Congress- The Overlooked Player In The Battle For Equality

10/13/09-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire
President Barack Obama is not the Dictator in Chief no matter how much people would like him to be. He cannot wave a wand and repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell or the Defense of Marriage Act without Congress passing new laws. It is unfortunate, and a point often overlooked. That said, there certainly is a lot more that President Obama can do including lobbying Congress to get these laws pushed through faster while other pieces of legislation are worked on. Jon Stewart is certainly correct on that point. DADT and DOMA are small compared to winning a century’s long battle for healthcare equality.

After President Obama’s speech on Saturday, many people weighed in complaining about how he could do more. They forget that the Congress in the guises of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid can do more as well. There comes a point where the battle is not going to be won without taking risks, and unfortunately, Pelosi and Reid are not taking risks. The people who will be angered by a repeal of DADT and DOMA will not vote for the Democrats anyway. It is time to stop hiding and hoping that they support us and go for it. We have the advantage, we should use it. Make it clear that they do not have to vote for the bill, but only for cloture. Stop acting as if, somehow, someway, the Conservative…really the Reactionaries in this country are going to support the Democrats, and pass these laws.

What follows is a news roundup of the coverage of the President’s speech. Please enjoy.