Ben Boxer notes: Other opinions notwithstanding (and everyone has a right to one), mine stands firmly in the same spot as that occupied by the writer of the following Planet Out editorial. I don't consider anyone who votes his conscience an idiot whether I approve of his vote or not. I reserve that opinion for those who have the opportunity to vote and don't use it. A man on another list a couple of years ago blasted me for saying that, screaming in uppercase letters in his e-mail posting that he had the right not to vote. I kept my silence, knowing that such a mentality, if any, is impenetrable, so why bother? I do, however, agree that it is (was) his right not to vote, but in so doing (so NOT doing), he also forfeits any right whatsoever to complain about anything negative perpetrated on him or his class by whatever party has ascended to power without his help or hindrance. To the gay Republicans, I say vote Republican, and if that party wins a majority in the White House and the Congress, let us hear no cries of foul play when it kicks your gay butt, as it surely will.

Headline:
I can't vote Republican

(An editorial from Planet Out, 11/04/00)

Text:
Look, it comes down to a very simple idea: you have a choice of moving forward or slipping back. We can certainly dredge up plenty of examples of straightforward malice or demolition by neglect of both GLBT people and the working middle class in which most of us live. But honestly, I couldn't vote Republican because I'm not willing to turn back the clock on women's control of their own bodies, on freedom of expression, on my right to make a life with the adult partner of my choice, and on the separation of church and state.

Do I think that there are Republicans of good conscience, inside and outside of our community? Absolutely. But most of the ones I know are horrified by the way their party and its principles have been hijacked by voices of intolerance. And, unfortunately, for all of the "compassionate conservatism" espoused by this year's GOP candidate, those extreme voices seem to feel that their interests are met in his candidacy.

So the story is not that Nader is polling at 5%, because some people think that the Democrats should push harder on liberal issues. But rather, we see that Buchanan is not getting about the same. Those who think that hate crimes are a myth, that gay men are pedophiles lying in wait for Boy Scouts, that government should stay out of health care unless a uterus is involved, and that viruses are punishments from God are perfectly comfortable with the Republican candidate. That is frightening.

THE END