Why should I vote Democrat??? (small update)

I ask this question seriously because, as it seems, the Democrats whom I am eligible to vote for this November are overwhelmingly opposed by my equal right under the US Constitution to seek legal recognition of my marriage.

In 2006, there were four distinct pieces of legislation introduced in the West Virginia Legislature and the US Congress seeking to ban the legal recognition of same-sex marriage:

*US Senate - Joint Resolution 1 - Allard (R-CO)
*US House - Joint Resolution 88 - Musgrave (R-CO)
*WV House of Delegates - House Joint Resolution 106
*WV Senate - Senate Joint Resolution 12

Now, let's see how my Democratic representatives voted on the issues, hmm?

First, to the US House resolution - Granted, Congressman Mollohan (D-WV-01) voted against the resolution, but Congressman Mollohan has opposed stem cell research and supported Terri Schiavo legislation.

Now, to the US Senate resolution - Senator Byrd (D-WV) voted for the motion of cloture but claimed
he would have opposed the amendment. Yet, his communications director at his Charleston office bluntly told me that Senator Byrd is strongly opposed to the legal recognition of same-sex marriage. Additionally, Senator Byrd has submitted legislation during this Congress to legalize school prayer.

The West Virginia Legislature also sought legislation on the same subject.

HJR 106 was introduced and co-sponsored by Delegate Tim Ennis (D-Brooke Co.) who is my representative for the WV Second House District.

SJR 12 was introduced and co-sponsored by Senator Edward Bowman (D-Hancock Co.) who is my representative for the WV First Senatorial District.

It seems of the five state/federal Democrats whom I'm eligible to vote for, only one seems to think that I should enjoy rights as a first-class US citizen. Additionally, a Democratic candidate for the neighboring WV House of Delegates district (whom I monetarily supported) is now running a radio ad claiming to be a "devout Christian" who will vote for family values. The Republican incumbent for that Third WV House District has opposed attempts to codify such hate into the West Virginia Constitution.

You Kossacks have told me for months and months that if I simply vote Democratic in November, everything will get better. Well, that doesn't seem to be the case in the examples I have provided. So, I am asking you again, why should I essentially capitulate and relegate myself to second-class citizenship just to elect a Democratic majority?

---UPDATE---
It seems that most of you claim a Democratic majority (which we have had in the WV Legislature for 70 years) will somehow prevent me from being registered a sex offender. Others, however, claim that electing a Democratic majority will, over time, result in the legal recognition of same-sex marriage. Here's my next question: What fantasy world are you people living in? How many monogamous gay couples have heard such a promise for decades and still yet to have seen any fruition? Why should I even bother participating in the aforementioned races? After all, this is a core issue to me. It may not be to you, but it is to me. The next question is --- Does the Democratic Party deserve a majority? Exactly what good will it do? Why not bother waiting until 2008?

Oh, and to answer your other questions: No, I will not be voting for Chris Wakim or John Raese. No, I will not be voting for Ed Bowman or his Republican opponent. No, I will not be voting for Tim Ennis or his Republican opponent (though I will vote for Jack Yost).

Call me a troll, but you do so in complete ignorance. I have simply been reading diary entries over the last three months rather than creating my own. But, I was so frustrated that I thought a diary entry was worthwhile. Apparently, it was not, or else DailyKos is not what it once was.

•  because you will be tortured

  if the Republicans win. It has been lesser of two evils in this country for decades.

  Democrats might deny you the right. Republicans will deny you life. You can keep on fighting under Democrats. Its not easy and you won't win soon, but at least you'll be able to fight

  by ThanxAl on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:31:57 AM PDT

  •  Al, your answer is fear?

