The “conservative agenda” is focused on attacking the rights and freedoms of people who do not align with their core beliefs – even if they are not harming anyone.
I believe LGBTQ people deserve the same rights and freedoms as everyone else. That is because it is just wrong to discriminate against anyone for their personal beliefs, race, gender, heritage, or political beliefs provided they are not infringing on the safety or health of others. I think it’s reprehensible that a small minority of legislators (congress, state, and local) have ramped up so much nasty rhetoric, personal attacks, and blatant discrimination against people who identify as LGBTQ. What are they afraid of? According to the American Psychiatric Association, being gay or “non-binary” is not contagious. Their research has concluded that “Same-sex sexual attractions, behavior, and orientations per se are normal and positive variants of human sexuality—in other words, they do not indicate either mental or developmental disorders. (Glassgold et al. 2009). Or perhaps stated more succinctly, being gay or having attraction to the same sex is not just a choice. How is it that the same people who consider anyone who identifies as a LGBTQ is somehow reprehensible or a threat to their way of life? Yet they can condone ordinary citizens carrying assault weapons, threats against minorities and legal immigrants, or hate speech against anyone who does not align with their core beliefs?
Over 70% of American Adults Feel Same Sex Marriage Should be Valid
According to a Gallop Pole in February 2023, 7.2% of American adults identified themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or something other than heterosexual. Additionally, overall support for same-sex marriage has steadily climbed in 2023, 71% of Americans felt same-sex marriage should be valid.
You cannot come after my guns, but it is OK for you to go after the gays!
I just don’t understand how some people can justify discrimination and/or hatred towards LGBTQ individuals. Being gay is not contagious nor is it limited to human behavior (see list of animals displaying homosexual behaviors). I really have no tolerance for religious or biblical arguments since the Bible is filled with contradictions and inconsistencies, so it’s easy to find something in the Bible to support just about any beliefs. One of my favorite examples is from the TV show, “The West Wing“.
Some people think LGBTQ people are morally reprehensible. Well, I think the belief that the USA should be a Christian Nationalist country is morally reprehensible. I think any religion, cult, society or club that reinforces that their members are inherently better than others, is reprehensible. However, I do accept that Christian Nationalist or even gun-carrying rednecks who hate people of color have the right to their beliefs. That is, provided they don’t act in a way that physically or mentally harms others. Although I consider myself a ‘Devout Apathetic’ when it comes to organized religion, my family background is Jewish. The Holocaust is a horrible example what can happen when discrimination against a group of people is justified.
I also hate the argument that, “We cannot allow people to be using bathrooms or locker rooms that are not consistent with their gender at birth.” I think the people who are using bathrooms for the purpose of looking at members of the opposite sex naked are most likely perverts or some type of sexual deviant, which is reprehensible.
I can understand the controversy related to Trans people playing team sports. It may be true that some people born male and are now trans-female have a competitive advantage in women’s sports. However, other than sports, I don’t know why Trans people are subjected to discrimination, especially related to their medical care. Gender-affirming care should be between the individual (and their family if they are a minor) and their doctors. It’s not the government’s place or role to interfere. They claim it’s body mutilation. So are circumcisions, piercings, and tattoos, yet the government doesn’t interfere with those personal beliefs.
It is a tough time to be an immigrant – even legal immigrants. And it’s really tough to be a legal immigrant of color.
I know the U.S. Immigration system needs reform. However, I think building new border walls is a waste of money. Tunnels, ladders, wire cutters and human ingenuity can render a wall useless. There are better ways to secure the border including increasing border patrols, drone technology, and working on the root causes for individuals and families to risk their health and safety to achieve a better life. I have seen no valid study that indicate immigrants are any more likely to commit a crime than an American citizen.
Are legal immigrants taking away American jobs? That certainly may be the case with well-educated and/or high-skilled, legal immigrants who are the most qualified applicants for a job. What company would not want to hire the most qualified candidate is they are legally allowed to work in the United States? However, Companies that hire illegal immigrants are breaking the law and they should be punished accordingly. Also, you cannot blame immigrants for jobs that are outsourced overseas. That’s an issue with the global economy, not immigration.
So, are legal immigrants taking unskilled labor jobs away from American citizens? Maybe, but I don’t think it’s anything close to the fear-mongering political rhetoric. Immigrants are taking the jobs Americans don’t want (e.g., working in the fields or very low-wage positions). Why? Because it’s still better than the situation that escaped from in their home country.
