Welcome to The Queerty Query, where we raise questions and ask you, the readers, to weigh in. Sometimes the questions will be funny, sometimes they’ll be serious—it all depends what the chatter around the water cooler is.
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We’re all coming down from the adrenaline rush of Election Night, and it’s got us thinking: We snagged Barack Obama for another go—so now what?
Even the 90% of us who voted for him aren’t 100% happy with the job the President has done so far—whether it’s taking too long to “evolve” on marriage equality or dragging his feet in the Middle East. What should be Obama’s first order of business when he’s sworn into office again in January?
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Should he use his political power to grease the wheels on repealing DOMA and passing ENDA? Increase resources for LGBT youth—or seniors?
Is it time to hunker down on the economy, which seems to ever-so-slowly be crawling toward recovery?
Did immigration not get the fair due it deserved during the campaign? Is health care or foreign policy more pressing?
Give President Obama his mandate in the comment section below!
jeff4justice
1) Stop drone attacking people
2) Stop fighting to keep NDAA
3) End warentless wiretapping
4) End foreign aid until all US poverty is ended
5) End the needless lie-based wars that are Obama’s wars now
6) Stop persecuting marijuana users
7) Re-investigate 9-11 and Bush’s war crimes
8) Pass a full definite equality for all people bill
That’ be a good start.
But all we’ll get with the 2-partysystem is more war, poverty, and erosion of civil liberties in an expanded big-brother/nanny state.
MikeE
@jeff4justice: try asking the Republicans to fulfill your wishlist.
Michael
Be a liberal…a true liberal.
niles
As far as the gays go, just keep doing what you’re doing. It’s working. As for the second term: Latinos are owed big time, Mr. President. You best get serious about immigration reform or pull a Reagan and give a blanket amnesty – or they won’t stick around in the Dem tent much longer.
Dumdum
@jeff4justice: Could somebody please change that broken record, I want to hear something fresh with a good beat that we can all dance to. OK so what I WANT is The Barbie Dream House, a shiny new red bicycle and a puppy.
2nd Class Citizen
End DOMA so my partner of 29 years and I can get legally married!
AFJoe
@jeff4justice:
1) They could use manned aircraft and risk our pilots as well as have a much smaller time to observe the proposed targets. RPAs are doing just fine.
2) So… de-fund the DOD? Okay, that ends well. (Imagine the thickest sarcasm here)
3) Point. Can’t disagree here.
4) And watch the economy of numerous nations fall apart and descend into chaos.
5) OIF (Iraq) was wrapped up in DEC11, OEF (Afghanistan) is on its way to ending in 2014. By the way, both were totally legal. We had approval from the UN. And for OEF we had and still have broad international/coalition support to wrap up the mission.
6) Talk to Congress about decriminalizing this one. That is a bit outside the President’s power.
7) I’m sorry what? You’re really going to go off the deep-end here and talk about 9/11 conspiracy theories? Contrary to what you believe the military is not a wind-up toy and no American would assist in that disaster. Every time one of you bring that up it dirties the memory of those we lost. Besides, what war crimes? You should actually take some time to read up on LOAC. No Uniform or Identification as a legal combatant = No Rights as a combatant.
8) Congress again, but I agree it would be nice.
Personally, I would like to see a solid repeal of DOMA, at least section 3 (which he supports). Beyond that, comprehensive campaign reform and reducing congressional salary and benefits to a more sustainable level would be cool.
Full story here: http://www.queerty.com/question-what-do-you-want-from-president-obama-in-his-second-term-20121108/#ixzz2BeefhFDW
jeff4justice
@MikeE: Try voting for the same 2-party system over and over and we’ll see how that stops war, poverty, and erosion of civil liberties. But at least Obomber is gay friendly.
And by Republicans do you mean the Republicans who Democrats blamed for their failure to pass progressive legislation when they were in control after Obama’s ’08 win yet can’t seem to obstruct the Republicans from anything? The same Democrats who want social services for the poor on the negoiating table? The same Democrats who helped vote in Alito and Roberts to the Supreme Court.
The way the Democrats have moved so far to the right is like a frog in boiling water.
But now that Democrats have total legislative power here in CA I’m sure it will be a utopia any day.
jeff4justice
@Dumdum: Same to you x2. When one cannot refute then deflect.
jeff4justice
@AFJoe:
1) If collateral damage is ethical then all the gays who want to pass equality legislation without trans protections are ethical too right? Also, as we saw in the war propaganda movie Act of Valor the military is perfectly capable of on-the-ground targeted assassination. Drones kill way too many innocent people to be justified and only provoke more hostiles from other nations. It’s lazy, it’s cowardly, it’s unethical.
