[Winona Online Democracy] Orv, Sorry, what I meant was in your first interpretation, definitely not the second! My question was meant as an admittedly cheap shot at the Republican Party, which I think is validated by today's headlines. I'm not sure how far you're going back in history when you say Republicans have traditionally been very pro civil rights. I could see that being somewhat (only somewhat) true for moderates of the Gerald Ford or Nelson Rockefeller era, but at least from Reagan's time onward I think instead that Republicans have in reality stood for protecting the rights and privileges of the socially advantaged. More and more, they're even willing to engage in big spending and intrusive, religiously-motivated policy in order to bolster the domestic power structure.
Sure, Republican rhetoric emphasizes individual rights over government intervention or the collective will. And sure, that has appeal to people who just want to be left alone to live their lives, and apparently it wins elections. My puzzlement relates to why members of marginalized, disenfranchised groups (GLBT folks, the working poor, people of color, farmers, people with disabilities, welfare moms, arguably even educators) would think that getting government off their backs would be their main worry. It's the same kind of puzzlement I feel when supporters (&/or employees) of public education vote for politicians who pledge allegiance to radical tax cut beliefs. Anyhow, whatever your political persuasion...precinct caucuses are next Tuesday at 7:00 PM...it's our chance at the local level to influence State and National candidates and policies. Everyone is welcome! Could one of the moderators perhaps list the locations for the various parties? That information is available at the County Auditor's office, if you need it. Scott >Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 06:22:09 -0600 >From: Orval Lund <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: [Winona] Scott Lowery's question >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" > >"The thing I'm still puzzling about though is this...why >would advocates of GLBT human rights affiliate with the Republican Party?? >Scott Lowery" > >Your question is ambiguous, Scott. Do you mean that you've been >surprised to find so many Republicans advocates of GLBT, or do you >mean you are looking for arguments to convince Republicans to >advocate GLBT, or what? > >If it's the first, I'd say that Republicans have historically (though >perhaps this is not so strong as it used to be) been very pro civil >rights and privacy issues. If it's the second, I'd use the same >argument I'd use for anyone: Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and >transexuals are human beings like anyone else and, hence, as entitled >as anyone to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If it's >"or what," I don't know what to say. > >Orval Lund > > >-- >"There are years that ask questions and years that answer."--Zora Neale >Hurston > > > >------------------------------ > >_______________________________________________ >Winona mailing list >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona > > >End of Winona Digest, Vol 2, Issue 22 >************************************* _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
