In a Diverse New Congress, Several 'Firsts'

[question everything]

The new Congress to be sworn in on Thursday will be the most diverse ever, with women, minorities and gays making large gains in a shift that underscores the political effect of changing demographics and social mores.

In addition to the greater minority makeup across Congress, the House will have its first Hindu member, its first female combat veterans and its first openly bisexual member. The Senate will have its first Buddhist.

The increased diversity comes mainly among House Democrats, with the Republican conference made up overwhelmingly of white, Christian males. That split in some ways reflects the divide in the electorate in last year's presidential race, with President Barack Obama winning convincingly among minorities, women and gays while losing white voters to Republican Mitt Romney.

More..

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/diverse-congress-several-firsts-020400675.html

(no kidding..)

[question everything]

1. Kick for the evening crowd (nt)

[dsc]

2. It wasn't all positive for LGBT

we traded power (Frank, and Baldwin in the House) for numbers (3 new LGBT in House and Baldwin in the Senate). In the short run we are likely actually slightly worse off in terms of gays having power but in the long term it should be a great thing.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

5. I'm sort of confused about what you are saying with your response

The important thing IMHO is not how many LGBTs we have in Congress or how much "power" they might have but rather that people- regardless of their sexual/gender orientation- are able to get elected to local, state, and national office without having their sexual/gender orientation be the kind of "issue" with voters that it once was. I think that it's awesome that we now an openly gay woman in the US Senate and, for me, having an openly bisexual woman in the House (who was also *bold* enough to refuse to list any religious affiliation as practicing religion seems to practically be mandatory for people in public office) but, at the end of the day, what will matter the most is how effectively they serve the country and their constituents.

[dsc]

6. That is the plus side

the downside is that we have no gay person who will have a chair gavel for a long, long time and that matters. Now maybe someone will rise in the non seniority leadership positions which would help alot. Madison sending a gay man to replace a gay woman was quite amazing. Baldwin winning was also amazing. But the loss of Frank's power is a big hit.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

7. I'll miss Frank too

He might be temporarily taking over for Kerry once he steps down though, which would be really cool!

[Filibuster Harry]

3. Is is true that the dumbass R Bachmann brought up the repeal of the Health

Care Act as this congress' FIRST act?

[question everything]

4. Yes. She HAS to keep her name in the news

Obsessive, really.