Really Just Chump Change

by Charles Karel Bouley II

Because of my job in talk radio, I probably listen to more political speeches, pay attention to more editorials and listen to more pundits than most. And there can be no doubt that after Super Tuesday, even though Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton won California, Barack Hussein Obama fever spread, and his momentum has increased exponentially. He won the “Potomac Primaries” by substantial margins, and if Hillary can’t stop him with a “firewall” in Texas and Ohio, well, the convention could get ugly.

The fever, the mantra, the theme driving the cult of Obama is “change.” At every speech we can hear all about change, how it needs to come, to happen, how he’s the person to bring about that change. He never really goes into the exact things he’d change or how to change them specifically, but I guess policy isn’t pretty or sexy enough for a speech. Meanwhile, at Camp Hillary, it’s all about experience and the ability to actually make the changes. Hillary has been better at laying out her policies, which is why she’s losing; people don’t want a know-it-all, they want someone they “like.” This will forever be the Sally Field elections—the “you like me, you really really like me” elections.

That being said, I’ve heard about this change for some time now. I’ve read about it, on both sides. The problem is, I’m gay, and truth be told, we’re getting chump change this election year, as always. We’re getting pandering and “make nice” appearances, but no real changes.

First, Obama has said he would repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Well, good for him. But Bill Clinton said he’d get rid of the ban on gays in the military all together and we got “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” So, what will we actually get when the generals get involved, Congress, the Senate ... we’ll see how much of a priority Obama makes it in this time of war and conflict. And even if he champions it, we’ll see how far it goes.

But Clinton says the same thing when speaking to the gay community. She says the safest thing for American soldiers is for gay men and women to be able to serve openly. Again, neither address how they’ll get around the opposition to this. They both act like it won’t be there.

And yes, they both are better than the best Republican. But that being said, is it real change? They both oppose same-sex marriage but support domestic partnerships. Again, getting Congress and the gay community to agree on a federal civil union statute would take precious legislative time, and we know those first 100 days are important. Will this come up then? Doubtful.

Real change would be a candidate that promises full equality for all American citizens, period. That’s all we really need from a candidate.

We don’t need anyone to pander about gay rights. We simply need to have all the same rights as those who are not gay. If a man can marry a woman, then it is clear-cut gender discrimination to not let a man marry a man or a woman marry a woman. Under the law, it’s clear-cut discrimination and the Supreme Court knows it. It’s social policy, not legal, that keeps same-sex marriage illegal. So, treat us legally under the law here, and all is well.

The same for the military. Simply allow us to be as open about our lives as any other soldier, give our partners the same respect and benefits, and our unions the same level of recognition. Simple, equality.

The change America needs is real equality, be it economic, ethnic, personal, private ... equality. Not just gays, but all Americans. And no candidate has promised that much change.

Gay couples have homes in foreclosure and might face even more challenges because of the way their deals have to be structured. Who’s throwing them a lifeline? Gay men and women need healthcare and have special needs in some instances, the same as their non-gay counterparts. Gay people need change in every category of which the candidates speak. And one more, one promised by the founders, one denied us for years: true equality.

I have always said gays and lesbians don’t need any new hate crime legislation, any special provisions under the law. We simply need what every other American can get more easily than we: equality in all legal and social areas.

When a candidate starts talking about equality on all levels for all Americans, including gays and lesbians, then I’ll truly sense change is in the air.

Until then, it’s just more chump change. And we should let the candidates know that we are aware of this, and we are not chumps. We’ll go with them because they are the only game in town, but if they want anything more than our vote, as in our money, then they need to start actually changing one thing: their view of our community. We are not a special interest group to which to pander during an election and then leave alone. We are Americans who are being deprived basic human rights. So stop acting like helping us is doing someone a favor. We are Americans. We deserve it. And you, and all the other candidates from day one until now, should be embarrassed for acting any other way.