey, Pennsylvania, could not answer a simple question put to them by John King, "Would you vote to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which state marriage is between one man and one woman. Neither Senator could answer the question! Watch:

I guess neither Senator can take a stand because they don't want to ruin their chance of re-election! Such politics!

Reason # 11 (Why I Cannot Vote For Chris Christie)

Reason number 11 why I cannot vote for Chris Christie in the race for Governor of NJ: He opposes Marriage Equality for the LGBT Community and will do everything in his power to stop it! Christie said he will do all he can to block the state from allowing gay marriage, possibly even pushing to amend the state constitution. Christie believes marriage equality for Gays and Lesbians should be put to the voters for approval or disapproval. (Wonder if Christie believes the US should have put to a vote a woman's right to vote, or a black person's right to vote, or whether or not we allowed slavery to continue?).

Jon Corzine on the other hand, has acknowledged that Civil Unions in NJ have not gone far enough and that couples, regardless of their sex, should be treated equally as determined by our courts. Corzine has vowed to push for marriage equality in the next year if reelected.

Chris Christie has drawn the line in the sand for the LGBT Community! Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgendered in NJ need to support Jon Corzine! And if by some chance Christie is elected, I am confident the People of NJ will not support a ban on gay marriage. I'm not afraid of that fight, but I hope it doesn't come down to it!

Ten Reasons I Cannot Vote For Christie

After reading Chris Christie's proposals if elected Governor, here are the reasons why I cannot vote for Christie:

1. I will run our state government like a business. Heard that one before, time and time again. Heard it throughout much of the past 8 years!

2. I will save taxpayer dollars and end political cronyism by eliminating political patronage jobs. Right! Christie's patrons will replace the political cronies now in state government.

3. I will lower overtime costs by reducing the number of state holidays and eliminating those not recognized as federal holidays. State employees have a contract and any change needs to be negotiated.

4. I will increase efficiency and lower costs by changing to a single, unitary approach to state public employee compensation, benefits, and work rules – ending the separate statutes governing health benefits, antiquated civil service rules, and the collective bargaining agreements. Ok. Again, let's mess with State employees!

5. I will increase fairness and reduce costs by bringing the compensation and benefits for the New Jersey Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) back in line with employees who have defined contribution plans (such as federal government employees) by closing defined benefit plans for new employees, and replacing them with defined contribution plans.

6. I will eliminate pension and health benefits for all part-time employees and political appointees. Only full-time employees should qualify for a public pension. Part time employees are important to the function of state government and they should get some pension for their work.

7. I will require all new state hires and state employee retirees to contribute to their health insurance costs. WE already do to the surprise and misunderstanding of many!

8. I will devote more resources to assist parents and educators attempting to start new charter schools by utilizing my revamped Department of Education (DOE) to encourage and nurture those seeking to start a charter school. Good use of taxpayers money! Use it for Private schools instead of bettering Public Schools.

9. Christie will take away state mandates on health insurance companies to allow "bare-bones" policies that could limit coverage. This despite what he says.

10. Christie is about 150 pounds overweight! Can't take care of yourself, how can you take care of the State!

I don't know about all State employees, but I take pride in doing a good job providing care for the Developmentally Disabled of our state. Don't fix the state's financial woes on my back!

You Go, Barney!

It's about time Democrats start defending their position on Healh Care Reform and tell it like it is about these opponen

The Church That Preys...

Article in the New York Times about ministries that preach God-to-riches philosophy. Specifically mentioned is the ministry of Gloria and Kenneth Copeland. These “prosperity gospel” preachers delighted the crowd with anecdotes about the luxurious lives they had attained by following the Word of God. The message of this ministry and others like it, simply put, if you have sufficient faith in God, and donate generously, God will multiply your offerings a hundredfold — is reassuring to many in hard times. Guess these preachers do not know too much about Jesus Christ, do they?

Jesus had nothing! He gave up everything he had to live a life of committment and helping others. Jesus did not show people how to become rich. Jesus led the life of a pauper for the sake of others. He did not ask God, His Father, for riches and kingdoms. If you believe what Jesus said, "...If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." ( Matthew 19:20), then Jesus preached just the opposite of the Copelands and those like them!

Shame on you, Gloria and Kenneth Copeland!

A Day In The Life of a Middle Class Republican

I do not take credit for this. My work buddy, RM, gave me this story about A Day in the Life of Joe-A Middle Class Republican. I will not go through the entire story, but it goes something like this:

Joe gets up at 6:00AM to prepare his morning coffee. He fills his pot full of good clean water because some stupid liberal fought for minimum water quality standards. He takes his daily medication with his first swallow of coffee. His medications are safe to take because some dumb liberals fought to ensure their safety and that they work as advertised.

All but $10.00 of his medications are paid for by his employer's medical plan because some thick-headed liberal union workers fought the employer for paid medical insurance.

