The Republican Governor of Florida spoke out against pointless anti-gay marriage bans. I’m glad to hear a conservative in a position of power with some sense in their heads speak up about this. He’s apparently known for “pragmatism over ideology”. What a concept! That right there rises him above the rank and file of the Republican party that kowtow to the religious right and don’t speak up about it. This is the kind of conservative I could have in office. I might disagree with them on some issues, but I know they would be level-headed, practical, and avoid wedge issues because they just cause division and hate.
The truth is I know like most people that the vast majority of the Republican party are socially moderate, fiscally conservative and generally very rational. The problem is the socially conservative, war hawkish, fiscally…incompetent? far right wing have grabbed hold of the party for several years and viciously lash out at anyone who steps out of line. Thus, dissent from the larger moderate majority has been reduced to a whisper. It’s good to see that (possibly) changing. When we start focusing again on issues like health care, education, financial stabillity of the country, etc. (issues that matter) and walk away from wedge issues like abortion and gay rights and just let them gradually change, state by state as people sort out for themselves what really needs to be done, we’ll find much of the acrimonious partisanship will fade away. In wedge issues people often only see one right way: it’s black or white. In issues like “how do we ensure kids get a good education?” Everyone comes together and a number of ideas form into a solution.
He instead thinks the Republican party should focus on issues like…public safety, taxes, etc. You know, things that actually matter!