TGF Publisher JoAnn Roberts Supports Obama
I believe it is time to take a stance on the upcoming election. My personal support goes to Senator Barack Obama. The two Obama positions cited here are just for starters:
Combat Employment Discrimination
Obama will work to overturn the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that curtails racial minorities’ and women’s ability to challenge pay discrimination. Obama will also pass the Fair Pay Act to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.Expand Hate Crimes Statutes
Obama will strengthen federal hate crimes legislation, expand hate crimes protection by passing the Matthew Shepard Act, and reinvigorate enforcement at the Department of Justice’s Criminal Section.
I am also concerned about the future of the Supreme Court as well as dealing with more immediate issues such as the economy and healthcare. I don’t believe the Republicans should be given another chance to screw it all up one more time.
I am speaking here only for myself. I urge everyone who reads TGForum to pay close attention to the candidates, what they say and examine their positions on issues that you care about.
If you feel so moved, post your comments here. I am not offering to debate anyone. I’m not out to convince you my candidate is best or change your mind about your candidate. I am offering a forum to air your views.
Regardless of which candidate you support, you must vote and make your voice heard.
JoAnn Roberts
Editor-in-Chief & Publisher, TGForum
Author, a Bill of Gender Rights
Category: Transgender Opinion
About the Author (Author Profile)
I am a writer, editor and educator. I was one of the 5 founders of the Renaissance Transgender Education Assoc., and have served on the boards of IFGE and AEGIS. I've published several books on CD/TS/TG subjects. My how-to books are available at the CDS Bookstand (www.cdspub.com). I am most proud of "Coping With Crossdressing: Tools and Strategies for Couples in Committed Relationships". I was an early TG political activist and one of the co-founders of GenderPAC. I wrote and published a Bill of Gender Rights in December 1990. I've appeared on several television shows and in the movie "All Dressed Up And Nowhere To Go". I published "LadyLike" magazine for 18 years, as well as "EnFemme" magazine and "International TranScript". (JoAnn passed away in June of 2013.)Subscribe
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I’m with you on that point Regina. The economic policies of this administration has driven down the value of the dollar and driven up the costs to do business. In an indirect way, Bush was partly responsible for the demise of LadyLike magazine. The cost to print that magazine rose 100% in just 4 years, over 50% in its final year. Increased costs are evident everywhere, not just in business. Groceries, gas, consumables, staples, all up from the past year. It all comes back to the low value of the dollar which is also at the root of the market crisis. This has to change.
Angela
My margin of error in my 51/49 is +&- 10%. You seem to be the only one that figured out My vote will have to be Obama. The Republican Regime has almost destroyed my business and most of the other small Businesses I am aware of! In just the last 2 months 3 friends have shut down their 3 different businesses and now have no incomes at all! I am hoping that we can survive under the Democrats rule But, if McCain takes office we will have to shut down! Eight very good people will loose their jobs if we have to close! Please people, Get the Republicans out of office? Please? Look around you at the economic mess! The Republican “Contract with America has really been “Contract on America” The lies about why we invaded Iraq, the loss of so many soldiers, The money spent abroad on this “War”. Larry Craig- comedy relief. The family values- So many cheaters and pregnancy’s I have lost count! Even McCain’s running mates daughter. ENDA with out the T. Throw the Republican bums out and get new! Try Obama! Vote Obama! You want the same? Vote McCain You want Change vote Obama!!!
Uh, sorry Regina but “none of the above” does not compute. You say yourself your life was better during Democratic years. Don’t be one of the people who screws it up by not voting or voting for “none of the above”. Vote for Obama so we can make a start at crawling out of this hole.
Sigh whimper sigh…….. Right now it looks like a repeat of 2001 elections. The country is 50/50 divided! No one is willing to make concessions about their party’s candidates. Where is a good Third party candidate when you need one? The Democrats Barrack Obama screwed up by not nominating Hillary as the VP! The Republicans may have screwed up by putting McCain as the president! ( Maybe they figure McCain will die early and Palin will take over?)
