Why Democrats are Kicking Progress to the Courts?
- Details
- Category: Jeremy Addis-Mills
- Published on Tuesday, 28 September 2010 23:23
- Written by Jaddis-Mills
As most have already heard, the courts have started to move one of the most profound civil right issues of our generation. Just last week a judge ruled that the dismissal of Margret Whitt from the U.S Air Force on the grounds of Don't Ask Don't Tell was actually counter to the intent of Don't Ask Don't Tell. The judge in this case determined that kicking Margaret Whitt from the Air Force would have a larger impact on the unit cohesion and moral than would actually allowing her to serve openly in the U.S Air Force. This is in combination with other court rulings in the last few months that question the constitutionality of anti-Same-Sex Marriage laws and restrictions on Same-Sex couples adoption, and are beginning to progress towards really positive change for LGBT civil rights in America.
These landmark decisions by the courts are no doubt a sign of a generational change. The statistical data reflects that as Generation Y is more open to the acceptance of members of the LGBT community and as we become more influential in the political system bias toward the LGBT community, that it has begun to melt away. The question that has perplexed me for the past few weeks is why aren't the Democrats taking this issue and monopolizing on its popularity? I first thought why not take the torch; it will motivate the Progressive base of voters. It will no doubt be widely accepted among the younger generation of voters who thrust President Obama into the White House in 2008. This is to say nothing of the fire that letting the courts deal with the issue will inspire in the contingent of voters that hate activist judges, who more often than not appear to support Republicans. With all of this in mind, the decision to stay out seemed like a stupid one, but that was before I really took into account the ability for a small group of people to massively shift the agenda of an entire county.
The reason why the Democrats are punting this issue to the courts is simple. There are swing districts in Kansas, Colorado, Nevada, Kentucky, and Missouri (to name a few) that are ultimately going to decide who controls one or both houses of Congress come November. Unfortunately, these districts and states have never been a haven of true blue progressives nor does any state really have a reliable young vote. This November, candidates for Congress or Senate are running against opposition candidates that have the support and votes of the hot-tempered, small-government, geriatric parade better known at the "Tea-Party." These voters are pissed and upset and are likely to turn out and vote against anyone they have issues with.
In a bit of irony, the same Democratic base of voters who are upset by the perceived abandonment of these progressive ideals, combined with the apathy being expressed by those who were once star struck by what they perceived as then candidate Obama's deity-like promises to fix every single thing that afflicted them, are in fact the people who are truly jeopardizing the passage of good reforms. In the end this does not really make a recipe for success on any issue for Democrats, especially if they stick their nose out on an issue that fires up their opposition's base. I have been as disheartened as the next progressive at the compromises that have been struck on healthcare, climate-change, etc. But if you really want change in Washington, you need to take the time and attempt to see past the rhetoric and one-liners, view the politics of the situation, and god damn it, TURN OUT AND VOTE in more than just one election every ten years.
Something tells me…I'm preaching to the choir.
