The DNC's Annual Report to the Grassroots... where do we fit in?

[Meldread]

Well I made a quick scan of the DNC's Annual Report to the Grassroots and I have to say... I'm not all that impressed. I'm neither inspired nor am I feeling hopeful for the future. Where do LBGT fit in? My guess is no where, below is what is taken from the "Focus On Our Core Values" section.

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Never Backing Down: Governor Dean has lived up to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s call to never remain silent about the things that matter. From the failed management of the war in Iraq to the moral crisis of 45 million people without access to healthcare, he has shown honesty and backbone and encouraged more Democrats to do the same.

A Clear Agenda: Working with other party leaders, we have created and begun to communicate a clear agenda for change:
Honest Leadership and Open Government -- We will end the Republican culture of corruption and restore a sense of responsibility to elected office, and we will pass fundamental reforms that make government more honest, open, and accountable to the American people than ever before.

Real Security -- We will protect Americans at home by getting serious about homeland security, and address the real threats abroad by capturing or killing Osama bin Laden and focusing on actual (not imagined) nuclear proliferation. We will be prepared for the threats of tomorrow, and we will always tell the truth to our troops and the American people.

Jobs in America that will Stay in America -- We will keep good jobs from leaving and ensure that every job in America is a fair deal. We will balance the budget, ensure that the tax code is simple and fair, and create jobs by making America energy independent.

A Strong Public Education System -- We will strengthen our nation’s public schools to restore opportunity and optimism for every American.

A Health Care System that Works for Everyone -- We will join every other industrialized country by making sure everyone has access to affordable health care. We will change a corrupt, inefficient system into one that makes sure the world’s wealthiest country is also the healthiest.
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Those are all well and nice, but I think it's more than a little... underhanded... to use Dr. King's name under "core values", yet mention nothing about Civil Rights. All the things listed above are important, but what about LGBT people? I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman Dean... I don't find it very selfish to think my personal rights are too much to ask for, nor is it selfish to demand that it be priority number one on the Democratic Agenda. It's certainly my first priority. Sorry if Freedom, Liberty, and Justice have only become buzzwords. I'm sure the DNC knows that Mrs. King supported LGBT Rights including marriage and said her husband did as well. Using his name and not including at least a general statement on civil rights is a bit... well... it feels like name dropping to me.

I wish the Democratic Party would just come right out and tell LGBT people to screw off because they have no intention of advocating for us. At least then we'd be able to all end up on the same page and go somewhere else. I'm not stupid, and I don't like being lead on and used. I supported Dean for Chairman and for President, but I find that I am more and more regretting lending my support to him. I was supporting Dean long before most people even knew who he was simply based on the fact that he signed Civil Unions into law in Vermont and lent support to them afterward. Damn it, he could at least advocate for Civil Unions something that 70% of the damn country supports! I am disappointed to say the least.

I have a feeling that I am rapidly becoming a one issue voter. I dislike that, but on the same token my civil rights are too important to me not to...

You can view this Annual Report at: http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/02/annual_report_t.php