This is how I am going to make my choice: I have to look at what has my life been like during the Democrat and the Republican s rules. I have had more money in my pockets and better freedoms under the Democrats. I have had war and lots of it under the Republicans and a loss of freedoms. We had almost wiped our the national Debt under the Democrats . We now have the largest national Debts ever, I’m a lower to middle class T-person that has steadily lost status and seem to be heading into the lower class.
OMG I think I have worked out, an answer to my dilemma! No Third Party Candidate? Well then I am therefore 51/49 toward None of the above or Barack Obama. With none of the above leading! So at least I know who I can not vote for! Everyone please look at where you are compared to the rich! The middle and lower class have lost ground in buying power and just living expenses. The government will not bail out my Business, It is tough luck. No bail out for you! To send a clear msg -VOTE – NONE OF THE ABOVE and make that a landslide vote!
Hi Ladies, Why you vote for one candidate or another goes back to your first lesson in politics, which you probably experienced listening to your parent’s debate their choices. It reminds me of religion as it takes a lot of learning or brain-washing to refine your political thought. You mature politically over the same years that you mature sexually, but your political orientation is not fixed from birth. We may not get our first choice, but we do get a choice. Some of my friends say that life will continue uninterrupted no matter who gets elected, but that has not been my experience. In this country you have to be vigilant and fight for your rights with your vote in the smallest election. Remember, you are not a protected minority in most of this country. Not many of us can say that we are without prejudice or bias. We try to probe, understand and justify our vote to ourselves and others, but we cannot easily change minds. So in the end, it is probably something very basic to our survival, not a probing analysis that determines our vote. I wish it weren’t so easy to push that button or pull that lever. I have endured 8 years of incompetence, so I am putting my money where my mouth is and hope for a better day. If the situation continues to deteriorate in this country, Canada is not far away. BTW I would vote for “Tina Fey-Palin”, if first impressions were all that counted. Luv Ya, Cerise
There certainly may be some factoids that cannot be verified in Cerise’s piece but the spirit is there. I remember voters as far back as the Kennedy election being criticized for voting for candidates merely based on the celebrity appeal – all photo appeal and no substance. The republicans are using a page out of that play book with Palin. Anyone who really takes the time to sort out all the balony that’s being tossed around and looks at the real qualifications of all four candidates in this campaign will see that Palin is a very bright, personable, capable person. But, in no way is she prepared to become the most powerful person in the world. It is a rediculous thought all wrapped up in movie script – a fairy tale. This next President and his Vice President must possess the strenght to resist the influences that have riddled the Bush administrations and have made our country less than respected in the world. McCain & Palin do not have it. Obama & Biden are new leadership – proven leadership. They are just what the doctor ordered for our ailing country. LYNDA WARREN
This piece is what I mean when I say check the facts. Many of the “facts” in this item are untrue about both sides. Many of them are true though so if a voter really cares they should do the research to determine what is true, what is spin and what is a downright lie.
Hi Ladies, We form our opinions based on our personal experiences and what we read or hear is happening elsewhere. I shall never understand how this election choice is not clear to everyone. I support anybody who will improve what we have inherited from Cheney and Bush. I believe the American people will decide this election on the principal of who “LIES THE LEAST”. We have been brought to this point by 8 years of manipulation and lies about everything that matters. Security, Economy, Energy (OIL), Environmental Safety, War (IRAQ), Jobs, TG rights, Killing, Abortion, etc I have lived in Washington, DC most of my life and EVERYTHING DONE AND SAID inside the Beltway is POLITICAL. I can argue any policy point with you from my LIBERAL perspective, so I admit my bias. But I expect everybody to search for the TRUTH in accordance with known fact and reality. If you don’t change your mind based on a mountain of facts, like Evolution, there is not much I can do to persuade you. So you will have to guess who I’m voting for as there are many candidates running in November. So here is a cute UNTRUTHFUL Internet piece, which you should read and decide what is TRUTH. LUV YA, CERISE
I’m a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight….. If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you’re “exotic, different.” Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers, a quintessential American story. If your name is Barack you’re a radical, unpatriotic Muslim. Name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, you’re a maverick. Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable. Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you’re well grounded. If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate’s Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran’s Affairs committees, you don’t have any real leadership experience. If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you’re qualified to become the country’s second highest ranking executive. If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you’re not a real Christian. If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you’re a Christian. If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society. If , while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state’s school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant , you’re very responsible. If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family’s values don’t represent America’s. If you’re husband is nicknamed “First Dude”, with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn’t register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable. OK, much clearer now.
