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Speak Out: A look at Congress

by Eric Rader

As Michigan goes, so goes the nation.
In the 20th century, Michigan's manufacturing-based economy helped put our state at the center of American prosperity. Now, of course, as manufacturing jobs have significantly dwindled, we are at the epicenter of the Great Recession. Michigan's central economic role has also carried over into the political realm. Throughout the past 100 years, Michigan voters have usually supported the national party winner in elections for president and Congress. In the second decade of the 21st century, Michigan continues to serve as a political bellwether for the nation.
In the last two national elections, the Democratic Party has secured big victories in races for Congress nationally and in Michigan, winning a number of so-called "competitive" House seats around the country and even in several reliably Republican districts.
In 2008, Rep. Joe Knollenberg (Bloomfield Township), a longtime Republican congressman, was defeated by Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Hills), a former state senator and state lottery director. Meanwhile, State Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek) defeated one-term Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Tipton). Walberg had won the seat in 2006 after defeating moderate (and pro-gay equality) Rep. Joe Schwarz (Battle Creek) in a Republican primary. The Peters and Schauer seats are in districts that are generally more moderate to conservative, and both representatives face difficult races this year.
Rep. Schauer could possibly face a rematch with the man he defeated, former Rep. Walberg. However, Walberg, an extremely conservative (and anti-LGBT equality) candidate, is facing a primary battle with an equally reactionary opponent. In the Oakland County race, Rep. Peters' challenger may be former state Rep. Rocky Raczkowski (R-Farmington Hills), a right-winger who lost in a landslide to Sen. Carl Levin in the 2002 U.S. Senate race in Michigan.
The results of this year's elections for Congress matter a lot to the LGBT community.
While President Barack Obama supports our community on a number of issues, unilateral executive action provides only a limited means of achieving true equality. In order to expand LGBT rights to the nation, Congress must pass legislation for the president to sign.
Several issues on which the president has indicated support for our community include repeal of both the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military policy and Defense of Marriage Act, as well as passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Given the obstructionist legislative maneuvers used by congressional Republicans this past year on other issues, swift action on these matters seems unlikely. If partisan control of Congress changes as a result of the 2010 elections, there is virtually no chance that these or other LGBT-equality measures would be considered next year.
Michigan-wise, Reps. Schauer and Peters support the LGBT community on issues of equality while their Republican opponents do not. When the Republicans last controlled Congress, the LGBT community faced outright hostility from the leaders of the legislative branch, culminating in a failed effort several years ago to amend the U.S. Constitution to prohibit gay marriage across the nation. Presidents do not have a direct say on constitutional amendments, meaning that President Obama would not be able to veto a similar effort in a future Congress.
While progress may seem slow, there have been some positive legislative actions on LGBT issues in the past year, including passage of a major federal hate crimes law.
The future of LGBT equality depends a lot on what happens in this year's elections. Please stay informed about the races in Michigan, especially if you live in one of the targeted districts; support candidates who support our community. Neither of Michigan's two U.S. senators is up for election this year, but all 15 of our state's U.S representatives are on the ballot.
In a year when a Republican won Democratic stalwart Ted Kennedy's Senate seat in Massachusetts, the LGBT community can take nothing for granted. Our equality is truly at stake.

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