Joe gets ready for work, and steps outside. The air he breathes is clean because some tree-hugging liberal fought for laws to stop industries from polluting our air.

Joe begins his work day. He has a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation because some filthy union members fought and died for these working standards, along with an 8 hour work day and Child Labor Laws).

Joe is home from work and visits his elderly father later that evening. He arrives at his boyhood home, financed by Farmers Home Administration because bankers did not want to make rural loans. The house did not have electricity until some big government liberal stuck his nose where it didn't belong and demanded rural electrification. Joe is happy his dad is retired now. His dad lives on Social Security and his union pension because some liberal made sure he could take care of himself so Joe wouldn't have to.

Joe leaves his father and turns on talk radio. The show's host keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives good. The host doesn't tell Joe that his beloved Republicans have fought against every protection and benefit Joe enjoys throughout the day. Joe agrees: "We don't need those big government liberals ruining our lives. After all, I'm a self-made man who believes everyone should take care of himself, just like I have."

THINK ABOUT IT, JOE!

AARP Tries To Set The Record Straight

A friend of mine (Thank you, Mommanator) recently sent me an e-mail from AARP trying to break some of the myths about Health Care Reform as it relates to Seniors. Here's some clarification from AARP:


1. Your choice of doctor and hospital is protected under all three major bills under discussion.

2. Drugmakers will voluntarily cut in half the cost of name-brand drugs provided for those who fall into the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole" or coverage gap.

3. Both the Senate Finance Committee and House "Tri-Committee" plans eliminate Medicare copayments and deductibles you currently pay for preventive care services, such as cancer screenings.

4. Current versions of health reform legislation require your health insurer to pay you back if they spend less than 85 percent of premium dollars on the care of patients -- in other words, if their overhead and profit costs exceed 15 percent.

The AARP goes on to state, "When opponents of health reform talk about Medicare "cuts," here's what they point to: Provisions now before Congress currently would reduce taxpayer-financed subsidies paid to some private insurance companies to provide care under the Medicare name. (Here's a Families USA study on these plans.) These plans currently get paid extra to provide the same care as traditional Medicare provides. That's a fact that health-reform opponents never mention."

Maybe Not What We Expected

So nobody miscontrues my meaning here, let me start off by stating that I still support President Obama completely! I trust him completely! I favor what he has done thus far. Howerver, the latest edition of The Advocate contains an interesting article about Barack Obama, the candidate, and his promises to the LGBT community, compared to President Barack Obama's actions thus far on those promises. I admit President Obama has failed thus far!

On the main issues facing the LGBT community in reference to the federal government here is the scorecard:

1. Federal hate-crimes legislation: Candidate Obama pushed this. President Obama has promised to sign the current bill....A+;
2. Employment Non-Discrimination Act: Candidate Obama wanted gender identity to be included in any non-discrimination law. President Obama has not clearly been lobbying for the bill....B;
3. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell": Candidate Obama said he would repeal this. President Obama has resisted lifting DADT by executive order. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has been given the task of reviewing DADT, but President Obama has not done much....C-;
4. Defense of Marriage Act: Candidate Obama stated he wanted to do away with DOMA and that LGBT individuals should be provided the same benefits as hetero-couples. President Obama has only mentioned a DOMA repeal while signing his memorandum granting same-sex federal employees benefits. President Obama has done little to lobby for the repeal of DOMA, and a Justice Department brief filed in June indicates the President will support DOMA until Congress takes legislative action to repeal DOMA.....F.

It's about time President Obama do more for the LGBT community that supported him! It's very disappointing thus far!

Two More Victories For Obama!

Two more victories for Obama! The Senate today confirmed Judge Sonia Sotomayor as US Supreme Court Justice. The Senate debates more money for Cash For Clunkers; it looks like it will get the funding needed to continue!

Next: UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE FOR ALL!

Olbermann Exposes Critics of Health Care Reform

Keith Olbermann slammed and exposed the critics of Universal Health Care, Republicans and Dems alike! It was great! Give it a look-see.

Give Us A Break, Dr. Orly Taitz

Here's the leader of the "Obama's Not An American" campaign, Dr. Orly Taitz. Despite all the evidence that Barack Obama was born in the US and is fully qualified to be US President, Dr. Taitz continues to insist Obama is not! Clarence Page gives us some of the arguements to the contrary. Give us a break Dr. Taitz! There's alot more important things to be concerned about!

Isn't It Time To Legalize Pot....And Prostitution?

Activists in California are launching a campaign to have the issue of legalizing marijuana put on the 2010 ballot. The proposal, if passed, would allow people 21 and over to possess up to an ounce of the drug and also would allow property owners to grow a certain amount of pot. One big positive would be taxing it as a way of generating needed revenues for the cash-strapped state. I say it's about time! Every State in the Union will hopefully follow suit.

