Just hours after the White House issued a veto threat Thursday, the House voted to add gender and sexual orientation to the categories covered by federal hate crimes law.
The House legislation, passed 237-180, also makes it easier for federal law enforcement to take part in or assist local prosecutions involving bias-motivated attacks. Similar legislation is also moving through the Senate, setting the stage for another veto showdown with President Bush.
Well hey, the gay-hatin' social conservative vote is just about the only support base President Bush has left!
3 comments:
I think this is a political mistep that is going to give the President a lightening rod to help him reenergize his rank and file when the democrats have him on the ropes.
They are doing this to fullfill campaign promises - the problem is just like we have told the presidet that 51% for Iraq was not a majority neither is controlling congress by 1 vote.
This is politics and about minority ruling over the majority. The majority of americans do not support this bill - and the democrats should be focusing on why, and how to get them on board and then going after the president. This is a time bomb that could reverse some positives the Dems have had.
Americans want a goverment that can work together. The Democrats are starting to fail on that issue in the grass roots.
The Dems are forcing the presidents hands on a great many issues - but is it showing division and not inclusion.
What is the 2008 Election cry going to be - give us the presidency so we can get something done - sorry I want an advesarial system of checks and balances because compromise is the best solution for all Americans and not the segments of each party they claim to represent.
Well, I disagree that a majority don't support hate crimes legislation for homosexuals. The polling data I've seen has suggested a clear majority is in favor, and it seems only religious bigots and libertarians have a problem with it.
The fact of the matter is that an unpopular Republican president and an obstructionist minority of Republicans in the Senate are blocking Democratic-proposed legislation that is supported by large majorities of the American people: withdrawal of Iraq mid-2008, an increase in the minimum wage, stem-cell research, etc. All of these proposals are supported by 60% of the American people or more! People do what "government that can work together," but they also want government that works for them.
I understand that under the abuses of Republican control for so long people might favor divided government, but it is clear nothing will be accomplished without a Democratic president. That's not to say Democrats might not also be corrupted by power at some point, but I think it would be fair to at least give them the chance to pass some of their ideas into law before we begin praying for more gridlock!
Post a Comment