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Well Thomasina, we are trying to make this a discussion and keep away from finger pointing, etc. so here’s my latest two cents…
When you say that the Democratic party took control in 2006 and haven’t done anything I have to remind you that they are not completely in control of Congress and they don’t have enough votes to make legislation veto proof. During Bush’s first term, when Republicans controlled congress the President vetoed no legislation. After the Democrats took over he vetoed several different bills (between nine and eleven depending where you check) including legislation for stem cell research, Katrina relief and troop funding, children’s health care and Medicare. While it is true that George W. Bush has used his veto power less than any other president it is telling that he did it when Democrats controlled Congress. And, legislation that was, and is needed to help with many issues has been stopped by Republican filibusters in the last four years. As for Sarah Palin, she is not a “fresh face” but just another mask to hide the same sort of philosophy of government that G.W. Bush and Dick Cheney hold. Voting for McCain/Palin will only get us four more years of the same thing from government that we’ve had the last eight. As for the ethics question, the news has been filled with ethics violations and outright illegal behavior by members of Congress… the majority of the crooks have been Republicans. DeLay and his pal Jack Abramoff are two names that come to mind. When I look at Senator Obama I see a candidate who is intelligent, makes decisions after careful consideration and adjusts his decisions when he gets new information. Bush, Cheyney, McCain and Palin all seem to make their decisions based on the content of their mid-sections or on the advice of their wealthy businessmen pals. As JoAnn said, we have a far greater chance as TG people to get protections against hate crimes and job discrimination from a Democratic administration than we ever would from a Republican one.
Hi Angela, I get the impression that we vote first by blaming someone for all of the ills of our world. “It’s the Republicans fault”, “It’s George Bush’s Fault”, etc. I have but two questions… If Barack Hussien Obama is so good, then why can he not get above 50% of the electorate in the polls during this, a Democratic Year?? (BTW I do realize he got above it once..) Number 2. During William Clinton’s reign (a Democrat), we were attacked by Al Queda approximately 6 times.. Diplomacy did not work during the 90’s. George W Bush was elected in 2000, we had 9-11, we went to war with Afganistan and Iraq, and have not been attacked again. What would make me think that Barack Obama is going to be any different than Bill Clinton? We are not as hated overseas as everyone thinks. About the budget… Congress writes the budget and votes on it. George Bush proposes the budget… BIG Difference… While I blame both the republicans and the democrats for the budgetary mess that we are in, I do not think promising everyone a handout is going to make the economy any better… The democrats were voted in in 2006 and what have they done besides ruin our economy… Named a few post offices and increased the minimum wage.. They promised to end the war (didn’t happen), they promised to lower gas prices (didn’t happen), they promised the most ethical congress (didn’t happen. Republicans AND Democrats are at fault for this)… Need I say more? The ONLY Fresh face in this election is Sarah Palin!!! Need I say that I am voting for her?? John Mccain can’t do much damage in 4 years, Barack can do some given 8 years.
Thomasina Maryann
“There is nobody to vote for this time around. There is not even a “lesser evilâ€. I will not be voting for McCain or Obama.”
I should have been more specific. What I *should* have written was, there is nobody to vote for in the Republican or Democratic parties.
I *will* be voting, but I will not be voting for McCain or Obama.
Hi Angela,
Great find! I haven’t tried it yet but will soon.
