Gay Economics?
| By ranger - Feb 19th, 2009 at 10:42 am PST |
| Also listed in: Gays United Network |
The Rise of the Creative Class….a book by Richard Florida…. has again posed the question of how much "Gay" economics and creativity are somewhat responsible for the growth and stability of the United States.
Various marketing/demographic studies have been done, in the past, and are continuing to be done, around the world, not only of the spending power of our sub-culture, but also, of our contributions to society, as a whole. We are not alone in this……
I have been reading about Baltimore, Maryland, where there has been a massive influx of capital, into the "Gay" areas of the city, including buildings for GLBT organizations, charities and various other "necessities" of our lives. There are even pride colors predominately displayed, in various ways, throughout the areas themselves, and in the City. Perhaps, Baltimore, being a, now, progressive city, has realized the financial and growth aspects of our community, and is acknowledging the power that exists in this.
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum:
In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, The Governor is not renewing the anti-discrimination laws that have been in existence for previous 2 administrations.
Since Houston's economy is seemingly built on "dinosaurs", (fossil fuels, get it Blanche?), perhaps, it would be an idea, for all of us here to come out of the pre-historic age, and into the new millennia (what a queer idea….unique, different…oh well, I'm thinking again.)
There is a lot of talk about Reganomics, and its lasting effects on the U.S. Now, the headlines in the Sunday New York Times Magazine, OBAMANOMICS! Wow, a Democrat Republican, and now a Democrat, concerned about Economy (there seems to be a continuum here, of some nature). I wonder, exactly, which economics they are looking at, and who will be affected by the latest in this enormous campaign (I believe it might just parallel the money China spent on the Olympics….or at least run a close second) instead of dealing with the issues themselves.
As a community, nationwide, we took a stand, in 1969, beginning with the Stonewall Riots, when we, as a community stood up, took the blows, but let the world know that we are here, and we are different, Queer, and will be accepted with our influence to be known.
That led to major changes in the United States, as we knew it then (Yes, I was alive).
There are still issues that affect all of us, no matter what the social or societal norms are. Among them, in my eyes are:
Income Tax, Support Issues….
We, as a community, pay a per capita rate, far above the Heterosexual community. We, by and large, through our taxes, are providing funds for their children's education. I know, many of us have children, and I am not negating that at all, HOWEVER, Children are born into a situation, supposedly of love and respect, and the parents have certain responsibilities to adhere to. I don't see a child as a tax write off, rather, a lifetime commitment by the parents, #1, and by the community of the United States, #2. I would like the same tax breaks, or others that are given for these issues, and have the right to support education, as well as other things, as I and my partner seem fit.
While I'm on my soapbox…let me further venture into the realm of controversy by adding, "Why don't we, as Americans, bring back all the outsourced jobs to our country and put America Back To Work? That might solve some economic issues, as well as societal issues that are currently vividly present. This seems to be a very simple situation, with a very simple solution.
There are keywords that have been a standard in our community for decades (yes Blanche, I've been around a while.) Honor, Respect, and Loyalty. Perhaps it's time we push for these standards to prevail in our elected officials as well as in the US of A!
As we come into the season of Party Conventions, and the selection of Candidates for President and Vice President of the United States, I'm asking everyone, to stand tall, ask questions, demand that these officials and candidates, come to us, and let us ask questions. Hopefully, this could open other avenues of communication that could lead to even greater solutions/answers, to the many situations we face on a daily basis. It's time to end discrimination, hate, lack of acceptance, and other issues within these United States of America (the social experiment that has worked for at least a couple of centuries), then we can make a stronger push for these rights in other governmental institutions around the world! (humm, governing the mental?)
There is strength in Diversity, a certain power in being different, and acknowledging, accepting and understanding those differences, even within our own Community. With that strength and power, we can move forward together, as a community and as a civilization!
Queernomics?
Well, we are who we are, and we're not going anywhere. We seem to have been around for Millenia! AND,
WE'RE HERE TO STAY!
