A seat at the table: GOProud and Ann Coulter

When I was more involved with HRC, I would frequently get angry at how HRC is little more than an arm of the Democratic Party. Whether it's refusing to reach out to Republican candidates, signing on to left wing agenda items like pro-choice initiatives and Obamacare, or pre-emptively endorsing Obama before the GOP even has a candidate, there is plenty to be frustrated with HRC. Many members don't even pretend anymore - they are happy HRC is locked in with the Democrats' agenda.

I was ready to cut off all ties from HRC when a good friend of mine pointed out, it's hard to make change or even be part of the discussion if you don't have a seat at the table. She observed, if I left HRC, there would be no one locally to point out the shortcomings of the group. Nobody to advocate for less partisan events and initiatives that conservatives and liberals alike can work on for the benefit of the GLBT community. To effect change in the local HRC group, I had to have a seat at their table - so I could work from within. Likewise, HRC clearly does have a seat at both the President's and DNC's tables. They are effective at reaching out to Democrats and pushing their issues.

I thought about this - and this seemed to fit with my ideas about the GOP. There is a lot to like about the Republicans, but there's also a lot to get angry about. Some in the party clearly show their hypocrisy when advocating "small government" then completely ignoring that foundational tenet when it doesn't suit them on social issues. Still, even with the indifference, ignorance, or in some cases (many fewer than liberals would have you believe) animosity towards gays in the GOP, it's still my party. And it's my job to stay involved, promote it's fundamental positions, and make it better. I want to promote limited government, free markets, strong national defense, etc. To do this I need to stay involved in the GOP - keeping my seat at the table.

The sad thing is, national LGBT groups like HRC are either unwilling or incapable (both?) at finding a seat at the GOPs table. They spend their time villainizing Republicans as a whole, name calling conservatives, and all the while congratulating the Democrat's for doing very little. This is counter-productive. We need GOP votes for things like gay marriage and other priorities. Yet HRC seems more interested in maintaining enemies than making friends and changing minds.

Enter GOProud. This group has assembled an all-star cast of conservatives on its advisory board. It's building relationships with many Republicans in congress. It' establishing a rapport with the policymakers and the populous alike. Yet it gets slammed for doing this! Ann Coulter has agreed to be on its advisory board - a huge deal! While I don't agree with Ms. Coulter on many things - she's an important, forceful, and incredibly visible figure in the conservative movement. By agreeing to the advisory position at GOProud, Ann Coulter is publicly defending and announcing the right for gays to have a seat the conservative's table. Now that we have that seat - it's time to use it and make a change. While HRC's contempt for Republicans has made it impossible for them to change the hearts and mind of the party, GOProud has effectively made visible the place for gays in the GOP.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

It has been awhile - Cheers to Prop 8

I haven't been keeping up on my blog posts lately - and I apologize. Hopefully I will be more consistent in the future.

But for now, lets celebrate the ruling on Prop 8!

Rebuilding

Its time to rebuild the Republican Party.

1. Make a small government. We need the government to provide infrastructure, law enforcement, military protection, and other areas that the private sector cannot effectively do (ex. curiosity based research). The federal government should not be trying to solve everyones problems.

2. Focus on the economy and support the free market. Embrace globalization, even with the hardship of outsourcing. It will be best for the workers in the long run when new jobs are created, and cheaper products can be bought. Resist raising the minimum wage even with accusations of being heartless - it causes jobs to be loss, hurting more than it helps.

3. Be adamant in federalism. The states have rights. Lets not take them away. Why give the states power, yet take it away when the party disagrees with states decisions? Perfect example, let state courts and legislature decide on gay marriage. When they allow it, don't get angry and push for a nationwide ban. Encourage state and local activism.

4. Reduce both taxes and spending. Don't do one without the other. The last 8 years have not been managed correctly.

5. Stay pro-life. But don't alienate those who disagree.

6. Support the military. R&D for the military helps the private sector. But when decreasing government spending, make sure to include the military when looking for inefficiencies.

7. Fix healthcare. Offer a plan that rejects government sponsored healthcare for a market driven solution. We don't want to lose the scientific breakthroughs that are made because of competition in the market. We are the leaders in the biomedical sciences for a reason.

8. Learn science. Become educated. Ex: 1) Stem cells do not come from aborted fetuses. They come from unused embryos in IVF. Big difference. 2) Fruit fly research is not a pet project. A little education will go a long way in policy.

9. Expand the base. Don't let liberals claim whole groups. Gays, women, minorities, and the poor do not belong to them. We need to embrace them, and explain why specific policies (ex: equal wages for equal work) would be more symbolic than actually helping them.

10. Bring back intellectualism. William Buckley Jr. shouldn't be the only one. We need to foster conservative intellectualism - more than just the WSJ and the National Review. Bashing liberal academics doesn't make our ideas any better. Fund research and institutions that will revisit the academic roots of the party. Don't sacrifice academic integrity to reach out to the everyday man. That said, don't be arrogant either.

There are many more things to do, but this is a good start. Let's not lose hope. We've got 4 more years and then another try!

Starting Here

As the first post for this blog, I want to explain my rationale for why I am writing.

I am tired. I am tired of candidates, parties, organizations, or individuals speaking for entire groups of people.

How can bloggers and columnists claim that John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin for VP is an "insult to all women." Do they speak for all women? Should Sarah Palin be insulted? And what of the millions of American women who will vote for the ticket?

Why should teachers be forced to be in a union? A union whose monies and efforts go towards candidates that many teachers don't support? Are these leaders so wise to know what is beneficial for each individual teacher?

As a gay man, I am frustrated with people telling me repeatedly that I am "voting against my own interest," or that I am "self-loathing," or that I will realize I am truly "a liberal at heart."

Yes, the GOP isn't perfect. No, I do not agree with John McCain on every issue. But I believe in many conservative ideals. And because I am conservative does make me any less a part of the gay community.

Both sides like to claim they are in touch with entire groups of people. I am simply stating that because I am a gay man, does not mean that my vote is predetermined to be cast for a liberal. I vote on more than gay issues. My identity is not contained in the word gay. I am first and foremost a Christian, then a human being, a scientist, a friend, etc., and somewhere down the line, gay. Being gay is part of who I am, and I embrace that. But it does not define me.

With this blog, I want to show the diversity of views within the gay community. I want to counter the anger from the gay community towards republicans, conservatives, fundamentalists, and Christian churches. I feel that the gay community responds with the same hostile attitudes that these groups are accused of displaying.

Lets restart the dialogue. Somewhere along the way, it got very one-sided.