A Liberal Who Thinks Chick-fil-A Owner has the Right to His Beliefs!

By Mildred Robertson

It is troubling that pundits and politicos have chosen to participate in attacking Chick-fil-A owner and COO Dan Cathy for his belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. That may sound like some Tea Party rhetoric, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, I am a die-hard Progressive who believes in equal rights, human dignity and the American way.

Just as gay couples and those who support gay marriage have a right to choose their lifestyle and to live it in peace without discrimination from society or government intervention, so does Mr. Cathy. His assertion that, for him, marriage is between one man and one woman may offend some who believe differently, but it is his right to believe it.

Now, if we were talking about a ban on hiring gays, or mistreating gays who were in his employ or who patronize his restaurant, we would be having a different conversation. But there appears to be no evidence to support that assumption.

This is a devout man who has publicly lived a life that he believes honors God and his commandments as he understands them. The many Sundays I have passed a darkened Chick-fil-A (quietly wishing for a sandwich) I have been impressed that he would give up revenue to honor his beliefs. It is a huge testament to his commitment to his faith. I respect that. There are far too many of us who talk the talk, but do not walk the walk.

I also understand the reaction of the gay community when it says it does not want to patronize a company that does not respect them or their lifestyle. If a business is not in step with community attitudes and values, then, generaly, their cash register will reflect that fact.  I do not, however, understand government entities that would threaten to block the location of his business in their community or who would deny him necessary licenses or building permits. I see nothing in our Constitution that supports that position.

America was founded upon the premise that each of us could hold and practice our own belief system as long as those practices do not infringe on the rights of others. While his beliefs may offend some, they do not infringe upon anyone’s rights.

I staunchly support the right of individuals to make their own lifestyle choices. That includes Mr. Cathy. If you so choose, stop buying his chicken. Otherwise, leave the man alone.

"You Didn't Build That"-- What Obama REALLY said!

By Mildred Robertson

Okay, the GOP is at again. They have taken some positive comments from the President, and distorted them to create a false campaign that alleges that Barack Obama is un-American, and does not give credit to hard-working Americans who have created businesses across this country, and provided the engine for its economic growth. 

The heart of GOP ad campaign against the President uses his own words to indict him.

But it is all a lie.

The ad insinuates that Obama tells American entrepreneurs that they are not responsible for the companies they and their forefathers built.

Again, a lie!

What Obama is actually referring to is the infrastructure essential for business growth in this country; infrastructure that is primarily funded by the government. That means structures such as roads, bridges, and railways, essential to moving merchandise and transacting business; support services such as police, firefighters, and the military necessary to keep us safe and ensure our ability to safely transact business; government entities that help to support interstate and international commerce. These assets all create a climate where businesses can thrive.

It is disingenuous of the GOP to distort these words to insinuate that the President does not support hard-working Americans, or understand their contribution to our economy and our society.

We cannot sit idly by and allow the distortion of truth to prevail. If you don't support President Obama because of his policies, fine! But let those decisions be based on fact.

The fact is his policies:

•  helped keep the nation's economy from going off a cliff; avoiding an even greater recession
• saved the auto industry
•  ensured that millions of Americans will have access to affordable healthcare
•  rid the world of Osama Bin Laden
• established a credit card bill of rights
• expanded loan programs for small businesses
• extended the Bush tax cuts for lower income
• closed the “doughnut hole” in Medicare prescription drug plan
• require insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions
• give tax credits to those who need help to pay health premiu
• require large employers to contribute to a national health plan
• require children to have health insurance coverage
• expand eligibility for Medicaid
• require health plans to disclose how much of the premium goes to patient care
• reinstate an executive order to hire an additional 100,000 federal employees with disabilities within five years.
• fully fund the Veterans Administration
• fully fund the Violence Against Women Act
• began removing combat brigades from Iraq
• make U.S. military aid to Pakistan conditional on anti-terror efforts
• seek verifiable reductions in nuclear stockpiles
• recruit math and science degree graduates to the teaching profession
• reduce subsidies to private student lenders and protect student borrowers
• increase funding for national parks and forests
• expand Pell grants for low-income students
• rebuild schools in New Orleans
• create new financial regulations
• ban lobbyist gifts to executive employees
• create a “universal” health care bill
• create new criminal penalties for mortgage fraud
• raise fuel economy standards
• invest in all types of alternative energy
• invest in public transportation
• double federal spending for research on clean fuels
• increase funding for the Environmental Protection Agency
• extend unemployment insurance benefits and temporarily suspend taxes on these benefits

And this is just a short list of his accomplishments! Research them for your self. At the end of that research, if you think he is not the best choice for America, then vote for someone else. But please don't make your decision based on lies and misleading facts by the GOP.

Our future is too important for it to be based upon a lie!