http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_Protection_Clause#Suspect_classes

The right to discriminate against black people WAS left to the states, and was only eradicated by the US Constitution via Supreme Court. Gay people don’t have constitutional protection, and that sucks, but that’s the way it is.

Of course government can discriminate - it does so all the time. And of course, if you want to move to MA or CA because you want equal rights, you can do so. You’re allowed to move from state to state.

As for the “quality” of Palin’s political accomplishments versus Obama et al, well, I leave that to each voter to decide for him/herself. I’m still on the fence, honestly, about where my vote will go. I supported Hillary (big surprise), and Obama does not impress me. I’m still not seeing substance there. And I don’t like that McCain has been pandering to conservatives, but I have liked him in the past. In regard to Palin herself, personally, I think she has a kind of Everywoman cool (”hockeymom”-ness and all) that Hillary was never quite able to register, and I freeekin’ LOVE me some Hillary! We’ll see how well Palin fares in the coming weeks and in her debate with Biden. It’s a tough one IMHO.

I always love it when people say the above. I wonder if we had left the right to discriminate against blacks to the state how that would have gone?

A state has no more right to discriminate and say no than does the federal government.

By definition it tells us where we should live to be treated equally.

I agree that the people should hold public officials accountable, but Obama IS by far the most pro-gay presidential candidate in American history.

Read about his positions. He is on the right side of every “gay issue” except (arguably) marriage. In particular, he supports a repeal of DOMA (Hillary did not, if I remember correctly) and he wants to extend FEDERAL RIGHTS to those in civil unions and gay marriages from CA/MA — that is HUGE. And frankly, that is the most the federal government can and should do. Marriage is a state issue, and the federal government simply should recognize valid marriages performed in any state, and provide rights/benefits that accompany them. That is Obama’s position — it is a revolution in gay rights.

Obama is not perfect, and I don’t know how much of his LGBT agenda he can get through Congress — our efforts should be focused on our senators and representatives, especially Democrats from conservative states.

I kind of disagree about the religious people not wanting the govt. in their lives. For most, that is probably true. But for the Fundamentalists who have hijacked our govt., this is exactly what they want. Their goal is complete moral control of the masses through legislation. I have a crazy, “born-again” fundie sister who belongs to one of those Cult Mega-Churches and the things that she says! Incredible!