Don't Ask, Don't Pay!
I have decided to send this letter to all my representatives in the Federal government and return it (postage free) whenever I get a mailing
from the Democratic Party asking for funds or membership dues:
June 18, 2009
To: All members of the DNC and our elected representatives
President Obama
Speaker Pelosi
Senator Boxer
Senator Feinstein
Re: Don’t Ask Don’t Pay
Dear DNC and members,
I am a gay man whose marriage to another man was declared legal in California by the California Supreme Court in a case they heard regarding proposition 8 in 2009. I have waited since before the Clinton administration listening to promises by various candidates to whom I have given, within my means, money for their campaigns and to be a member of the DNC. I have waited long enough. I have instituted a policy of “Don’t ask, don’t pay” regarding any funds I may donate to the DNC or my representatives. This will be in effect until I feel I am considered a fully participating American citizen with full rights of marriage, and until any anti-gay legislation is removed by the Congress and signed by the President.
These items include:
1.Repeal of “Don’t ask, don’t tell.”
2.Marriage equality including:
a. Repeal of DOMA
b. Full hospital visitation rights in all states whether they agree with same-sex
marriage or not.
c. Immigration rights to unite married couples where one partner is not a citizen yet.
d. Ability to file joint IRS returns with my spouse.
3.Stop imputing taxes for health insurance as a benefit I obtain through my spouse's employment
where no heterosexual married couples have to pay them.
4.Hate crimes bill with true enforcement to protect me and all LGBT people.
As I have said, we have waited long enough. Now it is time for you to wait for funding from people like me in the LGBT community. Fair is fair. We will not be used as a wedge issue, be thrown under the bus, or tossed a placating bone by the President anymore.
So if you want us to support you in the future, I suggest you get to work!!
Sincerely,
Steven M. Zink
P.S. Before the disgustingly worded decision from the Justice Department supporting DOMA, I was willing to wait until the urgent business of the government was well underway such as fixing our financial crisis and universal health care. But because there was no editing of the wording of the decision by the President or his staff, I have instituted this policy.
from the Democratic Party asking for funds or membership dues:
June 18, 2009
To: All members of the DNC and our elected representatives
President Obama
Speaker Pelosi
Senator Boxer
Senator Feinstein
Re: Don’t Ask Don’t Pay
Dear DNC and members,
I am a gay man whose marriage to another man was declared legal in California by the California Supreme Court in a case they heard regarding proposition 8 in 2009. I have waited since before the Clinton administration listening to promises by various candidates to whom I have given, within my means, money for their campaigns and to be a member of the DNC. I have waited long enough. I have instituted a policy of “Don’t ask, don’t pay” regarding any funds I may donate to the DNC or my representatives. This will be in effect until I feel I am considered a fully participating American citizen with full rights of marriage, and until any anti-gay legislation is removed by the Congress and signed by the President.
These items include:
1.Repeal of “Don’t ask, don’t tell.”
2.Marriage equality including:
a. Repeal of DOMA
b. Full hospital visitation rights in all states whether they agree with same-sex
marriage or not.
c. Immigration rights to unite married couples where one partner is not a citizen yet.
d. Ability to file joint IRS returns with my spouse.
3.Stop imputing taxes for health insurance as a benefit I obtain through my spouse's employment
where no heterosexual married couples have to pay them.
4.Hate crimes bill with true enforcement to protect me and all LGBT people.
As I have said, we have waited long enough. Now it is time for you to wait for funding from people like me in the LGBT community. Fair is fair. We will not be used as a wedge issue, be thrown under the bus, or tossed a placating bone by the President anymore.
So if you want us to support you in the future, I suggest you get to work!!
Sincerely,
Steven M. Zink
P.S. Before the disgustingly worded decision from the Justice Department supporting DOMA, I was willing to wait until the urgent business of the government was well underway such as fixing our financial crisis and universal health care. But because there was no editing of the wording of the decision by the President or his staff, I have instituted this policy.