Last week, I posted about how a phone call from my daughter moved me to action. I’ve decided to no longer remain silent on my political beliefs. I promised to examine causes and solutions to the moral and political dysfunction of my former (Republican) party and provide a pipeline for discussion and action.
This is the first of my efforts.
Today’s hottest political potato is the Equality Act.
Not only would this bill amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to provide protections for LGBTQ individuals and women, it would change the way the “rights” in that bill will be protected.
It passed congress last week by 224-206 and immediately became a textbook example of how peripheral politics have become the basis for forming opinions and making decisions in our nation at the expense of reason and principle.
Reporting on the bill, Politico pointed to the personal feud between Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Marie Newman (D-Ill.) over LBGTQ rights as an obstacle to the Republicans being able to “sensitively communicate why they are opposed.” And mirroring numerous memes spreading across social media, the rhetoric coming from many legislators is filled with references to girls’ sports and bathroom access.
In addition to these distractions from substance, is an immediate shift in focus to political logistics in the Senate. Will the Democrats be able to raise the sixty votes necessary to end a Republican filibuster? Will they be able to keep their own in line and swing enough Republican senators to pass the bill?
Let me be very clear. I believe that pregnant women, nursing mothers and members of the LGBTQ community are valued members of our national family and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Their rights should be protected by both society and the government. My difference of opinion with liberals on this matter has to do with how we should go about protecting those rights.
The message that is not getting out is that there are rational objections to federal action in this case in general and this bill specifically.
Over the next few days, I will attempt to outline my questions about the bill which are:
- Is there really a crisis to be handled here?
- Is there a better way to solve this problem?
- What are some of the unforeseen consequences of this legislation?
I hope you will read and join in a civil discussion.
Next Time: Is there a LGBTQ crisis?
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