The first time scores of people threatened to kill me on the internet was over this speech (full text) that I gave about marriage equality. You can also view the speech here. That was back in April of 2009. President Biden protected the dignity, happiness and marriages of millions of Americans from state intrusion when he signed the Respect for Marriage Act. The pursuit of happiness and marriage are deeply connected. It should never be denied or obstructed by politicians and pastors who claim God’s authority in a country where church and state are separate.
It’s always refreshing to read a piece by someone who can distinguish between personal religious views and what’s good for a pluralistic society like ours. In my opinion, I don’t feel my heterosexual marriage is threatened in any way by allowing same sex couples to civilly marry and am always puzzled by those who claim it does. You are right to point out that the case can be made that civil divorce can be destructive of society and yet it is allowed. Thanks so much for your honesty and integrity.
Dude, that was a heck of a speech! Well done. I enjoyed reading it and respect everything you said regarding gay marriage. With your permission I will forever quote you and of course give you all the credit. Thank you.
You seemed to have nailed it in the opening comments; declining Republicans voters for various reasons. As you read those lines over, are they still accurate? Love everything you do, although that wasn’t always the case, it is now. Keep strong.
If folks would stop to consider for a moment, why the founding fathers were enlightened. They weren’t enlightened because they had higher IQs. They were enlightened because they knew human nature. They were good psychologists.
The psychological aspect of our politics is sorely missing, and under played. But until politics starts paying attention to the psychology of people, no amount of laws is going to help us.
The founding fathers put the psychology first, made laws based upon what they knew human nature to be . They knew what power did in human hands. They knew what money did in human hands, and they created a generic framework to keep the worst of man in check.
Currently, the ERA amendment has been ratified in all the states. Yet it lies dormant in the Senate, and while almost every group that has been marginalized is being acknowledged in someway , women, over 50% of the population still do not have guaranteed to them by the law rights to contraception their own bodies and their own healthcare decisions. ( I am very happy for the community that this necessary law help so much.)
The psychology of this is a built in framework of dominance. Social constructs of places in the world. Such were our founding fathers. They grappled with the rights of male slaves long before they addressed any rights of voting for women including white women.
I wish people who had a voice would wake the fuck up .
Thank you, as always. You are a man among lesser men. If the Republican Party of today were of character as to offer a candidate such as you, this country would be so much better.
Your speech was wonderful! Too bad the Republican Party ignored the wisdom it conveyed. I have never understood how a marriage between two men or two women could ever threaten a heterosexual marriage. If the conservative movement has ever stood for anything, it is freedom from excessive regulation; limiting marriage to heterosexual people is the poster child of regulation run amok!
Thank you for lifting your voice Steve. Thank you for speaking truth to power. Thank you for risking your life to defend freedom and democracy.
And please keep yourself safe... "the first time scores of people threatened to kill me..." Well, that is so effing scary. I am so sorry that's the price you paid for speaking the truth.
I feel certain that I speak for a lot of Americans when I say ... you are our North Star in this crazy political era. You make us hopeful even when the climate seems bleak. Thanks <3
People who believe in the words contained in our country’s pledge of allegiance, “liberty and justice for all,” owe a debt of gratitude to you Steve, and others like you who have a platform to make your voice heard on this subject, even when it’s hard. Not all of us have that platform. Still, we can stand for what is right by supporting officials and public figures who do the same, by voting, being politically active, writing to our representatives and our local newspapers, and by standing for what is right and moral in our personal lives, our communities, schools, places of worship and workplaces. Let freedom ring! With deep respect.
That was a really great speech, but my takeaway is your audience didn’t listen very well. Apart from that, I think that You, Mr. Schmidt, are a truly remarkable person. And I thoroughly enjoy everything you write. Kudos.
Wonderful speech. We are privileged to have you now on the Democratic and Independent side of things where we can hear you far more often and where your voice can make a significant difference. Love your conviction and courage along with your high gift with words.
Indeed Steve, you should be proud. I do believe we need to learn to separate Religion/Politics. It is another place where Government has no business in our personal spaces. Nor should they be dictating “how we should think” about our personal space. I, too, love your Honesty and Integrity. When you speak, (I love listening) you “command” respect. Love it.🇺🇸🥰
Again, I appreciate you and all your writings. You have my admiration and total respect. I especially just enjoyed listening to the speech you made in 2008 about marriage equality. No surprise...you say what you mean and mean what you say. You give me hope. Thank you again.
Steve, I have always respected your commentary whenever I have seen you on MSNBC. But I have a whole new appreciation of you, your clear-headedness, your passion, your wisdom, and you elegant articulation of what you believe. THANK YOU for providing something of a lodestar!
