Reply #72: the president may "serve all the people," but it is not possible for him

[Tansy_Gold]

to agree with all of them.

And that's the tricky territory any president has to negotiate.

There is a faction in this country, a faction which is "served" by the president, that is vigorously opposed to any kind of support, recognition, or equality for GLBQT people. There is another faction, also "served" by the president, that is vigorously pushing for equality for GLBQT people. The president cannot agree with both factions, yet he must "serve" both factions.

On this particular issue, *I* would argue, were I president, that granting equal rights to GLBQT people, including the repeal of DADT, does not infringe upon the rights of those opposed to such rights. Homophobic people are still permitted to marry, divorce, adopt, serve in the military, etc. None of their rights are being diminished. Their feelings and sensibilities may be hurt, but that's too bad. The president's job isn't to make them feel good. It's to serve the people, serve them equally and fairly.

What's happened in this administration, however, is that there has been little movement toward the progressive notion of equal rights for ALL PEOPLE, and that's what has the progressive community grumbling and complaining.

The Obama administration has taken a policy of NOT serving all the people as robustly as we feel they should have. It is difficult for us to refrain from criticizing when we see policies and actions that run counter to our platform.


TG, NTY

(correcting one very stupid typo and hoping there are no others)