A Disgraceful Situation in Springfield, Massachusetts
I am totally appalled with the hateful dialogue and the lies about the Haitian immigrants in Springfield coming from Trump, Vance and others. The Haitians are here legally. They were not eating peoples’ pets (that story has been debunked from numerous reputable sources including Republican leaders in Springfield). The reality of the situation is that the unfounded, political rhetoric has created a huge spike in threats of violence against the Haitians including bomb-threats that closed schools and offices. Ironically, the city of Springfield has rallied in mass to support their Haitian neighbors and the Republican officials representing Springfield have stood in solidarity that they do not want Trump or Vance coming to Springfield.
Why are Racism and Discrimination Still Prevalent in America?
According to a 2020 Stanford University study1, there are seven factors that contribute to American racism. To summarize, the first 3 factors are categories that organize people in distinct groups. Categorizing people triggers (1) ingroup loyalty, (2) intergroup competition, and (3) segregation. “Simply put, the U.S. systematically constructs racial categories, places people inside of those categories and segregates people on the basis of those categories1.” The remaining four factors that contribute towards racism according to the study, are “(4) hierarchy, which emboldens people to think, feel and behave in racist ways; (5) power, which legislates racism on both micro and macro levels; (6) Media, which legitimizes overrepresented and idealized representations of White Americans while marginalizing and minimizing people of color; and (7) passivism, such that overlooking or denying the existence of racism encourages others to do the same. In short, they argue that the U.S. positions and empowers some over others, reinforces those differences through biased media, and then leaves those disparities and media in place.
1 Stanford Report June 9, 2020 (https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2020/06/seven-factors-contributing-american-racism)
How Do We Get Out of This Mess?
In my opinion, the best way to curtail inherent racism and discrimination lies with factor #7, Passivism. Bringing about systemic change in our political systems and human behavior can only occur when you have an active and involved critical mass. Consider the activism in the 1960’s that peaked after the assignations of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and Bobby Kennedy. The political unrest (and unfortunately some rioting) and the loud voice of the majority of Americans led to the removal of Jim Crow laws, ended Separate but Equal, integrated schools, and led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Those laws would never have come to fruition without the activism and clarity that the majority of American citizens wanted these changes.
Passivism is in play when elected officials act in ways that are inconsistent with views and opinions of the majority of the people they represent. An obvious example is the recent surge in anti-abortion laws put in place in many states. Yet, we’ve seen that every single state ballot initiative on abortion, including in some of the most conservative states like Kansas, the majority has overwhelming supported less restrictive abortion laws.
To bring about systemic change that aligns with the majority of American citizens requires charismatic political leaders, community activism, and holding elected officials accountable. Clearly that’s what’s been happening with the Abortion issue. Another example of overcoming Passivism is South Africa. For years, a white minority kept power by using fear, intimidation, legalized discrimination, and their version of Jim Crow laws. Nelson Mandela’s inspirational leadership and personal sacrifices, combined with political pressure across the globe, and a critical mass of community activism is what led to real change.
What happens if things continue on the far-right path towards Project 2025
I believe Hungary is a very realistic example of what might happen when the far right is in power. Consider what Viktor Orban has done since he became Prime Minister of Hungary in 2010 as summarized by BBC News2 in September of 2022. The European Union Parliament accused Prime Minister Viktor Orban of creating an “electoral autocracy”. The EU criticized Hungary for a host of restrictions on human rights and democratic practices, including attacks on:
- Minorities and asylum seekers
- The independence of judiciary
- Press freedom
- LGBT rights
- Minorities and asylum seekers
- Academic freedom
All these oppressive changes were implemented for one simple reason, which was to ensure the minority leadership remains in power! This is why I find it so frightening when Trump and other far-right politicians constantly praise Victor Orban’s leadership. Or how Trump admires dictators/autocrats like Putin, Xi Jinping, and Kim Jong Un. Autocratic leadership requires force and authoritarian policies to control the majority. This includes controlling the law enforcement, elected officials, judicial systems, the press, and education systems. History seems to indicate that over time, the will of an oppressed majority can eventually overcome – like the push for civil rights legislation in the 1960’s or the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. But the longer oppressive leadership is in place, the more difficult (and potentially bloody) it will be to affect change.
Random Thoughts from the Active Mind of Dan Saltzman 
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