| Nov. 5th, 2008 @ 10:38 pm Caustiously Optimistic |
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I'm still processing what happened last night, what happened on the eve of November 4th, 2008. We made history, in both directions.
We elected a Democratic house, Senate, and African-American President, yet Proposition 102-Arizona, ban on gay marriage; Proposition 8-California, ban on gay marriage; Initiative 1-Arkansas, ban on gay couples adopting; Florida Amendment 2, ban on gay marriage; and Nebraska, Initiative 424, which ends Affirmative action in that state, all passed, with more than 54% of the vote.
How did this happen? While President-Elect Obama made his fascinating, and beautiful speech "Yes we can," and John McCain was gracefully conceding; the radical right was slipping past the Liberal guards and making in-roads into my freedom to be LEGALLY bonded to my life-time partner. Legally, not morally. I'm not asking that a marriage to my partner be religiously sanctioned. I want the state to give me the same tax benefits that heterosexuals receive. I don't see how or where we can go wrong with that one. But we have.
So, Dear Obama, and the Senate, and the House, how will you stand up to the enormous task of winning back over the LGBT community? Obama made no great promises to people like me. He certainly did not pull a Clinton, and promise us equal rights. But I think He's got his hands full just dealing with supremists and inner city kids at the same time.
There's reform to be made in this country, and how can we expect something like legally sanctioned domestic partnership when half the population can't even read, or understand the legal writ of a bill, and just votes the way the Pastor/Reverand/Preacher tells them to. "Those god-less, woman-less, man-less freaks want to steal YOUR babies, and take your money by getting married." How would you vote? Put yourself in the shoes of the illiterate of this country.
But Mr. President-Elect Obama, you did promise education reform. If those people who can't read for themselves were taught how to read, then maybe they could make informed decisions and vote for themselves, instead of being sheep.
And we were promised Health care reform. Oh, that would be a wonderful thing. I wish you luck with the Pharmacutical Lobbyists, and the financial weight they carry in Congress.
I do see positive outcomes. Yes, I shed a tear or two last night during "Yes we can." It was because I was watching history, and feeling that for once, maybe our country will be lifted in the eyes of the world. Maybe some day in the near future, I'll be able to say that I am proud to be American, and mean it. I used to before High School.
I grew up during Watergate, and though they tried to explain it in High School, they still did not understand the ramifications then. I survived the Reagan Years, and nightmares of Nuclear Holocaust in my dreams. I watched in Horror during the first round of war in Iraq, while my brother was over there in a tank, shooting at god knows what, and coming home with a "syndrome", and nightmares of his own. I was radiant and hopeful, and full of joy for Bill Clinton and his promises, and then heartbroken when he sold us out ("don't ask don't tell").
Obama is the man that can and will lead America out of the dark ages into the light of the 21st Century and beyond. That is a powerful position to be in, and one that has the potential to corrupt. I don't think he'll follow the footsteps of Clinton, and get caught with his pants down, but there will be temptation. As long as he remembers who elected him, and what his job is in the Oval Office, I might be a believer. But what is he going to do for me and my kind?
I remain caustiously optimistic. And hopeful that we might be able to once again walk in the light, and not be afraid of crossing borders. I remain hopeful that I won't have to drive the RV (wishful thinking) to Mexico, never to return. I want believe, but my faith isn't blind, and my loyalty has to be earned. As the rest of the world and the Democratics throw a party, I still have to go to work, collect a paycheck, and take care of my sick partner. And in a year from now, on Nov 5th, 2009, let's check back and see how the President is doing.
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