Without the fear of consequences from their constituents most politicians, like water, will take the path of least resistance. You get what you demand -- if you ask for little, that's what you'll get. If there is a negative price to be paid at the ballot box from any pro-active constituent group, then, believe me, that group will be appeased before an election.
The tide of history is on our side with more and more people joining in the movement towards a more perfect union. If we excuse our so-called leaders for not supporting us openly, then why should anyone else feel motivated to do the right thing? Should we expect more commitment to our cause from our co-workers and neighbors and from those who do not know us than we do from those we elect to public office to represent us? Changing hearts and minds is one thing, but to insist that those leaders, which we have elevated to positions of political power, to follow suit and, dare I say, lead on issues of historical significance -- is that really too much to expect?
Obama is a political weather vane without a moral center. He is incapable of leadership. More's the pity, really. He's a competent orator; too bad his carefully crafted, White House staff generated, words are just pandering poetic prose calculated to created a media image with no more lasting substance than the faint fading glow of a teleprompter.
And, no, claiming the "other guy" would be worst is no longer a good enough reason for giving this guy a free pass. The battered housewife syndrome kind of relationship which some in the GLBT community have had (and still have) with the Democratic Party is getting really tiresome. Enablers do not deserve pity nor any semblance of respect.
Third parties and Independents can, and do, win state and local elections, such as former Connecticut governor Lowell Weicker. Some have even won federal elections: witness Sen. Bernie Sanders of VT (a proud independent socialist for god sake) and Sen. Joe Lieberman. What about the Tea Party (an independent extremist right-wing subset of Republicans) who, although small in numbers, basically controls the House of Representatives by setting the agenda? Anything is possible, if you are motivated enough and have enough people to just say -- let's do it.
