Political bravery is a difficult thing to define. A long-time elected once told me: “being brave isn’t about what the voters will support; sometimes it is about speaking for the right thing regardless of the political cost”. Democrats in the Midwest had long been warned to stay away from conservative talking point issues. The logic was simple: we will drive up Republican vote count in the fall. We might lose an election over it.
Missouri Democrats engaged in a filibuster that went 39 hours before Republicans closed the measure by calling for previous question, cutting off debate and ending the discussion of SJR39.
SJR39, a “Religious Freedom” constitutional amendment allows for discriminatory practices by businesses and others against LGBT individuals. You can be “open for business” for everyone but those who are LGBT. Kevin Garner at Progress Missouri explains the problem:
http://progressmissouri.org/discrimination-has-no-place-our-state-constitution
Let’s be clear: the First Amendment already defends a person’s religious freedom, and no one is forcing business owners to change their views on same-sex marriage. However, denying services to certain people based on their gender, religion, nationality or skin color remains discriminatory and illegal.
And on top of all that, it’s bad for business.
At 7:28 this morning, the Missouri Senate passed SJR39 21-11. The question many are asking is: with some “moderate” Republicans willing to vote against SJR39, there are only 8 elected Democrats in the Senate, where were the moderate Republicans in working to stop the measure before this occurred?
For Senate Democrats, they laid their bodies and well being on the line; they lived in the capitol to fight for the right thing. Too many Republicans, even moderates, could not be cajoled, encouraged, or influenced to listen to their better angels and find the bravery needed to stand up and be counted as those in the strongest of opposition.
Today, the Missouri Senate moved forward on a constitutional amendment that instills the right to discriminate within the Missouri constitution.
While this is a sad day for Missouri, for reason, and for decency within the state house, it also acts as a wake up call for rank & file Democrats everywhere. Today is the day for many Democrats nationwide to recognize the importance of electing more, and better, Democrats. Not just at the federal level, not just in races that get national attention. In races like these, races that will change and shape the lives of Missouri residents. These office holders are prepared to put the rights of American citizens up to a public vote, to determine the value of their dollar can be different than the value of another consumer because of who they are, what they believe, who they love.
Missouri Democrats, standing in a filibuster for 3 days, gave up other options. Some Democrats, despite illness, came in, bringing family in tow, to make sure that slots were filled and could be protected.
Missouri residents may not know this even happened; local media in places like Kansas City offered only token coverage of the filibuster outside of newspapers. Other media gave only a few minutes here and there. Missouri Democrats, however, didn’t take to the floor for a record breaking 39 hours because it was the convenient thing to do. They didn’t stand and filibuster for 39 hours because it was the fun, politically advisable thing to do. They stood their ground for 39 hours because it was the right thing to do.
Republicans ended debate, invoking previous question. Previous question was something that the Missouri senate had avoided for 7 years, from 2007 to 2014, before using multiple times since then. This is the state of the Missouri Senate.
For Missouri Democrats, the focus may turn to the presidential primary, which occurs on March 15. For a few minutes, though, Democrats should take a minute — just a minute — to show their support however they can, which includes monetary support if Missouri Democrats hope to fix their problems within the state.
It is easy for Democrats around the country to say: I do not know what my state/local party does for me. I do not think they speak out enough, they do not do enough, I am not going to put a lot of support into it because they do not support me.
The Missouri Democratic party elected officers, though, crossed all of that off since Monday. Now it is time for Missouri registered Democrats to do their part, and show their state party their appreciation. I would strongly encourage Missouri Democrats this morning to show some love for their state party, to help change their state senate, and their state houses — because not every issue will be resolved in the presidential race ahead.
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