It’s always refreshing to read a piece by someone who can distinguish between personal religious views and what’s good for a pluralistic society like ours. In my opinion, I don’t feel my heterosexual marriage is threatened in any way by allowing same sex couples to civilly marry and am always puzzled by those who claim it does. You are right to point out that the case can be made that civil divorce can be destructive of society and yet it is allowed. Thanks so much for your honesty and integrity.
Thank you, Steve, "Our national creed is a declaration of natural rights not a compact for the preservation of social customs..."
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness for ALL.
Dude, that was a heck of a speech! Well done. I enjoyed reading it and respect everything you said regarding gay marriage. With your permission I will forever quote you and of course give you all the credit. Thank you.
You seemed to have nailed it in the opening comments; declining Republicans voters for various reasons. As you read those lines over, are they still accurate? Love everything you do, although that wasn’t always the case, it is now. Keep strong.
If folks would stop to consider for a moment, why the founding fathers were enlightened. They weren’t enlightened because they had higher IQs. They were enlightened because they knew human nature. They were good psychologists.
The psychological aspect of our politics is sorely missing, and under played. But until politics starts paying attention to the psychology of people, no amount of laws is going to help us.
The founding fathers put the psychology first, made laws based upon what they knew human nature to be . They knew what power did in human hands. They knew what money did in human hands, and they created a generic framework to keep the worst of man in check.
Currently, the ERA amendment has been ratified in all the states. Yet it lies dormant in the Senate, and while almost every group that has been marginalized is being acknowledged in someway , women, over 50% of the population still do not have guaranteed to them by the law rights to contraception their own bodies and their own healthcare decisions. ( I am very happy for the community that this necessary law help so much.)
The psychology of this is a built in framework of dominance. Social constructs of places in the world. Such were our founding fathers. They grappled with the rights of male slaves long before they addressed any rights of voting for women including white women.
I wish people who had a voice would wake the fuck up .
 None of us are free until all of us are free.
This vow should be by all of us, for all of us. I can’t tell you how much I admire your courage.
Thank you, as always. You are a man among lesser men. If the Republican Party of today were of character as to offer a candidate such as you, this country would be so much better.
Your speech was wonderful! Too bad the Republican Party ignored the wisdom it conveyed. I have never understood how a marriage between two men or two women could ever threaten a heterosexual marriage. If the conservative movement has ever stood for anything, it is freedom from excessive regulation; limiting marriage to heterosexual people is the poster child of regulation run amok!
Thank you for lifting your voice Steve. Thank you for speaking truth to power. Thank you for risking your life to defend freedom and democracy.
And please keep yourself safe... "the first time scores of people threatened to kill me..." Well, that is so effing scary. I am so sorry that's the price you paid for speaking the truth.
Steve,
I feel certain that I speak for a lot of Americans when I say ... you are our North Star in this crazy political era. You make us hopeful even when the climate seems bleak. Thanks <3
Thank you for your conviction and sense of purpose.
People who believe in the words contained in our country’s pledge of allegiance, “liberty and justice for all,” owe a debt of gratitude to you Steve, and others like you who have a platform to make your voice heard on this subject, even when it’s hard. Not all of us have that platform. Still, we can stand for what is right by supporting officials and public figures who do the same, by voting, being politically active, writing to our representatives and our local newspapers, and by standing for what is right and moral in our personal lives, our communities, schools, places of worship and workplaces. Let freedom ring! With deep respect.
That was a really great speech, but my takeaway is your audience didn’t listen very well. Apart from that, I think that You, Mr. Schmidt, are a truly remarkable person. And I thoroughly enjoy everything you write. Kudos.
Wonderful speech. We are privileged to have you now on the Democratic and Independent side of things where we can hear you far more often and where your voice can make a significant difference. Love your conviction and courage along with your high gift with words.
Indeed Steve, you should be proud. I do believe we need to learn to separate Religion/Politics. It is another place where Government has no business in our personal spaces. Nor should they be dictating “how we should think” about our personal space. I, too, love your Honesty and Integrity. When you speak, (I love listening) you “command” respect. Love it.🇺🇸🥰
Again, I appreciate you and all your writings. You have my admiration and total respect. I especially just enjoyed listening to the speech you made in 2008 about marriage equality. No surprise...you say what you mean and mean what you say. You give me hope. Thank you again.
Steve, I have always respected your commentary whenever I have seen you on MSNBC. But I have a whole new appreciation of you, your clear-headedness, your passion, your wisdom, and you elegant articulation of what you believe. THANK YOU for providing something of a lodestar!
Happy Holidays to you, and please keep it up.