Whether it is President Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, America as a nation--or Bernie Sanders, people have evolved on the issue of marriage equality and same-sex marriage specifically. One of the numerous reasons to vote for whoever the Democratic Party nominee for president is, centers on democrats unyielding support for LGBTQ civil and human rights, marriage equality and same-sex marriage. Bernie Sanders defends Hillary Clinton against sexist criticism~ Face the Nation Transcript--August 9, 2015 Bernie on Sexist Attacks on Hillary
SANDERS: Well, this is what I think. "I think, for a variety of reasons, Hillary Clinton has been under all kinds of attack for many, many years. In fact, I can't think of many personalities who have been attacked for more reasons than Hillary Clinton." "And, by the way, let me be frank. And I'm running against her. Some of it is sexist. I don't know that a man would be treated the same way that Hillary is." "So, all that I can say is, I have known Hillary Clinton for 25 years. I admire her. I respect her. I like her. She and I have very different points of view on a number of issues."
Meet the Press Transcript - September 27, 2015 Chuck Todd Criticism of Hillary in Interview CHUCK TODD criticizing Hillary Rodham Clinton about her support for marriage equality, contrasting her to Bernie Sanders long history of support for marriage equality.
But Bernie Sanders has been on the, sort of, where you are on these issues, Bernie Sanders was there when it came to marriage 20 years ago. Do you think one of the reasons he's doing well right now is some progressives think, "Well, you know, what, he was there when it wasn't popular."
Hillary Rodham Clinton's responded to Chuck Todd's criticism by stating, Bernie Sanders could speak for himself, which gives one pause to wonder if Hillary is aware of Bernie Sanders 2006 views on marriage equality, or whether she and her campaign should be aware of his views, which have evolved over the years just like hers.
Well, he can speak for himself. And I certainly respect his views. I can just tell you that I am not someone who, you know, stakes out a position and holds it regardless of the evidence or regardless of the way that I perceive what's happening in the world around me. And as I was saying, that's where the Republicans are.
How much work and journalistic challenge is it for Chuck Todd, others in the media and political campaigns to investigate and vet Bernie Sanders comments on marriage equality before criticizing Hillary Rodham Clinton. I agree with Bernie Sanders about the sexist, assorted and manifold attacks directed at Hillary Rodham Clinton, before she announced her presidential candidacy and especially during her current campaign for President of the United States of America.
It is not hard to research and find where and when Bernie Sanders stated his view regarding marriage equality--and it was not twenty years ago. Same-sex marriages were recognized in Massachusetts on May 17, 2004, the first state to do so.
In 2006 some states allowed civil unions like Vermont Civil Unions and Dissolution's in Vermont in 2006, passed laws sympathetic to marriage equality and same-sex marriage--but there was no U.S. Constitutional Amendment or U.S. Supreme Court ruling affirming and guaranteeing the constitutional right of marriage equality and same-sex marriage in all fifty states.
I agree with Hillary Rodham Clinton, Bernie Sanders can speak for himself on his past views and evolution on marriage equality.
From the October 27, 2006 Vermont Senate debate between Independent and Incumbent (U.S. House of Representative) Bernie Sanders and challenger Republican Richard Tarrant
Question for Bernie Sanders: Do you think that gay people ought to have the right to get married outside of Massachusetts, be able to file joint federal income taxes and so forth?--if you do, would you sponsor legislation to that effect? Part II would you tell if you think it's time to repeal the military's Don't' Ask Don't Tell.
Excerpts from Bernie Sanders answer--the whole question and answer starts at 26:59 until 27:53 of the linked C-Span video. 2006 Vermont Senate Debate "Yea, I am not a great fan, part of the second part of Don't Ask Don't Tell"......"I was a strong supporter of civil unions, I believe that, I believe voted against the DOMA Bill" "I believe that the Federal Government should not be involved in overturning Massachusetts or any other state, because I think Stuart, the whole issue of marriage is a state issue, that's what it is, so that is my view on that"
Hillary Rodham Clinton, President Obama, America as a whole and even Bernie Sanders view that "marriage is a state issue, that's what it is" have evolved in the right direction on marriage equality, unlike the Republican Party.
Hillary's last sentence above from her response to Chuck Todd's criticism of her evolution on marriage equality "And I was saying, that's where the Republicans are"--speaks to the cultural, social and political importance of the 2016 presidential election and the progression and direction our country takes in the future.
There are terms in the American lexicon that are loaded, coded and when used and applied in a inappropriate manner signify discrimination and violation of civil rights.--i.e. 'states rights' During the 1950-1960 Civil Rights Movement in America 'states rights' was used as the rallying cry by southern states.
Southern states expressed dissatisfaction, disdain and contempt for civil right activist's who called for the U.S. Supreme Court and U.S Congress to intervene and bring an end to Jim Crow segregation, discrimination and the violation of human rights of African-Americans in America and the south specifically.
The Republican Party in 2015 have so distorted, diluted and debased words and terms like religious freedom, liberty and 'states rights' that for them the words have become synonymous with religious oppression and having liberty (so they can be free from the oversight of the U.S. Federal Government) to engage in unencumbered discrimination against immigrants, minorities, women, LGBTQ Americans, as well as voter suppression and repression.
Hillary Rodham Clinton or Bernie Sanders is the preferred choice over any republican presidential candidate. If possible democrats should be involved with helping to register voters, encouraging others to vote and volunteering in campaigns.
It is important in 2016 to vote up and down the ticket for democrats in all fifty states who are running for public office for President of the United States, the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, as a judge, or any federal, state, county, local and municipal level. Vote for Democrats in 2016!