Let’s take a run back to 2008 The DFL controlled the legislature and everything else but the govenorship.
ME: “So, DFL – if you’re so hot for gay marriage, why don’t you pass a gay marriage bill?”
DFLers: “Because the Governor will veto it?
ME: “So? Principle is principle! If your voter base is so hot for gay marriage, why not put your stake in the sand, and make the GOP plant theirs?”
DFL: “It’d be a waste of time”.
Fast forward to 2010:
ME: “So, DFLers – see how the GOP pushes bills they believe in – everything from budget reforms to “Stand Your Ground” – so that the electorate knows who’s on what side of what issue, even though Governor Dayton is going to veto it?”
DFLers: “Clearly you are a racist”.
Fast even further forward to Wednesday, when I pointed out to Minnesota Progressive Project ‘s Jeff Rosenberg that there was no chance on earth that the DFL was going to push gay marriage. Partly because it’s worth more to them as a wedge. Partly because they’ll take less electoral flak letting the courts do it.
Today? I don’t wanna say “I told you so”.
No, I’ll let Jeff tell himself:
For those of us who want to see DFLers move decisively to approve equal marriage, there was disappointing news at a press conference held on Wednesday:
“Many Democrats, led by Gov. Mark Dayton, opposed the amendment. But on Wednesday they would not commit to overturning the law.
Senate DFL leader Tom Bakk of Cook said the state’s budget situation is so serious that he thinks any such policy decisions should be delayed. House DFL leader Paul Thissen of Minneapolis would not go that far, but agreed budget work must come first.
In a radio interview, even the most outspoken same-sex marriage opponent, openly gay Sen. Scott Dibble of Minneapolis, said he did not know if it was time to move forward with changing the law.”
Sorry, but saying that the budget must come first is a cop-out. The legislature can — and does — consider dozens of issues at one time. There will be over 110 DFLers in the legislature. Surely two or three of them can take some time to write the bill without taking away from work on the budget. Ater all, a bill to legalize same-sex marriage would probably only need to be a page or two long. It could be written, debated, and signed before the February economic forecast is available.
It could be six words long – “Son, you may kiss the groom” – and the DFL still won’t touch it.
Because gay marriage is worth a lot more to the DFL as a wedge issue than as a bunch of married gays.
The DFL – or, more realistically, the “Alliance for a Better Minnesota”, which does all the DFL’s thinking for it these days – needs to have lots of wedges to wave in front of the low-information, emotionally-manipulable audience that is its main source of voters. And they’re going to need to conserve the ones they have, as the reality – “we just elected a high-tax, high-regulation bunch of government-worker-union stooges in the middle of a crap economy” – sinks in with Minnesotans.
Hey, Minnesotans! Stop the hate!
Hey Jeffy; I’m ROFLMAO!
Another thought; it has been pointed out today that since the majority of the the out state DemocRATs members wouldn’t dare support it, because the highest totals of yes votes on the marriage amendment, came from their constituents. Since most of them are career politicos, none of them want their gravy train to end by being voted out of office over the passage of a gay marriage bill. If Scott Dibble lost his seat, he would probably have to be committed to an insane asylum. Come to think of it, he should already be in one.
So, I read today that ya’ll are sending a bunch of Catapillar jobs down to my good neighbors in Georgia. Can’t imagine why, they laugh themselves blue when the idea that two guys can be married…
Well anyways, on behalf of them, thanks!
Oh, and be sure to thank A-Klo too; if she hadnt voted to tax the crap out of your best industries to fund gubmint doctorin’ St. Jude probably wouldn’t have cancelled a bunch of new equipment, which means I might not have gotten laid off, which means I might not have received that fat offer from Big Pharma to move to the foothills of the Blue Ridge…I love me some A-Klo!
Oh, one more thing… When do ya figure those medi-device companies might be moseyin on down I85? Sure would like to welcome them too!
Oh, one more thing… When do ya figure those medi-device companies might be moseyin on down I85? Sure would like to welcome them too!
I give it five years, Swiftee. A lot of my neighbors work for Medtronic and they are very worried.
Dammit, this will lose me a $10 bet to a very snooty haughty liberal radio producer/gopher at the 2nd best talk station in town 🙁
I think that Medtronic announced a layoff yesterday, 1000 people. Of course, they weren’t the only ones. In addition to the defense industry lay offs of about 43,000 that the Obumbler regime tried to stifle with bribery money from our pockets until after the election, at least 50 companies announced layoffs on Thursday and Friday to the tune of about 70,000. I fear that this is just the beginning as companies react to the financial nightmare of Obamacare.
I had an epiphany overnight. I realized that what the marriage amendment was trying to prevent from happening, will happen now that the DFL legislators and governor have said they won’t push it. I’m sure the judge shopping has already started.
The judge already is assigned, Mary Steenson DeFresne, of Hennepin County. The case has been in the works for ages.
The lawyer for the gay couple says the decision on whether gay marriage should be legal is better made by a judge than by voters. We’ve had commenters here arguing the same thing. Dayton and crew won’t need to pass gay marriage, the trial court will do it for them.
You know, that’s an interesting idea. If judges are so much better at running the state than voters (and by extension, voters’ agents = the legislature), maybe we could shutter the Capitol and save a bundle?
“The legislature can — and does — consider dozens of issues at one time.”
Did Jeff just find this out?
State budget situation is so serious….it’s balanced! Can’t have that!
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