    If fear is your tactic, why don't you just become a Republican?

    by mph2005 on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 12:54:52 PM PDT

•  Consider the alternative

  The Repukes don't even want us to have second-class citizenship. They'd far and away prefer we were all rounded up and sent off to concentration camps where we can't corrupt their children. Besides which, I think it's naive in the extreme to expect a legislative route to full civil rights for LGBT folk. Everyone seems to think that's how things "should" happen, but if you look at the historical record, it's usually the courts. So fuck the idiots in Congress--and vote for the people who aren't going to appoint fundagelical dominionists to the federal bench.

  by musing85 on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:32:32 AM PDT

  •  Not concentration camps

    None of that hyperbole.  Prison.  Republicans want laws against homosexual sex, so that homosexuals can be sent to prison.  Not not concentration camps.  That would be extreme.

    by Inland on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:34:56 AM PDT

    •  Yeah, concentration camps

      It may only be the wingnuttiest of the wingnut fringe that has the balls to say it out loud. But most of them, I'm sure, are thinking it.

      by musing85 on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:39:52 AM PDT

    •  well it may be.

      and under what they could get away with in this country, I'd agree with you about prisons.

      But

      I would be that in a Rethug's perfect world, we'd be going to the camps.

      by the OTHER rasmussen on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:41:42 AM PDT

    •  sex offender status...

      Registering homosexuals along with pedophiles, and rapists...not too far of a stretch...then, once registered, guess what?

      I'm sure freepers who take the "long view" have this all worked out...

      And it didn't even take that much tin foil to create that one.

      by kmiddle on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:43:45 AM PDT

      •  good point

        They probably have already developed the Project for a New Heterosexual Century. You are no doubt correct that homosexuals will be added to sex offender lists. And don't forget. They have to go around and announce that they live in the community. This is the right-wing's dream.

        THAT'S WHY YOU VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS.

        by ThanxAl on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:49:34 AM PDT

•  I voted I don't know...

  Because I don't know how to answer questions which end in indefinite articles.

  by Arken on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:33:24 AM PDT

•  Why shouldn't everyone retype every single diary

  in this space for your reading convenience?

  Try the tags.  They sort by subject.

  There's lots of reasons all over dKos.  Read them, and then if you still have questions, somebody will answer them.

  by Inland on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:33:48 AM PDT

•  Who else are you going to vote for?

  Your best chance is with the Democrats.  Certainly, the Republicans hate and disdain you, and will NEVER give you marriage rights.  They might even put you in prison or torture you for being gay, the way things are currently going.

  Some things are more immediately pressing than your right to marry.  Sorry if that sounds hard-headed, but I'm a pragmatist, and we need to win these upcoming elections.  Hold your nose if you have to, but vote for a Democrat.  Your country needs you.  Ask not what your country can do for you at this very dangerous time, but what you can do for your country.

  by Loquatrix on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:34:25 AM PDT

•  Look at what the committees will be.

  These guys aren't very good on your issue (although you get the senator protecting the Constitution). But where do their opponents stand?
  And do you really think that these "wedge issue" questions will get onto the floor if the House and the committees are controlled by Democrats?

  by Frank Palmer on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:34:25 AM PDT

•  Oh, because D's are 1000 times better than R's

  Look, most Republicans want to pass sodomy laws, making gay people such as myself "registered sex offenders" and putting us in prison for consensual sex. They want to install far-far-far right fundamentalist Christians as judges.

  Most Democrats support some form of civil unions or outright marriage. The Democratic nominee for president in 2004 supported FULL MARRIAGE RIGHTS (even if he didn't want it called married).

  This is pretty good given that gay marriage registers at about 29% support in most national polls.

  In fact, I'm hard pressed to find any issue where the two parties are farther apart.

  I'm tired of this argument. If you can't in good conscience vote for the Democrats because they don't all support full marriage rights, fine, don't vote for Democrats.

  But then be prepared for Jerry Fallwell making the laws for gay people, and for folks like him on the Supreme Court.

  by BrentHartinger on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:34:44 AM PDT

•  P.S. WV Democrats

  are Republicans in drag. We need to seriously take oer this state during primary season. The problem is that these goddamned Dixie-crats rule the state.

  by ThanxAl on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:34:49 AM PDT

•  additional questions

  Are the Republican opponents of these Democrats on record as supporting "legal recognition of [your] marriage"?

  Are there additional issues of importance to you where these Democrats stake out positions closer to your own than their Republican opponents?

  When "legal recognition of [your] marriage" comes, and one day it will, do you think it more likely it will come from a Democratic majority, or a Republican one?

  by blueness on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:35:17 AM PDT

•  You should vote Democratic

  in order to be part of the movement that is countering the toxic Bush administration and that will, in the long term, reform the Democratic party.