2) So the 2-party system always has en excuse to do something unethical? NDAA will be in the hands of Republicans one day. Also, the courts have stuck down NDAA and Obama is trying to keep NDAA.
Ben Swann Reality Check: Obama Administration Demanded Power to Detain US Citizens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mh7763cxzc
Ben Swann interviews President Obama (NDAA, Kill List, Syria, Afghanistan)
http://youtu.be/ceobsac7LE8
3) Good, we agree.
4) You mean watch America have half a nation in poverty and 16 trillion in debt? As a person in poverty myself then you should have no problem sending me a donation regardless of your financial situation.
5) Well if you think the UN should dictate how Ameirca operates then we’ll never be on the same page there. Also, Obama and his team wanted to stay in Iraq. How many “contractors” are still there? Also, Obama continues drone bombing several countries. And I doubt we’ll be out of Afghanistan by 2014. Knowing these 2-party system warmongerers we’ll be in another way by then.
Obama’s Iraq ambassador: I wanted troops to remain in Iraq
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/11/01/obama_s_iraq_ambassador_i_wanted_troops_to_remain_in_iraq
Iraq rejects US request to maintain bases after troop withdrawal
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433×803775
Casualty, if “legal” means ethical then it’s ok that gays do not have equal rights.
6) No it’s not outside the President’s power. His Justice Department continues terrorizing medical marijuana users. Where were the Democrats in this when they had control in 2008?
7) Actually many 9-11 family survivors want a new 9-11 investigation. Should death row victims not have cases re-opened because it might piss of murder victims’ families? Too bad. The government’s official story is one wild ass conspiracy. How many times has the US government killed people, lied, and covered up it’s crimes?
8) As Jill Stein said, the President can be an advocate if he/she wants to be.
Your wishlist for campaign reform and reducing congressional salary and benefits will never happen under the 2-party system. When have they ever, EVER passed a law that stuck to reduce their power without undoing it or canceling it out with other law later? Never.
LubbockGayMale
How about getting a ‘commission’ or some group to look over the mass of Federal Laws that are outdated, repressive, invasive of personal rights, etc. Surely to goodness there’s 1000s of laws we could dump without consequence. First of all, LEGALIZE gay marriage, of course. But then look at legalizing and regulating recreational drugs, ALL of them. Tax the hell out of them, of course, like liquor and tobacco. Then toss out all non-violent convicts with drug convictions, and close down 60% of the prisons. Eliminate the IRS and implement a sales tax or value added tax at a very low rate with everyone paying the tax! Make the NRA really mad, and threaten to make gun possession illegal, then settle for out-sized tax on all ammunitions!
mikeinwny
Cut spending, taxes and the deficit:
1. Slash entitlements, which restores self-responsibility and provides capital for organic job creation
2. Get the government out of the marriage business altogether.
3. Legalize drugs, which will reduce the disproportionate share of minority incarceration and save money that is wasted on the war on drugs.
4. Close the vast majority of our foreign military bases.
5. Stop meddling in the affairs of foreign countries.
6. Eliminate the Federal Reserve and fiat money. This will end the dollar devaluation that hits the poor and middle classes hardest.
7. Eliminate the bureaucratic nightmare that is strangling education. Restore control to the local level, increasing responsiveness and ending the failed one-size-fits-all approach.
8. Reverse the domestic security policies that violate our natural rights and privacy.
AxelDC
Take on global warming.
jmmartin
Tell your attorney-general to ignore D.O.M.A. Pick two or three anti-Scalian associate justices for SCOTUS. Quit prosecuting minor possessions of marijuana. Expose the anti-Planned Parenthood agenda for what it is: an attempt to ignore the First Amendment’s separation doctrine and allow Catholic-evangelical dogma to dictate political positions to anti-American elected officials.
alterego1980
@jeff4justice: Don’t go too hard on Roberts. He single-handedly saved Obamacare. That was no fluke.
Otherwise- I would like to see him renew his effort to work with congress, and that means republicans. I’m pretty moderate when it comes down to it. I don’t expect anyone to sing Kumbaya in the capital building but they should improve the tone of discourse. It will help pass better economic reforms in a bipartisan way (i.e. taxes and spending).
He should also lead on repealing DOMA so that the federal Gov will have to recognize state marriage laws. Immigration reform is also important. They should at least pass the DREAM act and make it permanent.
jeff4justice
@AFJoe: @AFJoe:
1) If collateral damage is ethical then all the gays who want to pass equality legislation without trans protections are ethical too right? Also, as we saw in the war propaganda movie Act of Valor the military is perfectly capable of on-the-ground targeted assassination. Drones kill way too many innocent people to be justified and only provoke more hostiles from other nations. It’s lazy, it’s cowardly, it’s unethical.
