BY SHARON GITTLEMAN
BIRMINGHAM – Economics was the focus of Congressman Joe Knollenberg's talk to a crowd of supporters at the Baldwin Public Library last week – a subject that troubled Log Cabin Republican Vice President Noel Siksai, who attended the Birmingham meeting.
Knollenberg, a Republican, is seeking his eighth term this November representing the 9th Congressional district, a sprawling area from Oakland Township to Farmington Hills and from Waterford to Rochester.
"We've got some concerns about Joe," said Siksai. "He's not somebody the GLBT community can count on."
Knollenberg's website notes his support for the recent Michigan Constitutional Amendment defining marriage as being between one man and one woman. He also described Justice Samuel Alito as an "outstanding choice" for the U.S. Supreme Court. Every major LGBT rights group opposed Alito.
At the meeting, 40 people gathered to hear Knollenberg speak about the need to cut taxes and reduce spending, waste, fraud and abuse.
"We have the highest unemployment rate of any state in the country except Louisiana," said Knollenberg. "It would help greatly if the Governor would get rid of the single business tax."
Knollenberg said constituents have expressed more concerns about economic problems than social matters.
"People want more jobs," he said. "Beyond that, you have the war on terror, homeland security and border issues."
Why should LGBT people cast their ballots for Knollenberg?
"They should vote for me because they know who I am," he said. "I have a job to do that relates to everyone's interests."
Before the meeting, Siksai said he was concerned about the economic effect of some of Knollenberg's actions in Congress.
"He's been right there voting for bills that have increased the deficit – the defense bills. I know he will say these are dangerous times, with terrorism," said Siksai. "But we can still have a secure country and we don't have to bankrupt the country."
One Republican activist at the meeting said gays and lesbians had a place in his party.
"We like to think we're the big tent. There's room for everyone – not just our Christian Right friends," said the man, who asked not to be identified. "There's going to be things we won't agree on. But we try to find common ground."
Siksai said many gays' and lesbians' distaste for the Republican Party is based on ignorance.
"Traditional Republican philosophy believes in small government that empowers individuals to make their own decisions and the best government is that which governs least," he said. "It keeps government out of our back pockets and out of our bedrooms."
When it comes to politics, wealth is a big plus for gay people, said Siksai.
"The GLBT market is a $610 billion market," he said. "That's a lot of economic muscle."
Siksai said he wishes the LGBT community would lose its "Democrat good – Republican bad" mindset.
"If we had enough gays and lesbians in the Republican Party, maybe things will change," he said. "Democrats will take our money, make us promises and sell us down the river."