  I share your frustration, but we first we need to stick together against the Republicans and then we reform our own party so that social justice, economic justice, civil liberties, and peace become the values of a new Democratic party.

  by Karmafish on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:35:23 AM PDT

•  Actually

  the word in your title should be "Democratic".

  by bornadem on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:35:27 AM PDT

•  vote "Democrat"? "Liberal voters"?

  "You Kossacks"?

  And just who, pray tell, are you?

  by concernedamerican on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:35:50 AM PDT

  •  concernedamerican

    He's a fellow West Virginian. We've exchanged comments before on West Virginia issues.

    by Carnacki on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:09:01 AM PDT

    •  thank you Carnacki. n/t

      by concernedamerican on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:09:57 AM PDT

    •  You didn't answer on your diary...

      are you now going to vote for Raese and Corruptico or Wakim by not voting for the D's?

      Just wonderin'

      by ThanxAl on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:12:19 AM PDT

      •  ThanxAl

        I won't vote for Republicans. I'll vote for Democrats. Whether I'll be a member of the party or not depends on how many Democrats vote against this bill. As I explained in another comment, if we don't send  up warning lights to the Democrats, they're going to drive over the cliff on this. They still have a chance to turn this around -- maybe not winning but making a stand and showing voters what they stand for and -- as someone else described -- throwing some red meat to the Democratic base to get us to turn out for them.

        by Carnacki on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:15:15 AM PDT

        •  but don't you get that

          the R's are making this a wedge? They have no morals. They will politicize torture. If the R's win, so many more people will be tortured than if the D's win and repeal the law.

          by ThanxAl on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:24:38 AM PDT

          •  IMO, that's the catch

            They are in charge and can vring any issue they wish to the floor. They can work with the President to appease him and to prolide cover for him. They can raise wedge issues and wedge away. BUT, it is up to our party to not allow that to wedge US. This is why it is of the utmost imperitive for them to fight this, per their constituents beliefs, and to fight it to the end. And it is OUR role to let them know this IS a breaking point and they better don their battle gear and get in the fucking ring.

            by Tirge Caps on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 11:19:02 AM PDT

•  Vote Democratic.

  I don't know this "Democrat Party"  of which you speak.

  by Desroko on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:36:23 AM PDT

•  Ask yourself this...

  Do you think that the situation would be better for you if the Republicans kept their majority nationally? I have heard Democrats and Republicans talk about these issues, and overwhelmingly the Democrats are more in favor of equal rights and same-sex marriage. This may not be true in every race, obviously, but I do think that it is true nationally. In fact, Liberals favor it 5 to 1, and they're the only voting bloc in the country where this has majority support! Amongst conservative Bush supporters, support is more like 1 in 10 if you're lucky.

  by pb on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:37:41 AM PDT

•  Please explain your other options...

  You ask:

  So, I am asking you again, why should I essentially capitulate and relegate myself to second-class citizenship just to elect a Democratic majority?

  I am not going to tell you that voting Democratic will vote in Same Sex Marriage.  I wish I could.  
  But I would like to understand your other options and how you feel you can vote yourself to first class? (class term is yours not mine)
  Voting republican? green? independent? or other?
  Which one of the available options will work for you?  I am a supporter of human rights and would like to know how better to support them.

  by DemiGoddess on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:40:39 AM PDT

•  On second thought

  Here's my famous recipe for cooked bread:

  1. Remove from package

  2. Put in toaster.

  3. Set at medium.

  4. Push lever down.

  5. Wait. When it pops up, remove quickly, being careful not to burn your hands.

  6. Put on plate, butter to taste.

  A variety of toppings may also be used. Some people use peanut butter. A personal favorite of mine is cinnamon sugar, which can be purchased in the spice section of the grocery store.
  Enjoy!

  by bornadem on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:42:10 AM PDT

  •  MMmmmm, cooked bread.....n/t

    by high uintas on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:44:29 AM PDT

    •  It's delish!

      by bornadem on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:45:25 AM PDT

  •  mph2005 is not a troll

    I've had quite nice blog conversations about state politics with mph2005 on dkos.