REGAMONICS
OBAMANOMICS
QUEERNOMICS
Which do you really want?
Various marketing/demographic studies have been done, in the past, and are continuing to be done, around the world, not only of the spending power of our sub-culture, but also, of our contributions to society, as a whole. We are not alone in this……
I have been reading about Baltimore, Maryland, where there has been a massive influx of capital, into the "Gay" areas of the city, including buildings for GLBT organizations, charities and various other "necessities" of our lives. There are even pride colors predominately displayed, in various ways, throughout the areas themselves, and in the City. Perhaps, Baltimore, being a, now, progressive city, has realized the financial and growth aspects of our community, and is acknowledging the power that exists in this.
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum:
In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, The Governor is not renewing the anti-discrimination laws that have been in existence for previous 2 administrations.
Since Houston's economy is seemingly built on "dinosaurs", (fossil fuels, get it Blanche?), perhaps, it would be an idea, for all of us here to come out of the pre-historic age, and into the new millennia (what a queer idea….unique, different…oh well, I'm thinking again.)
There is a lot of talk about Reganomics, and its lasting effects on the U.S. Now, the headlines in the Sunday New York Times Magazine, OBAMANOMICS! Wow, a Democrat Republican, and now a Democrat, concerned about Economy (there seems to be a continuum here, of some nature). I wonder, exactly, which economics they are looking at, and who will be affected by the latest in this enormous campaign (I believe it might just parallel the money China spent on the Olympics….or at least run a close second) instead of dealing with the issues themselves.
As a community, nationwide, we took a stand, in 1969, beginning with the Stonewall Riots, when we, as a community stood up, took the blows, but let the world know that we are here, and we are different, Queer, and will be accepted with our influence to be known.
That led to major changes in the United States, as we knew it then (Yes, I was alive).
There are still issues that affect all of us, no matter what the social or societal norms are. Among them, in my eyes are:
Income Tax, Support Issues….
We, as a community, pay a per capita rate, far above the Heterosexual community. We, by and large, through our taxes, are providing funds for their children's education. I know, many of us have children, and I am not negating that at all, HOWEVER, Children are born into a situation, supposedly of love and respect, and the parents have certain responsibilities to adhere to. I don't see a child as a tax write off, rather, a lifetime commitment by the parents, #1, and by the community of the United States, #2. I would like the same tax breaks, or others that are given for these issues, and have the right to support education, as well as other things, as I and my partner seem fit.
While I'm on my soapbox…let me further venture into the realm of controversy by adding, "Why don't we, as Americans, bring back all the outsourced jobs to our country and put America Back To Work? That might solve some economic issues, as well as societal issues that are currently vividly present. This seems to be a very simple situation, with a very simple solution.
There are keywords that have been a standard in our community for decades (yes Blanche, I've been around a while.) Honor, Respect, and Loyalty. Perhaps it's time we push for these standards to prevail in our elected officials as well as in the US of A!
As we come into the season of Party Conventions, and the selection of Candidates for President and Vice President of the United States, I'm asking everyone, to stand tall, ask questions, demand that these officials and candidates, come to us, and let us ask questions. Hopefully, this could open other avenues of communication that could lead to even greater solutions/answers, to the many situations we face on a daily basis. It's time to end discrimination, hate, lack of acceptance, and other issues within these United States of America (the social experiment that has worked for at least a couple of centuries), then we can make a stronger push for these rights in other governmental institutions around the world! (humm, governing the mental?)
There is strength in Diversity, a certain power in being different, and acknowledging, accepting and understanding those differences, even within our own Community. With that strength and power, we can move forward together, as a community and as a civilization!
Queernomics?
Well, we are who we are, and we're not going anywhere. We seem to have been around for Millenia! AND,
WE'RE HERE TO STAY!
REGAMONICS
OBAMANOMICS
QUEERNOMICS
Which do you really want?
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