LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Three Sided Coin: A Nuanced Approach to the Election |
by Paul Harris |
I have been reading the columns recently in the gay press about the forthcoming Presidential Election by various people telling me what to do with my vote. They have basically been saying 'Vote for Gore, any other vote is a waste of time and can achieve nothing.' Their opinions come from the position that we should pay more attention to our fears than our hopes, and imply that the ONLY purpose of an election is to elect a President, or Senator or Congressman. I'd like to suggest that elections also offer people an opportunity to vote for what they want, as well as achieving other goals. In Hollywood there is an old saying that says "The Camera Follows the Money." In other words, in a scene involving two people the camera will normally favor "the star" rather than "the contract player." In General Elections whether the result in a particular state is going to be close or not can be worked out by watching where candidates spend their media advertising budgets. I am suggesting that gay voters recognize that every State is different. In some States the election between Gore and Bush will be VERY close. In other states either one or the other candidate will "walk" the election easily. In states like Massachusetts and California, or Texas and Wyoming, Gore and Bush might as well weigh their votes as they will win the respective states easily. Take the State where I live and am registered to vote. In New York several things are obvious. The total absence of George W. Bush ads shows his recognition that he hasn't a hope in Hell of winning the state, while Hillary Clinton and Rick Lazio are both going to swing wildly at each other till the "final bell." So if Gore is going to win the New York State Electoral College votes easily (which he is) does my vote in the Presidential Election matter in New York State matter? I would suggest to you that it does. Elections are NOW no longer just about who wins but also about who gets funding in the next set of elections. If Ralph Nader were to pick up 5% of the vote the Green Party would qualify for funding in the next round of elections. So why should someone consider voting Green (i.e., Nader) in some states where effectively the gay voters have a free vote and the opportunity of supporting who they really want? Well, to start with the obvious, Ralph Nader has had a greater impactupon the passage of progressive legislation in this country than any of his opponents. To name just three pieces of legislation that owe their passage to his campaigningthe Environmental Protection Agency, Freedom of Information Act, and the National Traffic and Motor Safety Act. Guess who alerted the country to the dangers of nuclear hazards? In addition, Nader has refused PAC money, so-called "soft money" and dirty money in his campaign. Has Gore? Gore's own sister died of lung cancer caused by smoking. So what does Al Gore do? He takes money from tobacco interests at the very next election! Gore played along quite happily with the pharmaceutical companies and their price-gouging when it came to AIDS drugs in South Africa until he was called on it. Gore publicly boasted that no one would be appointed to a senior position in the armed services unless they supported the abolition of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Within 48 hours he had withdrawn the promise. Name one piece of legislation that Gore in all his privileged years in office has achieved! Gore seems to think that Integrity is an insurance company in Connecticutpresumably one writing checks to Joe Lieberman! If I thought there was the remotest danger that Bush could win New York State and thus contribute to his winning the Presidency of this country with the control of the all-important appointments to the Supreme Court that goes with it, I would have no choice but to hold my nose, avoid looking at myself in the mirror, and pull the lever for Gore. That is not the case. Do not be fooled. Gay voters on Election Day in many states DO have the opportunity to make a nuanced decision as to where they cast their votes. In those states where the Presidential race IS NOT competitive they can vote to allow the Green Party access to funding at the next election and to keep alive ideas about creating a better tomorrow for all of us. As for the Senate election in New York State, for whatever failings Hillary may have, she is clearly the best bet for GLBT voters. Copyright Paul Harris Inc. 2000 |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 10, No. 14, Oct. 20, 2000. |