    The problem is that mph2005 live in a state full of fuck-tarded red-neck in-bred hillbillies. Before I get flamed, I was born and grew up here. If hating fuck-tarded, red-neck, inbred hillibillies is racism, then call me 'macaca'.

    by ThanxAl on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:52:14 AM PDT

    •  Don't Need to Be a Troll To Get a Recipe

      You just need to post useless crap once in a while.

      And this diary is pretty useless IMHO.

      Too much is at stake this year.  The dems are the only ones standing between us and Bush with a rubber-stamp congress for another two years.

      Game-playing will only sick us all.  And voting against Dems, or refusing to back them in this election is a dangerous game.

      by Alegre on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:15:37 AM PDT

      •  o.k. I thought only trolls

        got recipes. However, if recipes are left for people talking crap on dKos, you will be cookin' morning, noon, and night.

        By the way, I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU when you write Too much is at stake this year.  The dems are the only ones standing between us and Bush with a rubber-stamp congress for another two years.

        by ThanxAl on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:26:39 AM PDT

  •  Probably not a troll, but ...

    ... I couldn't resist the opening.

    From the Fannie Farmer cookbook (11th edition):

    Cinnamon sugar recipe

    1/4 cup sugar
    1 tablespoon cinnamon

    Mix.  Apply liberally to buttered toast.  (I generally apply liberally and then shake off the part that hasn't stuck to the butter.  That way eating it is a lot less messy.)

    They sell it in stores???

    by RobotsRUs on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:01:06 AM PDT

    •  yes. I agree. We need less of this now

      I wrote a diary emploring Kos to just immediately delete these. This kind of debate is fine in January, but 41 days beofre an election??? No. Delete, rinse, repeat.

      by ThanxAl on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:04:01 AM PDT

•  I'm a dumb, dumb man,

  cuz it took me this long to check the history. Dozens of diaries, no comments from our friend here. Take from that what you will.

  by Desroko on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:43:56 AM PDT

  •  Just came back from doing the same thing

    Troll? you might ask yourself. Same as it ever was.

    by high uintas on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:46:00 AM PDT

    •  I remember having conversations

      with mph2005 (lives in Wheeling area). But now that I went to check, there are no comments there. Confused.

      by ThanxAl on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:57:14 AM PDT

      •  My bad.

        They're there - for some reason the Comments search automatically goes to 1 day to Now.

        by Desroko on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:01:03 AM PDT

        •  I can't see them

          I changed it to 1 year and found none...wait.
          Just hit me. Kos said yesterday there was a huge database fuck-up. Maybe it's that?

          by ThanxAl on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:08:07 AM PDT

          •  Search the archive.

            by Desroko on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:10:04 AM PDT

            •  oh!!! Got it.

              Thanks for edubacating me.

              by ThanxAl on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:13:47 AM PDT

          •  My bad as well

            I screwed around and found six comments by the diarist and apologize for my remark.

            However, mph2005, understand that there really is no viable alternative to the Democratic party if what you want is equality. And equality is what you deserve. I understand that you come from a very red area and your reps are disappointing you, but hey, I come from Utah. I bet my one Dem rep makes yours look like a commie.

            by high uintas on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:13:17 AM PDT

•  Change

  One side is more apt to change as the populace accepts the idea than the current people in charge are.
  We progress, they regress.
  Think long term, not immediate rewards or you will be badly disappointed.

  by RElland on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:49:01 AM PDT

•  West Virginia vs. California

  I think it's only a matter of time before the West Virginia Democrats clue up on this one.  The only thing that's going to help though is having strong pro-equality organizations twisting arms, raising cash, and mobilizing voters.

  Here in California, Equality California is a great group and they've done a lot of push legislators to work up the courage to do the right thing.  The result is that pro-equality is now the default position of the Democrats in the Legislature.  There's been tons of good legislation this session and Ahnold has signed some of it.  When the marriage equality bill passed in the Legislature here last year, almost every Democrat voted for it.  A handful abstained and only one or two Democrats voted no.  No Republicans voted for the bill.

  by ortcutt on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:53:32 AM PDT

•  Pro-Life Democrat or Pro-Choice Republican?

