A Letter to Hillary Clinton
I received a postage paid request today from Senator Hillary Clinton asking me for money so they could “elect a Democratic Senate”. A few thoughts on this, and life...
Never sacrafice your principles for anyone. If you win by doing that, you have lost. Never vote for someone or support someone who is “less bad” than the alternative.
There is good and bad, right and wrong, just and unjust, equal and unequal. These are absolutes. They are not bargaining chips and they are not negotiable. You do, or you do not. You support equality, or you do not support equality. You support what is right, or you do not support what is right. It really is black and white. These are absolutes.
This was my response to Senator Clinton’s request for my financial support.
March 13, 2006
Dear Senator Clinton:
I received your request for financial support today. In your first sentence you state, “If there has ever been a time in America’s history that called for strong leadership, long-range vision, and the courage to confront our most serious problems, that time is now. Sadly, the Republican Part does not agree.”
Senator Clinton, sadly, the Democratic Party seems to be unable to get their collective mind together to get anything done. Honestly, do you know what you stand for? Apparently nothing.
The Democratic Party basically rolled over and played dead as John Roberts and Samuel Alito were confirmed to the Supreme Court. This is your “vision”? I can understand that the Democratic Party is not the majority party at this point in time, but I hear very little from any of you on any given issue, except for Senator Harry Reid.
And now, you want my financial help? That has to be earned, and NONE OF YOU HAVE EARNED IT.
I have been with my partner for the last 31 years. That’s right, we are what you would call a “same-sex couple”. And you, Senator, have stated that you do not support marriage equality for couples like us. A quote from you:
“Marriage has got historic, religious and moral content that goes back to the beginning of time, and I think a marriage is as a marriage always has been, between a man and a woman.”
So let me ask you one question:
Why the hell should I support bigotry by supporting you?
Are there bigger issues facing our country than gay marriage? Yes, there certainly are. But, you don’t build a party by actively supporting a system the advocates the existence of a tier of citizens who are second-class. And that concept is more important than any issue facing our country.
Until you support equality for all people, you may take me off your mailing list because I will not give you time of day. I no longer wish to receive your mailings.
Sincerely,
Bill Cannon
And, I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Mrs Clinton, the former first lady and wife of President Bill Clinton is widely believed to be considering standing to become the Democrat’s nominee for the next Presidential election.
Alan Van Capelle, a leading gay rights activist, who represents the Empire State Pride Agenda, said Mrs Clinton was “a complete disappointment” over her opposition to same-sex marriage and her support for a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.
In a memo to board members he said that he refused to “lend my name and sell tickets” to any event raising funds for Mrs Clinton’s campaign to be re-elected as a senator, and eventually to seek the nomination of the Democrat party. He said supporting such fund-raisers for Mrs Clinton would “actually hurt” the gay and lesbian community. (source)
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Yeah. Got the same letter. Recycled it with the same thoughts. Thanks for taking the time to tell them why their fundraiser will fail.
Though this ain't my burning issue - at least it's an issue.
Meanwhile, there are plenty of more principled organizations and people I am supporting with cash, energy, and time.
I don't care which party of crooks does the right thing in the end - I'll buy whoever works.
I agree that it can be difficult to compromise. I think that each person has to do what they feel is right in their mind. For me, I may not vote at all.
You see, I find it hypocritical to be ragging about someone on this site (Hillary), and then turn around and vote for her, because others are worse. I'd honestly rather not vote if it comes down to that, because I would feel that I had abandoned my principles and what I believe in, along with my INTEGRITY.
The only way I could rationalize that in my mind would be to conclude that the person I voted for was, although I didn't see eye to eye with them on issues, they really did believe in their conclusions. I don't know what Hillary believes, because she is too busy blowing smoke up everyone's ass. If she'd come out and say that she supported a person's right to burn the American flag and say horrible things about America because democracy isn't easy, I could overlook the fact that she doesn't support gay marriage - at least she believes strongly in something and not constantly checking to see what direction with wind of opinion is blowing.
The feeling I get from Hillary is that she'd sell her mother for a vote.
Wow, was I startled to see this post. Not because I disagree, but because I had a postage-paid return envelope that I saved from the same mailing, and I was in the process of writing pretty much the response to Hillary!
In addition, I am APALLED at her 'flag burning' ammendment support - pandering pure and simple. I cannot believe that she thinks you effectively defend freedom by eliminating freedoms. She's not sincere or trustworthy, but she's sure as hell not stupid. Like her hubby before her, though, she is kissing the asses of people who will NEVER support her, at the expense of those who might.
I don't actually agree with your point about "never vote for the less-bad", because I do feel as though I should vote, and if I waited for a candidate that represented my views precisely, well, I would never have voted yet. Sadly it DOES come often down to a compromise, a lesser of evils. So, as for 2008, if I have a choice between Hillary and McCain, it's actually difficult, probably McCain (and a republican vote from ME would be a FIRST) If it's between a Hillary and a Trent Lott, it's an easy vote for Hillary. Though I might throw my vote to whoever the Green party runs if the major parties make it just too nauseating to cast a vote for them.
But none of them can expect a campaign contribution until somehow someone somewhere out there evolves the cajones to openly support gay rights and EQUALITY.
YOU GO BOY!!!