I am in no way condoning the misuse of drugs! Pot is no different than alcohol that is served in every State. Some would argue it might even have less ill effects on society than alcohol does. If legalized, pot would be controlled by the State just like alcohol. It would be taxed and the revenues would be tremendous. If you drive while intoxicated by pot, just like a DUI, you'll pay the price!

And while we're on the subject, prostitution is something that also needs to be legalized! I'm not suggesting it be legal everywhere, but there should be certain areas, Atlantic City for example, where prostitutes could legally carry out their business. It too would be controlled. The "girls" would need a "license" for which they would have to be disease checked. If the prostitutes do not have a "license" they are busted!

With both these issues, just think of all the money that could be generated. Also, think of all the money that would no longer be wasted. How much money is wasted having cops make silly little arrests for both pot and prostitution? In the case of prostitutes, they are arrested today and back out on the streets tomorrow! This is a business that has been in existance since the beginning of time, so why try to stop it! Control and regulate it! (OOOPPPPSSSS....That's a bad thing to say to any Republican)!

So Much To Think About

My last post here was July 4th! WOW! I can't believe I've been on "vacation" for so long. Guess I've been doing most of my venting/thinking on http://www.facebook.com/home.php. Believe me, there has been so much on my mind the past 4 weeks, but I just have not felt like writing it all down.

The healthcare battle in the US has been something I have thought often about. My confusion lies in "what is the problem with getting healthcare to all our people?" The US has so much money that it wastes elsewhere in the world, why oh why can't we just spend a small portion of it here! Why is it that the people who seem so opposed to any kind of Universal Healthcare (if that's what you want to call it) are those that have good health insurance? Why is it that those who oppose Universal Healthcare in the US are those that are so afraid it might cost them something?

The budget crisis of the US states has also been something I've thought about. NJ's budget is a mess, but PA's is even worse. The poor State employees in PA didn't even get a pay check yesterday! Can you imagine working your week or 2 weeks only to find out you get no money? Can you imagine having sent out that mortgage check a day or 2 before payday expecting the money to be in the bank by time the check gets to the mortgage company, only to find out there is no money in your bank account? NJ might be in bad shape, but we are not experiencing what some other states are going through. Which again makes me think (this thought was brought to me by a coworker, RM): why does the US send out so much foreign aid and not give some to its own people that need it?

The race for NJ Governor has been on my mind. I know Jon Corzine maybe hasn't been the most productive Governor, but the economy situation isn't his fault! He's been holding NJ together and believe me, I am totally afraid of Chris Christie! I saw this interesting commentary yesterday abut the race for NJ Governor: http://blog.nj.com/njv_paul_mulshine/2009/07/nj_race_for_governor_why_i_can.html

So even though I haven't been writing, there's been alot on my mind. I will try, try hard, to keep everything posted here. (Even though nobody reads it).

Happy Fourth! Let Freedom (Of Marriage) Ring

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

These are words contained in the Declaration of Independence signed on July 4, 1776. I find the words, "...the pursuit of happiness" of extreme importance when it comes to the efforts to attain the right to marry for same-sex couples. ALL men and women should be given their "certain unalienable rights" granted by "their Creator," including the right to marry whom they wish!

I'll never forget the words of Seth MacFarlane, the creator of several animated television shows, on Real Time With Bill Maher. I don't recall his exact words, but MacFarlane said something like this: Any group that has fought for its rights, has eventually gotten them. So why when it comes to the gay marriage, does there continue to be this fight against it. Gay marriage will eventually become reality. Instead of fighting it, embrace it, accept it, and move on. That has stuck in my mind ever since I hear MacFarlane say it.

We are slowly seeing gay marriage become a reality. There are six states now in which gay marriage is legal, and there will be more by year's end. NJ, which now has Civil Unions, I hope becomes one of the states that moves to full marriage rights for same-sex couples. (Am I getting married again? I have no idea! But if someone wants to, he/she should be allowed to). I've said it before, and I'll state it again: YOU DON'T HAVE TO AGREE WITH GAY MARRIAGE! YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIKE GAY MARRIAGE! BUT IT IS A RIGHT! ACCEPT THAT!

So HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! LET FREEDOM RING!

Great Time in NYC

Saw 2 really good shows while in NYC this past weekend, SHREK, THE MUSICAL and GOD OF CARNAGE. Two completely different shows, one a musical, the other a play. But both very entertaining and enjoyable.

Waited in line at The Times Square ticket window for half price tickets on Friday. Got tickets to see SHREK. The show is not just for kids. As a matter of fact, there's lots of inuendos that children would not get! The main theme is that people should be allowed to be who they are, no matter what. One of the biggest "hit" songs is Waive Your Freak Flags High. You see, the Lord of the land has banished all the Fairy Tales, Pinocchio, the Wolf, and the likes to Shrek's swamp, and Shrek wants his swamp back! The Big Bad Wolf, who ends up being a cross-dressing wolf (that's why he dressed in granny's clothes), is one such Fairy Tale that in the end let's his Freak Flag fly!

