2012-10-26 15:31![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
digitaldiscipline
digitaldisciplinehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/kergan-edwardsstout/romney-lgbt-rights_b_1980231.html
Politics is not black and white, but, on some issues, yes, there is a bright line.
Your dollars, gods, and bombs do not trump anyone's humanity. I'm sorry if you feel otherwise, but that doesn't make you any less wrong.
I am a straight, white, professional American male; just about the most privileged position it's possible to inhabit.
And if I see anyone trying to defend this bastion of opportunity from women, from people of other races, from LGBTQ folks, from people who believe in minority religions or hold no faith at all... I believe you're wrong.
Privilege isn't a zero-sum game. It's a volcano breaking the ocean's surface and peeking above the waves, the rim of the caldera, yes, probably remaining somewhat above the surrounding new land, but more and more showing above the waves.
Don't be the waves, eroding opportunity and equality from people who ought to have it.
Don't deny people equal rights, equal opportunity, equal pay. Don't protect power and privilege because "that's how it's always been."
I have seen some pointed criticism of social-issues voting as being "juvenile," because the critic believes that reproductive rights (that is, the ability of a woman to have control of and agency over her body, despite what a man may want) and gay rights are somehow all about the fucking. It's not about sex, it's about freedom, and if critics are unwilling or unable to see that, I don't think anything I say will open any new eyes or change any minds.
Maybe something someone else, just as angry and maybe more erudite, wrote, would:
http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/10/25/a-fan-letter-to-certain-conservative-politicians/
If you vote for people who do those things, I believe you're wrong.
And if you feel the same way about me, you won't be missed.
Politics is not black and white, but, on some issues, yes, there is a bright line.
Your dollars, gods, and bombs do not trump anyone's humanity. I'm sorry if you feel otherwise, but that doesn't make you any less wrong.
I am a straight, white, professional American male; just about the most privileged position it's possible to inhabit.
And if I see anyone trying to defend this bastion of opportunity from women, from people of other races, from LGBTQ folks, from people who believe in minority religions or hold no faith at all... I believe you're wrong.
Privilege isn't a zero-sum game. It's a volcano breaking the ocean's surface and peeking above the waves, the rim of the caldera, yes, probably remaining somewhat above the surrounding new land, but more and more showing above the waves.
Don't be the waves, eroding opportunity and equality from people who ought to have it.
Don't deny people equal rights, equal opportunity, equal pay. Don't protect power and privilege because "that's how it's always been."
I have seen some pointed criticism of social-issues voting as being "juvenile," because the critic believes that reproductive rights (that is, the ability of a woman to have control of and agency over her body, despite what a man may want) and gay rights are somehow all about the fucking. It's not about sex, it's about freedom, and if critics are unwilling or unable to see that, I don't think anything I say will open any new eyes or change any minds.
Maybe something someone else, just as angry and maybe more erudite, wrote, would:
http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/10/25/a-fan-letter-to-certain-conservative-politicians/
If you vote for people who do those things, I believe you're wrong.
And if you feel the same way about me, you won't be missed.
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(no subject)
In my home state, I can be fired simply because I'm gay - & I would have no recourse, because that's legal here. My company (thank God) chooses to offer health insurance to same-sex domestic partners, but because of the Defense of Marriage Act, they have to pay me about $120 extra a pay period, then immediately withdraw that $120 to pay for their share of her benefits. Since that is recorded as income, my taxable income is increased by about (120 x 26 =) $3,120 a year. This increased my Federal income tax bill by about $500 for 2011. Just so I can provide health insurance for my
wifesame-sex domestic partner. The samewifesame-sex domestic partner, incidently, who can't visit me in the hospital unless she brings along a copy of our medical power of attorney document, or draw Social Security based on my income instead of hers should I die, or inherit our estate from me without paying taxes on the entire amount.Tell me again how I can do what I want already?