While you’re comment about an informed electorate is well meaning and what the founding fathers wanted I doubt it’ll really happen. Too many voters know/learn/don’t care about anything except what they heard in the last 30 seconds before they cast their ballots. Besides, obviously Paris Hilton or Tom Cruise must know more about these issues than anybody else. They were in People, Style, etc….
One can only do the best they can to get the message out and then make their own personal decisions.
The thing about democracy is it requires an informed electorate making decisions on how they vote after carefully weighing each candidates stand on the important issues. 21st century elections keep being reduced to personality and who can do the best job of undercutting their opposition. To counter that voters need to get real facts. One resource for that task it Fact Check.org. It’s a website where you can find the real facts behind the statements politicians make. The address is http://factcheck.org/
The site is impartial and has as its state goal “to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding.”
So if you hear that Sarah Palin was a member of a separatist organization you can go to FactCheck.org and find out if that’s true. If you think Barack Obama attacked Sarah Palin though viral emails you can find out if it’s true on FactCheck.org. Don’t accept what anyone who is trying to get elected says without taking a look at all the facts.
While I disagree with many, ok almost all of your points. There is one item in there that I’d shout in agreement with you.
GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!
Sitting at home and using some lame excuse not to do your civic duty is a cop out. Over 50% of the Iraqi people braved bombs, bullets and crazies to vote in their elections. What do you have to worry about except maybe long lines and some lost time?
What a lively discussion!! It is a subject that is near and dear to many of us. A few points to ponder: 1. Palin is an unknown commodity. From the information I’ve received so far she is the antithesis of all the LGBT community stands for and is trying to accomplish. Obama may be too much of a gentleman to throw this information into the mix. I hope it all comes out in time for the voters to make the progressive, informed decision. 2. Her actions and spoken beliefs are the exact opposite of the Womens’ movement. She will set women back forty years. 3. In the republican party the shots are being called by Karl Rove & Dick Cheney-types and have been in the past 7.5 years. This influence will continue if McCain is elected. It can’t be any other way since McCain needs the full power of the republican party to get elected in the first place. It’s AKA “sellout.” 4. Please, please, please!!! The answer is NOT to withholding your vote!! Good Heavens!!! Find out all you can about each candidate. All the details of Palin’s past have not been exposed yet. The more digging that’s done the less appealing she will be to the voter. 5. God forbid that McCain becomes unable to serve, that will make Sarah Palin the most powerful person in the world. Can you really say, with what you now know about her past experience, that she can fill those shoes? When President McCain’s cabinet is filled with Rove and Cheney characters that influence will forward to Palin. This country cannot survive another four years of that. Certainly the LGBT community might as well just give up. 6. And finally, don’t vote for McCain/Plain just because Palin is a female! I would have preferred that Hillary be nominated by the Democrats but I was considering her policies and experience. Even Hillary wouldn’t have wanted you to vote for her just because she’s a woman. The difference between Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin can fill volumes! LYNDA WARREN
There is nobody to vote for this time around. There is not even a “lesser evil”. I will not be voting for McCain or Obama.
JoAnn, You speak of narrow vieww. Wll only looking at it from a TG perspective is a “narrow” view. How large is the TG Community compared to the country at large?
Who is going to govern best? I don’t think it’s going to be Senator Obama.
Who is a more honorable candidate? I feel it’s Senator McCaine.
You yourself said that this was to be a discussion where we air our views and not try to convert the other. Well, seems to me you’re a little upset that there are some Conservative’s in this community who don’t march lock step with everyone else.
Viva Le’Difference!
Linda Elaine Woodworth
Historically and statistically, the general public does better economically under Democratic rule than Republican rule. That is a measured fact. (See Inequalities.)
What exactly did the Republicans fix? The S&L Crisis happened under the Republican’s watch. Enron and WorldCom happened under Republican watch. Now, we have a mortgage crisis under Republican watch. Gimme a break! Neo-cons don’t believe in small government; they want no government so they can do whatever they damn well please.