  If you get a Democratic Majority, you get Boxer, Peloisi, Sanders and Feingold making law. And yes, that means GLBT equality.

  Would you rather have the Republicans passing "A Man and A Women" laws? Even a Republican who's Pro-Choice votes with the party line, and gay rights is no different. Even if you vote for an anti-gay Democrat in WV you help Tom Lantos.

  I'm incredulous that this is a legitimate concern. Your diaries suggest you would rather surrender everything than fight for anything, but I'm sure that's just what gets you fired up to write.

  It's not just about you and your district, boss. It's about our whole country.

  by opendna on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 09:56:52 AM PDT

•  Please don't vote

  I won't shed a tear.

  by Paul Goodman on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:09:29 AM PDT

  •  Grrrr.

    by opendna on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 03:40:02 PM PDT

•  Sigh

  Here we go again...

  Hard Boiled Eggs

  Fill pan with water
  Place eggs in pan
  Put lid on pan
  Place pan on stove
  Turn on burner
  Let boil for approx 10 minutes
  Turn off burner
  Drain off water
  Run under cold water
  Let cool
  Remove eggs from pan and place in bowl
  Place bowl in fridge

  by Alegre on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:13:11 AM PDT

•  FWIW

  When that atrocity of a House/Senate Bill was in Committee in the WV Legislature, I emailed every one of them to protest. I heard back from probably a dozen & all I heard back from:
  a) were Democrats
  b) were not supporting that bill to ban gay marriage.

  So not all Democrats are in lock-step on this issue, but odds are a little better than the Republicans that they'll vote for "live & let live" and not for criminalization. No doubt some of them are sticking fingers into the wind since this is perceived as a major shift in culture.

  Believe me, I have a "dog in this race" and I want to see same-sex marriage now dammit, but it is gonna take a little more time to work through the system. Keep letting them know that you deserve equality, and so will I. I suspect that is the key - KEEP TELLING THEM. Have your family tell them, your friends, your neighbors.

  by WV Democrat on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:14:40 AM PDT

•  Yeah, I'm gay too...

  but listen... letting Republicans win increases the likelihood of a ban against marriage equality. I'm upset that Democrats aren't defending the civil rights of gays as well, but I'd rather have Democrats not stir up trouble than Republicans who will most definitely stir up trouble.

  If we can win back the House this year, the Senate and White House in '08 and then increase those majorities on '10... I think we'll be in a really great position to start pushing for a Marriage Equality Amendment.

  As much as it pisses me off and as angry, bitter and resentful as it makes me, we're not going to be given equal rights over night. The struggle will continue.

  The fact remains that the best time to challenge Democrats who don't support your values is when there is a primary. Any other time, you're helping Republicans win. Individual Democrats might be hostile to homosexuality, but the party itself is not. Over the next few years, we must replace the conservative Democrats with libertarian and liberal Democrats who don't think the government should decide who's love is valid who's love is not.

  by Potus2020 on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:20:26 AM PDT

•  If you are a single issue voter...

  ...then the evidence before you suggests you should not vote Democratic. I would guess the Republican alternative would be worse. If there is no Independent in the race then perhaps you should just sit this one out until something better comes along.

  Truthfully though, I don't think sitting it out is in your best interest. The only way same sex marraige will be recognized in your state is if the Dems can take control. (Admittedly, even if the Dems do take control it may take time in your part of the country). Change in politics does not take place over night. Rarely does something happen to cause a sea-change in peoples hearts and minds on how the world should be. Nevertheless, it seems clear to me that democratic policies are far more sympathetic to your cause - even if your current reps do not agree.

  Additionally, most people do not vote for just a single issue. There are a variety of isses that are importatnt to me. While the war in Iraq clearly represents the most important issue this cycle. I also consider other issues from pro-choice and personal privacy to environmental issues. I do not always agree with Russ Carnahann on these issues, but on the whole our sympathies are more similar than the Republican alternative.

  Ask yourself if same sex marraige is the only thing you consider important right now. My guess is that there is more. I would also bet your sympathies lean Democratic on these other issues.