2) So the 2-party system always has en excuse to do something unethical? NDAA will be in the hands of Republicans one day. Also, the courts have stuck down NDAA and Obama is trying to keep NDAA.
Online search:
Ben Swann Reality Check: Obama Administration Demanded Power to Detain US Citizens
Ben Swann interviews President Obama (NDAA, Kill List, Syria, Afghanistan)
3) Good, we agree.
4) You mean watch America have half a nation in poverty and 16 trillion in debt? As a person in poverty myself then you should have no problem sending me a donation regardless of your financial situation.
5) Well if you think the UN should dictate how Ameirca operates then we’ll never be on the same page there. Also, Obama and his team wanted to stay in Iraq. How many “contractors” are still there? Also, Obama continues drone bombing several countries. And I doubt we’ll be out of Afghanistan by 2014. Knowing these 2-party system warmongerers we’ll be in another way by then.
Online search:
Obama’s Iraq ambassador: I wanted troops to remain in Iraq
Iraq rejects US request to maintain bases after troop withdrawal
Casualty, if “legal” means ethical then it’s ok that gays do not have equal rights.
6) No it’s not outside the President’s power. His Justice Department continues terrorizing medical marijuana users. Where were the Democrats in this when they had control in 2008?
7) Actually many 9-11 family survivors want a new 9-11 investigation. Should death row victims not have cases re-opened because it might piss of murder victims’ families? Too bad. The government’s official story is one wild ass conspiracy. How many times has the US government killed people, lied, and covered up it’s crimes?
8) As Jill Stein said, the President can be an advocate if he/she wants to be.
Your wishlist for campaign reform and reducing congressional salary and benefits will never happen under the 2-party system. When have they ever, EVER passed a law that stuck to reduce their power without undoing it or canceling it out with other law later? Never.
jeff4justice
@alterego1980: It must be nice to have faith in the 2-party system.
Obama/Romeny/Wellpointcare is nothing but bigger government and more monopoly for the insurance companies. Nothing like government defining “affordable” for people in poverty.
As one who supports Obamacare let nothing stop you from sending me a donation via PayPal to help me buy much needed new glasses. just add @gmail.com to my ID handle.
Online search:
HuffPo Obama Health Care Law Tax Penalty Will Hit 6 Million Uninsured: CBO
Bill Moyers: ‘Look Who’s Really Writing the Healthcare Bill
2 liberal sources there.
jeff4justice
IS the over-zealous Queerty spam filter blocking all links now? Seems like it.
Ronbo
@Dumdum: You are a true dick. Unless you prefer to be imprisoned without trial…for life. How about being assassinated? How about your family being killed by a drone?
I wish upon you, exactly what you wish upon others. Dick.
Freddie27
1. Repeal DOMA with the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act.
2. Pass ENDA, the Student Non-Discrimination Act, the Uniting American Families Act and end the ban on trans service members.
3. Repeal the Controlled Substances Act and allow states to go their own way on drug policy, both recreational and medicinal.
4. Repeal the National Minimum Drinking Age Act and allow states to set their own drinking ages.
5. End the war in Afghanistan by the end of the year.
6. Close large numbers of obsolete US military bases around the world.
7. Significantly cut defense spending.
8. End signature drone strikes and the kill list.
9. Repeal the National Defense Authorization Act.
10. End warrantless wiretapping, indefinite detention, extraordinary rendition, enhanced interrogation.
11. Close Guantanamo Bay and transfer detainees to civilian courts.
12. Abolish the Federal death penalty.
13. Begin covert funding and arming of Syrian rebels.
14. Pass Cap-and-Trade legislation to begin reducing the US’ greenhouse gas emissions, as well as providing tax credits and funding to green energy projects.
15. Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act to reduce income inequity between men and women.
16. Pass the Freedom of Choice Act to make reproductive freedom the law of the land,
17. Appoint strong liberals to the Supreme Court.
18. Pass the American Jobs Act to bring unemployed Americans back to work and rebuilding the US’ vital infrastructure.
19. End ALL the Bush tax cuts, for ALL income levels to properly fund the Federal government and social programs.
20. No spending cuts to social programs, only on defense.
21. Work to pass a constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United ruling and to publicly fund all elections.
22. Enact a Gun Control Act that bans assault weapons, cop-killer bullets, high-powered magazines and ends the Gun Show loophole.
23. Work to amend the constitution to make congressional redistricting the purview of independent Commissions.
24. Sign the US up to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
25. Enact a Federal law that mandates two weeks of early voting, makes voting day a federal holiday and provides for automatic registration upon turning 18.