Economics aside, those of you who are TG and support the McCain/Palin ticket are, in my opinion, voting against your own best interest and voting for someone who would despise you if they knew you. Gov. Palin is a fundamentalist who believes no abortion should be available to any woman for any reason. She is against sex education. She is a Creationist, i.e., she does not believe in science. Her view of the TG community will be that we’re abominations. THAT’S who you want to vote for in the second seat?
Sen. McCain has changed his positions on everything from the war, to drilling, to immigration more often than he changes his underwear. I actually respect someone who is willing to change their mind and say “I was wrong and I’ve moved on this position.” Inflexibility is one of Geo. W. Bush’s impediments. But, I’m not willing to take a risk on McCain with Palin on the ticket. I don’t want McCain/Palin’s “reform”, thank you very much. It’d be a return to the Dark Ages.
Tell me something positive about McCain/Palin’s policies and how we (either the public, in general, or TGs, specifically) benefit from them instead of reading off a litany of negative “talking points” about Obama. Then I might listen.
Change, change, change that’s Obama’s theme. And you knew what he is right. He changes his mind and view everytime to suit whatever group he is addressing. The Democrates have a controlling number in the house now and couldn’t get anything done, but they always had their fall guy, BUSH. So when things went bad they would just sit back and let it go to hell.
Obama has even all but tried to buy votes with his “let’s tax the Oil Companies and gave it back to you”. The old rob Peter to pay Paul so you can give it back to Peter and get VOTES. This won’t lower the cost of gas, instead it will rise to offset the lost in profits. Think about it. Obama is about a quick fix, he is the little boy with his finger in the dam. Yes the water will stop running for a short time ( 4 years) but then boom it the dam gaves way and the Republicans will have to come in and fix it again. Don’t believe it just look back at history. We need someone with a plan to get us back on track, someone who looks outside the party box, guess whom I am voting for.
Hi Hebe,
No, don’t distort the truth. Too many politicians do that and when you catch them they claim they “miss-spoke” A handy euphemism for lying. Stict to the moral high ground.
You aren’t the first one to say that Senator McCaine has lost his “Maverick’s License”. Too me that means he’s more conservative now and less Liberal.
Actually I Love the fact that Sarah Paline is dressing like a woman. She’s attractive and dresses like it! I’m tired of frumpy pants suits by all the woman in congress. Your a woman, flaunt your femininity and use it!
It’s amazing the number of people who “hate” President Bush. I don’t know if the emotion has been there with other candidates or elected officials but we’re seeing and hearing about it more and more. Could it have been there all along and only now it’s getting out becuase of the web and other 24 hour media avenues?
If you haven’t already guess, I am a supporter of President Bush. No, I don’t like everything he’s done but then nobody ever does. He was elected to be a “Leader”. That means doing what he feels is the “Right” decision for the country. Not what satisfies a segment of it, no matter what the size or how vocal.
The first priority will be achieved on January 20, 2009, regardless of how we vote — No More Bu**sh**!
Now that I’ve established where I’m coming from, it should be no surprise when I say I’ll be voting for Obama. McCain has surrendered his maverick’s license, so I think Obama is our country’s — make that humanity’s — best chance for survival and progress.
Karl Rove in a dress! He might do it if the votes were there. Can we tell him TG’s are now 60% of the population? Slight distortions of the truth don’t seem to bother him.
Hebe
It took eight years for the Republicans to put us into a fiscal pit. The new president is going to have a hell of a job getting that turned around and getting the protections that were already stripped away from the citizens put back. I don’t expect any major change in three months after Obama is elected. I expect it to take at least half of his term for anything other than a better mood to appear. After all, politics is politics and politicians do what they gotta do. That ain’t gonna change.
I’m not enamored with either. However, my biggest concern is with this cult of personality that has sprung up around Senator Obama. Everyone seems to act like the day he’s sworn in, everything is going to instantly change for the better. Not going to happen. Firstly, real power comes from the grassroots: the people. And people don’t want to change. They want the other guy to change.