  I am sorry for your struggle. I have many friends in the GLB community here in St Louis. I write my Congressmen and Senators on their behalf. Unfortunately, things move slowly here in Missouri as well.

  Good Luck, I hope this was helpful.

  by rawls on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 10:22:05 AM PDT

•  Anybody else?

  Anybody else think that the idea that the government sanctions any personal relationship not related to blood is asinine?

  Try this on for size.  Don’t work for the right for a legally recognized homosexual marriage, work for no legal recognition of any marriage.  Marriage by its very nature, when used by the government to allocate benefits, like tax breaks or legal rights, such as the right to make end of life decisions for a partner, is discrimination.

  Marriage should be a wholly private institution, sanctioned only by whatever faith community one belongs to.  No government incentive, no government reward, no government telling any church or group that they cannot marry whomever they please.

  Throw the government out of your relationship, do not beg them to come in.

  End Rant.

  by TastyCurry on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 11:09:24 AM PDT

  •  You're not alone.

    That's part of my "getting to know me" diary/rant.

    by opendna on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 03:38:01 PM PDT

  •  Why blood?

    I have responses on marriage, but I was more struck by the notion that blood would be the sole criterion.  Why is that?

    by Inland on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 07:37:31 PM PDT

•  In response to your update

  I wanted to point you to the front page's CO-04: Rep. Musgrave Says "Gay Marriage Most Important Issue We Face Today" in which a Democrat launches a salvo vs an anti-gay Republican.

  And answer this question:
  

  How many monogamous gay couples have heard such a promise for decades and still yet to have seen any fruition?

  Well, over 3,000 in San Francisco, thanks to Democratic mayor Gavin Newsom.

  It occures to me that as of the late 1980s, gays were still fighting for the right to not get beat up or fired for being who they are. The fight for the right to marry doesn't show up on the GoogleNews timeline until 1996, and doesn't get energized until 2003. (Immigration' goes back to the 1940s, so it's not because Google doesn't have records further back). So the answer to "how many decades" is 0-1 decades. Gay marriage has really only been on the table for three years, all of which were during the Reign of Republican Government.

  Maybe a quick read of this Ask Yahoo! page will illustrate the trend that "Democrats = Equal Rights".

  I've been getting the Taskforce emails but I they were so angry and self-defeating that I had to unsubscribe. I get it: this is your issue. The One That Matters. But I really hope you get yourself out to the polls and pull the lever for (D) anyway. If you don't, get ready to see your rights rolled back to the 1940s.

  by opendna on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 03:36:42 PM PDT

•  Fine, you're a troll.

  It would be nice if you at least pretended to care about something other than your issue.  For example, there's plenty of talk about torture going on.  You might think about showing support and not just making demands, if only because the former gets the latter a better reception.  It also tends to avoid, when you post "After all, this is a core issue to me. It may not be to you, but it is to me,"  a reaction of, "and who are you again and why is your approval or disapproval such a big deal to us"?

  Good luck with wherever you end up.

  by Inland on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 07:36:15 PM PDT

•  Comment Update

  Apparently anyone who disagrees with you is ignorant. Here's a tip: Don't post diaries if you don't want people to disagree with you.

  Did you read Kos' front page diary about not whining because building a progressive majority doesn't happen overnight?

  STOP COMPLAINING AND DO SOMETHING!

  Of all the splintered issue groups that try to drag the Democratic Party in their own particular direction, the gay rights movement is the least engaged! It may be inconvenient but it's the truth.

  Here's an idea... encourage your family, friends and neighbors to vote for Democrats both nationally, statewide and locally. In West Virginia, they may be conservative... just hold tight. In upcoming elections we can rally together and support progressive Dems for the '08 primaries.

  THE PARTY IS NOT PERFECT.

  THE PARTY DOESN'T COMPLETELY REFLECT OUR VALUES.

  BUT THE ALTERNATIVE IS THE REPUBLICANS...

  Third parties are not going to thrive in the current climate, so the logical thing to do is make the Democratic party, the party we want it to be. PERIOD.

  by Potus2020 on Wed Sep 27, 2006 at 08:39:19 PM PDT