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With legislation that should result in finally lifting the military ban, it would be easy to think that Obama is OK, everything is just fine, and that we can relax now, especially if you are queer. However, the Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA) is more important, in terms of its substantive impact on queer lives, than all of the rest of the queer civil rights legislation that was pending this past legislative term.
ENDA never even got a vote this session.
If that isn't enough perspective, I Can't Believe It's Not a Democracy pointed me out to this gem on Obama's "accomplishments":
WhatInTheFuckHasObamaDoneSoFar.com
It's sobering, to say the least.
As promised, here's a fab graphic from Zaius Nation on Obama's betrayal on the tax cuts for the rich/tax increases for the poor legislation Obama just signed. (click to embiggen)
Psycho Woman Throws Knives At Children
13 years ago
The DADT repeal, strangely enough, was thanks to Joe Lieberman of all people.
President Pootie Tang had two years to get it done and he didn't. He squandered all of 2009 on national healthcare and 2010 taking 7 vacations.
The failure to pass ENDA was, in my view, the fault of Nanny Pelosi. Nanny was more concerned with revamping the Congressional mess hall with healthy foods and Starbucks coffee than passing ENDA.
For me, more important than ENDA is the repeal of DOMA. It is from this point that equality for the LGBT community begins. But with a rabid GOP majority in the House starting in January, I don't think DOMA will go away anytime soon -- if in our lifetime.
One step at a time...hopefully this was a BIG step that will clear the way for more progress. Unfortunately, Christopher, you're right, with the GOP coming into the House, it may be awhile before the next step.
So, whether or not we feel Obama has done everything he should have done in his first two years, consider the alternative and what wouldn't have been done if he had been, say, McCain. And there is a similar website about Obama that actually has positive accomplishments too. Not everything he's done has been Bushlike.
Love the graphic of "Mr. Bipartisan". As the late great Hunter S. Thompson said of Bill Clinton, and now applies to Obama, "He's the best Republican president we've had."