L.G.B.T.Q.

Am I The Only American Disgusted With Trump And House Democrats?

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Millions of Americans are fed up with the current state of the federal government.

For three years Donald Trump has been trying to convince us that he is the greatest American president. His arguments are not convincing considering that about half of the country would like to see him impeached. At the same time Trump’s opponents have been trying unsuccessfully to dig up dirt on the president since his first day in office. Both parties have failed dismally to win over new supporters and most Americans are furious that Congress has been unable to do the people’s business.

Every time I read the New York Times or watch CNN, I want to pull the hair from my head. Can a president actually be as horrible as both of these news outlets portray Trump? But the big question is did the president commit high crimes and misdemeanors? We lived through the Mueller investigation for two years and it was a total bust. No evidence was uncovered to prove Trump colluded with Russia or obstructed justice.

At the same time Trump is lambasting the liberal press and do-nothing Democrats. “Fake news!” is the president’s mantra. In over 11,000 tweets since being elected, he makes fools out of those who criticize him and a fool out of himself. He repeatedly says House Democrats are incompetent, liars, and dangerous to our country.

To make matters worse, many Democrat presidential candidates are trying to convince the electorate that the US should morph into a socialistic state. In particular Sanders and Warren are attempting to buy the loyalty of voters by telling them they will overtax successful people in our country. What a bad plan. Even Bill Gates criticized this ploy. These geniuses say they will provide one-payer health care for all Americans that is projected to cost between $20 and $40 trillion (our current level of debt is about $20 trillion). Even Democrats are attacking Warren for her ridiculous entitlement promises. How does she intend to pay for all of her giveaways without bankrupting the country?

Trump is sashaying across America and every day unleashes a string of offensive tweets like a schoolboy. He says horrible things about anyone who criticizes him. He proclaims that the economy is the best in history. In the meantime a setback in Chinese trade negotiations would reduce the Dow Jones by several thousand points in a heartbeat. It’s true that employment is up, unemployment is down (even for minority groups) and Trump continues to ride roughshod on Iran, Europe, Mexico, Canada and many more countries in an effort to negotiate fair deals.

A disgraceful situation occurred a few days ago when Trump took credit for the assassination of al-Baghdadi, the former terrorist leader of ISIS. From his bunker in the basement of the White House, our Commander-in-Chief “orchestrated” the operation. Trump was not part of the mission, other than giving his approval to move ahead (to which he deserves some credit). I wonder if the president dressed up in camouflage as he directed his special operators.

I’ve had it with the investigations of every move by Trump. In a short year voters will have a chance to change leaders. Democrats believe that they can denigrate Trump so one of their pathetic candidates will win. It’s not going to happen. Voters will resent the obvious outcome of the impeachment- Trump will stay in office because the Senate will acquit. Why are Democrats acting like there is any chance to convince 20 or 25 Republican senators to join them and convict Trump of a high crime?

In the meantime the country is going to hell and a hand basket. Budgets are not being approved, infrastructure is crumbling, LGBTQ rights are being violated, health care is deteriorating, immigration is unsettled and trade agreements are not being signed. I want a government that does its job. I abhor sanctimonious legislators who break the law every day by leaking confidential information and lying to the public.

Obama and Democrats are responsible for setting the stage for a person like Trump. We are stuck with him at least until next November when he will likely defeat an incompetent Democrat, unless Bloomberg jumps into the fray.

L.G.B.T.Q. Rights Now

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Conservatives on the Supreme Court may punt on a long-awaited L.G.B.T.Q. civil rights issue. The stalling tactic will alternatively put pressure on Congress to legislate basic rights of many with alternative life styles.

Job discrimination against gay and transgender workers is technically legal in many places in the US. Several states have already addressed this issue ahead of federal law enactment. The question at the Supreme Court is whether Title VII of the Civil Rights Act applies to millions of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender workers. Does it protect these groups from job discrimination based upon sexual orientation?

Former Justice Anthony Kennedy was a great supporter of gay and lesbian rights and wrote the majority opinions in all four of the court’s major gay rights decisions. His retirement will make this effort to liberally interpret Title VII “an uphill battle.”

Ironically Justice Gorsuch could be a supporter of a liberal interpretation as he is “an avowed believer in textualism, meaning that he considers the words Congress enacted rather than evidence drawn from other sources.” He indicated that Title VII may bar employment discrimination based upon sexual orientation and transgender status. But, he says it’s a close call. And he added that legislation by Congress to end the aforementioned discrimination may be a more appropriate way to end unfair practices, rather than action by the Court.

Specifically Title VII outlawed discrimination based upon race, religion, national origin and “sex.” “The question for the judges [is] how broadly to read that last term.” Does it apply to whether a person is male or female only, or does it also relate to a person’s sexual preferences. Clearly, Title VII prohibits job discriminating against women. But if a man is married to another man should a company be able to fire him? Surely not.

The Trump administration chimed in by indicating, “it was up to Congress and not the courts to change the law [as it is now being enforced].”

Everyone knows that passing the buck to Congress at this time in history will extend discriminatory practices indefinitely given the vitriol that exists between the political parties. Yet the opposition appears to be resigned to the fact that a basic civil right is being denied to individuals for an inappropriate reason.

The simple thing to do is have the Court broadly and liberally interpret the law now because it is what society demands, and not delay the affirmation of job quality for all. We cannot depend upon Congress to effectively do its job on this matter at this time.