Secondly, and more practically speaking, even if the Democrats have control of both houses of Congress, I don’t have a lot of faith in their ability to enact anything, civil rights-wise or in any other field. What have they done with ENDA lately? Have they seriously done anything to bring gender identity back into it?
And this goes for Republicans as well: as soon as they get into office, any elected official’s first job is to stay there.
I do think Obama will win, but, I think there are going to be a lot of disappointed people 3 months after his swearing in.
(Edited for clarity and misspellings.)
Now this is the start of, not a flame war, but a good political discussion. Anybody else wanna chime in?
Well, let the hate mail start because I don’t agree with any of this. I think Senator Obama is the wrong candidate for this country and I do not want him answering the phone at 3 am with news that Russia just invaded the Ukraine. (IF Ukraine is part of NATO we would then have a major war on our hands. If not it’s still a mess with much national prestige on the line. Bottom line is what do we do Mr. President?)
I feel he’s been pandering to any group that he can convince to vote for him. I do not think he’s going to do anything for this community since the political capital it’ll require will be more than he’ll get in return. Photo op’s mean nothing since they cost nothing. Actually legislation takes time and effort which I do not believe he would put in to it.
Senator Obama has flip-flopped over his positions so much I don’t know where he stands right now. Bottom line is I do not want my taxes to skyrocket to pay for his programs for those that are not willing to work for it themselves.
I have been to a local rally with Senator McCaine and I’m not a fan of his either. I would prefer a more conservative candidate such as Mitt Romney or Fred Thompson. Things didn’t work out that way.
I do like Sarah Paline. She’s got proven credentials as a Mayor and Governor. She’s a Mother 5 times and pro-life. It takes a special breed of person to live and florish in Alaska. The faint of heart go back to the lower 48 never to return. Why does she frighten people? Isn’t this the type of achievement the woman’s movement has been screeching for all these years? Now it’s arrived and everybody is upset becuase it’s not a liberal Democratic Candidate!?!
Bottom line, I’ll vote for McCaine/Paline this November.
PS I would think EVERYBODY would be happy about the idea of Karl Rove in a Dress!
Here, here and huzzah! While the idea of conservatiism is not such a bad thing in itself – paying for government and having a balanced budget – the fact of the matter is the “conservative” Republicans have been anything but. They have spent the country into a hole that is so deep it will be decades before we can climb out. The true nail in their coffin though should be the way that they have pandered to right wing conservative voters by staying (or saying they will be) against the kind of progressive changes that would make the lives of GLBT people, poor people and minority people easier. They have used the past 8 years to line the pockets of their fat cat buddies with no bid contracts and made themselves richer as well while everybody else in the can just fend for themselves. And don’t be fooled by that addition of the “pit bull in lipstick” to the McCain ticket. She is just as much a pandering move as anything else they have done to get votes. And she’s just plain scary. Even though she looks like Tina Fey I think she is Karl Rove in a dress. Obama and all the Democrats offer a chance for us, GLBT people, to make some progress with legislation that can help us and a Democratic administration and Congress will improve the economy enough that we can afford to shop for our dresses in upscale department stores again.
I’m not baiting a long winded flame war but I, like you, feel that this topic needs to be discussed. It is unbelievable to me that George W. Bush was elected the first time and a complete nightmare that he was elected again. The list is long of the things he has screwed up over the last 6.5 years. Let’s just not make the mistake of giving that party yet another chance to make a mockery of our country. I implore each and every voter to vote out whatever republican you have the opportunity to. Vote for every Democrat. The McCain/Palin ticket represents everything we, in this community, abhore and oppose. If they had their way we would be rounded up and sent to re-education. This election must be a turning point in Washington where clear, progressive thinking prevails. This might be our last chance to accomplish this. The Obama/Biden ticket offers real change. If they have a majority in Congress, passing laws that support the LGBT Community will not be such a remote dream. Your vote for any republican will stall any progress that has been made in recent years. Your vote for any Democrat will ensure that our community will be heard. Thank you,
LYNDA WARREN