God of Carnage is a play about 2 couples trying to make amends for one of their sons hitting the others' son in the mouth with a stick during a playground altercation. The couples start off very congenial toward each other, then begin to argue not only with the other couple but each other. Of course the men would just as soon drink rum and smoke cigars!

The Gay Pride Parade was on Sunday in NYC. It starts at 52nd Street and 5th Ave. and proceeds through the heart of NYC. Thousands line the streets to celebrate PRIDE!

Hope In NJ Or A Political Move?

NJ Governor Jon Corzine has promised to bring gay marriage to NJ if reelected in November. Corzine says gay marriage is a “fundamental right” and has promised to back a gay marriage bill, after he's elected to a second term. Corzine has not always been a fan of same-sex marriage. In 2005 he held that marriage should be between a man and a woman, but he has since :evolved on the issue." Corzine's opponent, Chris Christie, has moved his position closer to the center, but believes civil unions are sufficient for same-sex couples.

One has to be wary that Corzine's move may just be a political maneuver, but one has to also hope that he truly believes in his position and will fight for the right of same-sex couples to have full rights in NJ. Corzine has said previously that has a "progressive record" in regards to NJ.

Going To The Fundraiser?

Next Thursday, June 25, 2009, there's a big Democratic National Committee fundraiser in Washington, DC for the LGBT Leadership Council. VP, Joe Biden will be there as the honored guest.

Seems like not all the LGBT leaders will be present. Many, angered over President Obama's lack of support, and more specifically the Department of Justice's legal brief against gay marriage filed last week in federal court, is keeping them away. The brief,which it compared gay unions to incestuous ones and that of an underage girl argued that states have the right to not recognize marriages that are legal in other states or countries. One such LGBT leader, David Mixner, former advisor to Bill Clinton big supporter of Obama, is boycotting the DNC's fundraiser. Also not attending will be Andy Towle and Alan Capelle, executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda and Foundation. David Arvosis, of Americanblog reports that"this rather ill-timed and inappropriate Democratic effort to milk money from our community at the same time Democrats are equating us with incest and not lifting a finger on any of our legislation priorities in Congress or the White House. It's not awfully clear why any gay person would give a Democrat a dime ever again.”

Will you be going to the Fundraiser?

It's PA's Turn; What's NJ Waiting For, Obama?

Pennsylvania State Sen. Daylin Leach (D-17th Dist.) introduced a bill last week to legalize same-sex marriage in our neighbor state. Although the bill faces tough opposition in the Republican-controlled Senate, at least someone had the courage to introduce the bill.

What's NJ waiting for, Obama's blessing? If so we can forget it!

Another Snub By Obama?

Gay rights groups are furious over President Obama's apparent support of DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act. DOMA is the federal law that states that no state (or other political subdivision within the United States) needs to treat a relationship between persons of the same sex as a marriage, even if the relationship is considered a marriage in another state, and the federal government may not treat same-sex relationships as marriages for any purpose, even if concluded or recognized by one of the states.

As a presidential candidate, Barack Obama claimed "we need to fully repeal the Defense of Marriage Act..." However, today the Department of Justice, the President's attorneys, submitted a brief to dismiss a law suit filed by two California men who are married but claim it is unconstitutional for their marriage not to be recognized by other states. Although it's true that the Justice Department is generally tasked with defending acts of Congress, DOMA being such an act, Obama could speak up!

Come on Obama! It's about time you stood up publically for gay rights!

UPDATE:

Today, California Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a brief in support of the federal lawsuit seeking to overturn Proposition 8 and restore marriage equality to California. In response, Equality California (EQCA) Executive Director Geoff Kors released the following statement.

“In stark contrast to President Obama's Justice Department filing a brief defending the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act, California's Attorney General Jerry Brown today filed a brief in support of a federal challenge to Proposition 8. Equality California is extremely appreciative of the Attorney General's continued leadership in opposition to Proposition 8 and in support of ending discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Californians. Governor Schwarzenegger is expected to file his brief soon. We urge him to take the same principled stance and tell the Court that Prop. 8 violates the Constitution.“The time has come for all elected leaders to follow Jerry Brown’s example and stand up for equality for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Equality California will continue our position of not endorsing or supporting any candidate for any level of public office who does not completely and unequivocally support total equality for our community.”

Interesting Observation From New York Magazine (June 15-22, 2009)

Obama is more conservative on gay rights than Dick Cheney now that the ex-VP has come out for same-sex marriage.

Last week, Cheney gave his support for gay marriage. Obama does not support gay marriage, but favors civil unions.

Interesting and disturbing fact!