this post was submitted on 24 Nov 2023
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[–] [email protected] 21 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

I'm aware of that first part, but I'm not quite sure how it's possible to make a moral argument that basic human rights shouldn't be towards the very top of your list. The unfortunate reality of the matter is that even in the off chance your local R isn't completely awful, the policies that will be implemented on a national level if they manage to take control of the presidency again are. Voting for an R is a tacit endorsement of those policies.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 11 months ago (1 children)

They’re a Republican. They don’t view LGBT issues as a human rights issue in the first place. It’s a political issue for them. Hence why they can reconcile that their opinion vs the party platform.

Again, that’s why they said they’re not anti-lgbt rather than saying they’re pro-lgbt.

They can disagree with the Republican Party on LGBT issues, because it’s a political issue for them and not a human rights issue.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Idk man. It just seems like you’re saying “political issue” but what you mean is “doesn’t affect them”.

And I think the whole they’re not “anti” these people they just don’t care enough about them to vote for them to have basic protections is a tough sell. At some point it’s a forced choice, and sitting out isn’t really an option.

I guess maybe it’s how they truly see it, but it doesn’t stand up to much scrutiny.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

It just seems like you’re saying “political issue” but what you mean is “doesn’t affect them”.

Yeah, that is exactly what I said and what I meant. It was my point. Thank you for getting the point?

At some point it’s a forced choice, and sitting out isn’t really an option.

Idk, the fact that the Log Cabin Republicans exist kinda proves that it is. Even LGBT people can reconcile Republican ideals and their own LGBT identity. It's much easier for someone that isn't LGBT to ignore LGBT issues. And the majority of people wont have someone close to them be LGBT, making it even easier to not care about them.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Yea it is easier for them to ignore. Choosing to ignore it is still a choice. And the effect of that choice is the continued suspension of human rights. There is no true option of sitting out.

The point is framing it as a “political issue” takes the responsibility off of them. Again, it’s true they see it that way, but all I hear is they only care about themselves.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

This sounds an awful lot like a repudiation of "vote blue no matter who" but from the opposite angle. The fact of the matter is that different people place different priorities on different issues. Everyone these days seems to think that all people need to have the perfect opinion on every subject but I think that's crazy. Take the wins you can get and leave the rest for later.

Personally I think that means that Democrats need to bide their time on several issues. If they would make a commitment to let guns, abortion (would have been easier 4 years ago), and LGBT issues lie for an entire election cycle, and make the general electorate believe that's a real promise, they could get so much other shit done. I know people here are going to start in on how such a statement is unfair to trans people, women, victims of gun violence, etc, but there's no denying the fact that those issues are sticking points for huge amounts of voters.

You don't even have to concede any arguments to do what I'm suggesting either. All you need to do is acknowledge that we have other things we could work on before we cross those bridges. If you look at polling data most Americans agree with Democrats on solutions to problems like healthcare, the tax code, and labor laws. If we could implement even semi progressive laws around these issues we would improve the lives of everyone in America, including those most impacted by the issues above. Why would we not do that and then go back to our usual bickering along political lines?

When it comes down to it we're not gaining anything by insisting on purity tests for these positions that only drive voter engagement for conservatives. Just table them for now and work on what can realistically be accomplished. The alternative is not more progress for more people, it's more of this culture war bullshit, and that doesn't help anyone at all. Isn't that the worst option on the table?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Democrats need to bide their time on several issues.... LGBT issues lie for an entire election cycle

The problem is a lot of damage can be done in one election cycle. Just this year so far? 590 anti-trans bills have been proposed and 85 anti-trans bills have passed in the US: https://translegislation.com

[–] [email protected] -3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

And how did those bills get passed? Republicans were able to pass them because some voters are so worried about their guns and drag queen story hour that they refused to vote for Democrats. You're making my point for me. Anything is better than regression, including no progress at all.

I bet leaving guns alone would be enough by itself but Democrats just can't stop themselves from poking that beehive even though they know damn well that no meaningful legislation will come from it. They're not gaining any voters or changing any laws by making it a sticking point but they're definitely losing voters because of it. If you know you can't make anything happen then why bring up something that's only going to hurt you? Fight that battle on the day you can win it and until then keep your mouth shut about it.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

I never stated whether I was pro or con guns, so I don't need the lecture. I was simply pointing out that you can't just sit out an election cycle when it comes to human rights

[–] [email protected] -1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Call it what you want, that way of doing things hasn't seen much of any major progress since the civil rights movement. The moral high ground seems rather pointless to claim if all you're doing is watching things deteriorate from an elevated position.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

I don't see how putting human rights on hold will somehow make things work any faster, better or more efficiently. My rights as a human are up for grabs, and somehow thats me "watching things deteriorate from an elevated position"? lol, ok buddy. You're being unreasonably hostile right now so I'm disengaging. Enjoy your holidays if you celebrate them.